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.

Ltjg Slightom flew on the historic long-range strike against the Japanese fleet during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. With John Slightom was turret gunner August Whitman and radioman Richard Paruso. 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 his torpedo Ltjg Slightom and his two crewmen fought 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.

Yorktown War Diary (pg 1 of 6)

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

USS Yorktown War Diary entry for June 20th (above, 6 pages) provides a good general overview of the action with VT-1 aircraft involvement highlighted in yellow. This VT-1 "Aircraft Action Report" for 20 Jun 1944 (above, 5 pages) provides a definitive account of events. _Ltjg John Day Slightom was awarded the _Navy Cross_ for "extraordinary heroism" in the Battle of the Philippine Sea._ He may have made a total of 14 combat strikes with VT-1 from June to July 1944.

John Slightom (1918)