Arthur Vincent Ely | |
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![]() Arthur V. Ely, photographed as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy in 1935. | |
Born | March 8, 1912 |
Died | June 4, 1942 | (aged 30)
Place of birth | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Place of death | Pacific Ocean, near Midway Atoll |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1935–1942 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | Torpedo Squadron 6 |
Battles/wars |
World War II Battle of Midway |
Awards | Navy Cross |
Arthur V. Ely (1912–1942) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II.
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Arthur Vincent Ely, born 8 March 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1935. After aviation training he joined Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) in 1938.
Ely piloted a Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber of VT-6, operating off the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), at the Battle of Midway. He was shot down and killed on 4 June 1942 during the battle.
For his vigorous assault on Japanese forces at Midway, Ely was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
Commemoration[]
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Ely (DE-309), launched in 1944 but never completed, was named for Lieutenant Ely.
References[]
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive USS Ely (DE 309)