Oral history interview with Floyd Thorn, 2000 August 14.

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Oral history interview with Floyd Thorn, 2000 August 14.

Interview with Floyd Thorn, a Navy veteran (VP-44), concerning his experiences as a pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His youth in Texas; pre-war flying experience; decision to join the Navy Aviation Cadet Program, 1938; flight training, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida, 1938-39; Mine Warfare Laboratory, Yorktown, Virginia, 1939; operational training, North Island, San Diego, California, 1939-40; assignment to VP-44; training with PBYs, Ford Island, Oahu, Hawaii, 1941; his experiences during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941; temporary duty assignment to Utility Squadron VR-1; temporary assignment to the carrier Yorktown, May, 1942; his role in the Battle of Midway while flying combat air patrol, June 4-6, 1942; his downing of two Zeroes during the Battle of Midway; his crash landing on the Yorktown and suffering a broken back; recuperation in Honolulu; his transfer back to VP-44 in late 1942; PBY patrols around New Caledonia and the New Hebrides Islands, 1942-43; personal experiences with and comments about Admiral William F. ("Bull") Halsey; working with coastwatchers around the Western and Central Solomons and Russell Islands, 1943-44.

72 leaves : facsim. ; 29 cm.

Related Entities

There are 11 Entities related to this resource.

University of North Texas. Oral History Collection.

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World War II Pearl Harbor Survivors (Navy) Oral History Project.

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World War II Pacific Theater (Naval Engagements) Oral History Project.

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United States. Navy. Aviation Cadet Program.

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Yorktown (Aircraft carrier : CV-5)

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The Yorktown was sunk at the Battle of Midway, 1942. From the description of Postal cover, April 4, 1936. (Naval War College). WorldCat record id: 741353717 ...

United States. Navy. Patrol Squadron, 44th.

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Thorn, Floyd, 1918-

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United States. Navy. Utility Squadron, 1st.

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United States. Navy

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68m0zj8 (corporateBody)

Built and launched at New York Navy Yard; commissioned Nov. 12, 1944; scraped in 1993. Served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. From the description of USS Bon Homme Richard (CV/CVA-31) photograph collection 1944-1971. (The Mariners' Museum Library). WorldCat record id: 41657866 The federal government decided in 1941 to send Supply Corps personnel to Harvard Business School for training in the business of equipping the Navy. This was effected by a transfer...

Halsey, William Frederick, 1882-1959

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6639xbs (person)

William Frederick Halsey Jr. (October 30, 1882 – August 16, 1959) was a fleet admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. He was called "Bill" by his family and friends and nicknamed "Bull" by the press. He is one of four individuals to have attained the rank of fleet admiral of the United States Navy, the others being Ernest King, William Leahy, and Chester W. Nimitz. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Halsey graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1904. He served in the Gr...

Alexander, William John, 1855-1944

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cr5t2j (person)

William John Alexadner was born of Scottish parents in Hamilton, Canada West, in 1855. He was educated in Hamilton and at the University of Toronto where he won a scholarship which enabled him to study English at the University of Wales College in Charlottetown for two years. He obtained a PhD in Greek And Philology at the newly constituted Johns Hopkins Unviersity in 1833, and spent a further year studying modern languages in Heidelberg. Dr. Alexander was appointed professor of English language...