USN
USS Yorktown
Matt Harris 1997
TIGHAR 2004
Pilot ENS. Herbert R. Hein, Jr. (POW)
Bombardier AOM3c Joseph D Strahl (POW)
Gunner Marshal E. "Windy" Windham
(POW)
Ditched February
1, 1942
Discovered 1997
Mission History
This aircraft participated
in the US Navy's first offensive bombing mission of the war with SDBs
and TBDs from Task Forces 8 (Halsey) and 17 (Fletcher) bombed and bombarded
enemy installations on the islands of Wotje, Kwajalein, Jaluit, Mili and Makin.
This aircraft took off from USS Yorktown as one of eleven TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers and seventeen SBD-3 Dauntless against Jaluit Atoll, all armed with bombs. Rain squalls and low cloud thwarted a coordinated attack.
Two of the TBDs became disoriented over the target headed the wrong way (north not southeast), low on fuel, they radioed that they were going to ditch in Jaluit lagoon. This aircraft and TBD 0298 ditched together. All the crew members survived, and were taken prisoner by the Japanese, and spent the rest of the war in captivity and survived the war.
Discovery
Discovered during a survey requested by the US National Park
Service in 1997 by Matt Harris. They are located about six miles from Emiej
(Imeji) Island on the western side of the atoll.
Matt Harris reported
in his survey:
"The aircraft is intact aside from the propeller and engine cowling
which is separated and located approximately 15 feet from the main
body of the aircraft. The glass canopy is still intact however the
forward pilot’s window is broken. No weapons were found – these
may have already been removed."
Donald L. Strahl, son of Joseph D Strahl reports:
"It is with great sorrow I advise you that Joseph D. Strahl died in October
of 1999 and Marshal E. "Windy" Windham also died in 1999. Dad and Windy remained
friend for life and both died within a few months of each other. My Dad, while
visiting the Naval Air Museum told someone where these two aircraft could be
found. He wanted to have his aircraft found and restored. This too is my wish.
If this aircraft is restored to flying condition, I would like the honor to
be able to fly in it."
TBD
60'
Discovery
TIGHAR Survey
