Richard Alonzo Jaccard
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| Richard Alonzo Jaccard | |
|---|---|
| July 1, 1918 – September 15, 1942 (aged 24) | |
| Nickname | Jake |
| Place of birth | Troy, Missouri |
| Place of death | aboard USS Wasp (CV-7) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Naval Reserve |
| Years of service | 1940–1942 |
| Rank | Ensign |
| Unit | Enterprise (CV-6) |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Battle of Midway *Guadalcanal/Tulagi landings *Battle of the Eastern Solomons |
| Awards | Navy Cross Purple Heart |
Richard Alonzo Jaccard (1 July 1918–15 September 1942) was born in Troy, Missouri and lived in Manhattan, Kansas.
Contents |
[edit] Navy career
Jaccard enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve 29 October 1940. He later underwent flight training and upon graduation was commissioned Ensign 27 September 1941. Reporting to famed carrier USS Enterprise in April 1942, Ens. Jaccard took part, 4 June 1942, in one of the most important battles in all naval history, the Battle of Midway.
[edit] Awarded the Navy Cross
As American carrier groups moved to meet the Japanese thrust at Midway Island, Jaccard, as part of Scouting Squadron 6, attacked enemy carriers during the morning, knocking out Akagi and Kaga. That afternoon the squadron carried out another devastating attack, sinking carrier Hiryu, Ens. Jaccard also participated in attacks in the Japanese cruisers Mikuma and Mogami. For his part in a great victory, Jaccard was awarded the Navy Cross.
[edit] Transferred to Bombing Squadron 6
Ens. Jaccard flew with Bombing Squadron 6 in support of the landings at Guadalcanal and Tulagi as well as the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in which Enterprise was severely damaged. Bombing 6 was ordered to Efate where a four plane division including Ens. Jaccard was detached and sent to the USS Wasp.
Ens. Jaccard was killed when Wasp was torpedoed and sunk 15 September 1942.
[edit] Namesake
USS Jaccard (DE-355) was named in his honor. She was launched by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas, 18 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. C. R. Jaccard, mother of Ensign Jaccard; and commissioned 26 July 1944, Lt. Comdr. C. R. Hamilton in command.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- Richard Alonzo Jaccard
- Scouting Six Action Report
- USS Jaccard website
- The Big E, The Story of the USS Enterprise, Edward P. Stafford, ISBN-10: 1557509980, ISBN-13: 978-1557509987
- Incredible Victory, Walter Lord, ISBN-10: 1580800599 ISBN-13: 978-1580800594
- Carrier Combat, Lt. Fred Mears, ASIN: B000V6MQB4
