The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot June 19th and (long range) attack on the Japanese fleet June 20th

Mark 13 torpedo about to be loaded into the bomb bay of a TBF Avenger

Charles Nelson in #82 about to launch from the Yorktown against the Japanese fleet on the afternoon of June 20th 1944. Both planes in this photo were shot down.

Charlie Nelson gave his life in the historic long-range strike against the Japanese fleet during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. His mission was to deliver the single, massive, 2200-pound Mark 13 torpedo loaded in his bomb bay.

Eight VT-1 planes participated in the strike, five carrying torpedoes, and three with bombs (2000 pounds each). They launched late in the day aware they would test the limits of their fuel range and probably return after dark.

After spotting the Japanese fleet the five VT-1 aircraft with torpedoes immediately maneuvered to make their runs on a Japanese aircraft carrier. Senior pilot Lt Nelson led the attack. He made his run successfully through extremely intense anti-aircraft fire (AA) but was seen to go down in flames during his pull-out. Of the eight VT-1 planes flown that day none made it back to the USS Yorktown.

Two planes were lost to enemy fire and six squadron members killed
Three planes were lost to fuel starvation & forced to ditch at night (all crew members picked up safely)
Three planes landed on other carriers

Yorktown War Diary pg1

Yorktown War Diary pg2

Yorktown War Diary pg3

Yorktown War Diary pg4

Yorktown War Diary pg5

Yorktown War Diary pg6

This USS Yorktown War Diary entry for June 20th (6 pages above) provides a good general overview of the action. VT-1 aircraft involvement highlighted in yellow.

Aircraft Action Report June 20th 1944 pg1

Aircraft Action Report June 20th 1944 pg2

Aircraft Action Report June 20th 1944 pg3

Aircraft Action Report June 20th 1944 pg4

Aircraft Action Report June 20th 1944 pg5

This VT-1 Aircraft Action Report for 20 Jun 1944 (5 pages above) provides a definitive account of events. Also killed was the gunner AOM2c Lyle Young and the radioman ARM2c Conrad Lantron. The aircraft flown that fateful day was a model TBM1-C with side number 82 and bureau number 25277 (sources: Yorktown report, AAIR).

Charles W Nelson