Monday, June 8, 2009

I have the privilege to have helped Harry Ferrier prepare a presentation about his participation in the Battle of Midway.

Harry was a 18 year old Radioman/gunner in one of the 6 Torpedo 8 TBF's that launched from Midway Island and were the first planes to strike the Jap fleet. 5 0f the 6 TBF's were shot down with all hands lost. Harry and his pilot Bert Earnest were the only members of the strike to survive. All 15 of the Torpedo 8 TBD's launched from Hornet, CV8, were lost with only one survivor, Ens. George Gay.

His story is an impressive tribute to the bravery of the pilots and aircrew who turned the tide in the Pacific in 1942. The first hand accounts of both Harry and Bert are below with pictures.

The following video recounts the VT-8 launch from Hornet and the pilots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL_2saZlNjQ&feature=related

I will link the PowerPoint presentation as soon as I figure out how.