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

Charles Nelson in #82 about to launch to attack the Japanese fleet on June 20th. Both planes in this photo were shot down.

AM1c Clarence Wall flew on the historic long-range strike against the Japanese fleet during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He was crewed with pilot Ltjg Frank Mayock and radioman ARM1c Walter Goscicki. Their mission was to deliver the single, massive 2200-pound Mark 13 torpedo that they carried in their bomb bay.

Eight VT-1 torpedo bombers participated in the strike. Five carried torpedoes and three carried bombs (4 x 500 pounders). They launched late in the day knowing full well that they would test the limits of their fuel range and probably return after dark.

Spotting the Japanese fleet, the five with torpedoes immediately maneuvered to make their runs on a Japanese aircraft carrier (possibly the light carrier Ryuhu). Flight leader Lt Nelson went in first and successfully dropped his torpedo but was shot down as he pulled up over the ship. The others followed and received the same intense anti-aircraft fire (AA) but were able to make it through OK. Two of the torpedoes dropped by VT-1 aircraft hit the enemy carrier. At some point during the engagement Petty Officer Wall's plane sustained elevator damage from the AA but it was still flyable. After releasing their torpedo Petty Officer's Wall and Goscicki had to fend off several attacking enemy fighters with their 50 and 30 caliber guns.

In the dark and low on gas, the return flight was a harrowing experience. It became hectic and chaotic as nearly 200 returning TF-58 planes flying on fumes looked for a carrier to land on. About 80 planes ran out of gas and ditched. Some in desperation crashed trying to get aboard. Petty Officer Wall's plane ditched in the dark (TBM-1C #25328) and they were picked up by the destroyer USS Gatling (DD-671). Of the eight VT-1 planes flown that day none made it back to the USS Yorktown.

Two planes shot down - killed were Nelson, Lantron, Young (in #82) and Carlson, Shea, Trau (in #95)
Three planes lost to fuel starvation & forced to ditch at night - all crew members picked up safely
Three planes landed on other carriers (Enterprise, Princeton, and Lexington)

Yorktown War Diary (pg 1 of 6)

Aircraft Action Report June 20th 1944 (pg 1 of 5)

USS Gatling (DD-671) War Diary for June 20th 1944

USS Yorktown War Diary (6 pages), "Aircraft Action Report" (5 pages), and USS Gatling War Diary (1 page).

Frank Mayock logbook June 1944

AM1c Clarence Wall flew 18 combat hops in June and July 1944. He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Air Medal for actions while deployed on the USS Yorktown.

Clarence Wall (1917)