ARM2c Richard Paruso flew on the historic long-range strike against the Japanese fleet during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. His pilot was Ltjg John Slightom and the gunner was AOM2c Augie Whitman. 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. Immediately after dropping their torpedo Petty Officer Paruso and AOM2c Whitman fended off a determined attack by two enemy fighter planes.

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. They were one of the lucky ones as they finally landed aboard the USS Princeton. 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)

USS Yorktown War Diary (pg 1 of 6)

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

Above is the USS Yorktown War Diary entry for June 20th (6 pages, VT-1 aircraft involvement highlighted in yellow) and Aircraft Action Report (5 pages).

Cover of 1944 Flying magazine

1944 Flying magazine page 278 (article on "Aircrewmen")

Excerpt from article in the 1944 issue of Flying magazine (above) discussing the actions of Richard Paruso and crew during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In total ARM2c Paruso may have made 14 combat strikes with VT-1 (original squadron) from June to July 1944.

The Dayton Herald Nov 20th 1944

R Hoefer (1921)