Fighting Squadron (VF) 3

Extreme left, back row: ENS Newton H. Mason was killed in action against Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his skill and courage in battle. Destroyer escort USS Mason (DE-529) —the first Navy ship with a predominantly African-American crew— and guided missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG‑87) were named after him.

Second from left, back row: LT(JG) Howard F. Clark won a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), February 20, 1942, when he brought down an enemy bomber attempting to attack USS Lexington. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942, he again and again engaged enemy aircraft, in utter disregard of his own safety, until his Wildcat was shot down. LT(JG) Clark was posthumously awarded a second DFC for his heroism during the battle, and destroyer escort USS Howard F. Clark (DE-533) was named after him.

Third from left, back row: ENS Edward R. Sellstrom was awarded the Navy Cross for his "skillful marksmanship and courage" on February 20, 1942, when he intercepted an enemy four-engined bomber, determinedly pursued it through clouds and rain, and assisted in shooting it down despite heavy machine gun and cannon fire; later that day, he intercepted and shot down another aircraft during an attack directed at Lexington by nine enemy bombers. ENS Sellstrom was killed in an airplane crash, June 21, 1942, and destroyer escort USS Sellstrom (DE-255) was named after him.

Fourth from left, back row: LT(JG) Willard E. Eder became a Navy ace, with 6–6.5 confirmed victories (sources differ), and earned the Navy Cross and other decorations. He retired as a Captain in July 1965.

Third from right, back row:ENS Dale W. Peterson was awarded the Navy Cross for distinguished service in intercepting enemy bombers attacking Lexington, February 20, 1942. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, posthumously, for his actions during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942, in which he gave his life. Destroyer escort USS Dale W. Peterson (DE-337) was named after him.

Second from right, back row: LT(JG) Marion W. Dufilho was posthumously awarded both the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and achievement in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, August 24, 1942, in which he gave his life. Destroyer escort USS Dufilho (DE-423) was named after him.

Second from left, front row: LT Albert O. Vorse, Jr., became a Navy ace with 10.5–11.5 victories (sources differ). He earned the Navy Cross and other decorations and retired as a Rear Admiral in January 1959.

Third from left, front row: LCDR Donald A. Lovelace won the Distinguished Flying Cross "for heroic conduct in aerial combat, as division leader and pilot, when on 20 February 1942, in enemy waters, he led his division in a vigorous and determined attack, in the face of combined machinegun and cannon fire, against a formation of enemy bombers, and he, with the assistance of his teammate, caused the destruction of one enemy bomber." LCDR Lovelace was killed in a plane crash shortly before the Battle of Midway, while searching for the Japanese naval force. Destroyer escort USS Lovelace (DE-198) was named after him.

Center, front row: LCDR John S. "Jimmy" Thach, VF-3 Commanding Officer. He developed the fighter combat technique known as the "Thach Weave," that enabled the US Wildcat fighter to hold its own against the superior Japanese Zero. LCDR Thach led VF-3 from USS Lexington in early Pacific actions, and from USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the Battle of Midway (June 1942). He attained the rank of Admiral and retired in May 1967. John S. Thach earned two Navy Crosses, among many other decorations. Guided missile frigate USS Thach (FFG-43) was named after him.

Third from right, front row: LT Noel A.M. Gayler was the first person to be awarded three Navy Crosses, and retired as an Admiral in September 1976.

Second from right, front row: LT Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare, first Navy Ace in WW2 and Medal of Honor recipient: on February 20, 1942, he shot down five Japanese bombers and probably saved Lexington. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander, he was later Commander, Air Group Six aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was reported as MIA in November 1943 and declared dead one year later. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he earned a Navy Cross and other awards. Destroyer USS O'Hare (DD-889) was named after him.

Extreme right, front row: ENS Richard M. Rowell received the Distinguished Flying Cross for downing a Japanese plane, February 20, 1942, and won a second DFC during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942, before failing to return from his last mission. Destroyer escort USS Richard M. Rowell (DE-403) was named after him.

Additional notes: LT(JG) Howard L. Johnson was MIA, March 28, 1943. LT(JG) John H. Lackey, who earned a DFC, was killed on October 6, 1945. ENS Leon W. Haynes earned a Navy Cross and other decorations and retired as a Lieutenant Commander in October 1945. LT(JG) Onia B. Stanley, Jr., earned at least one DFC and retired as a Captain in July 1969. LT(JG) Rolla S. Lemmon earned a Navy Cross and was MIA, June 24, 1944. LT(JG) Robert J. Morgan earned a Navy Cross and other decorations and retired as a Captain in July 1968.]]

Donald Lovelace

Class of 1928

Lieutenant Commander, US Navy

Scottsburg, Virginia

May 29, 1942 (35 years old)

Distinguished Flying Cross, Operational loss, WWII, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Ship Namesake, Fixed Wing, USNA 1st Company

	Donald Lovelace
	Class of 1928
	Lieutenant Commander, US Navy
	Distinguished Flying Cross, Operational loss, WWII, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Ship Namesake, Fixed Wing, USNA 1st Company

William Pye, Jr.

Class of 1928

Lieutenant, US Navy

At Large

September 30, 1938 (30 years old)

Operational loss, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Fixed Wing, Family, USNA 7th Company

	William Pye, Jr.
	Class of 1928
	Lieutenant, US Navy
	Operational loss, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Fixed Wing, Family, USNA 7th Company

Victor Gadrow

Class of 1935

Lieutenant (j.g.), US Navy

Peacedale, Rhode Island

December 22, 1941 (28 years old)

Operational loss, WWII, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Pacific, Fixed Wing, USNA 3rd Company

	Victor Gadrow
	Class of 1935
	Lieutenant (j.g.), US Navy
	Operational loss, WWII, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Pacific, Fixed Wing, USNA 3rd Company

William Hulson

Class of 1936

Lieutenant (j.g.), US Navy

Colchester, Illinois

September 3, 1940 (26 years old)

Operational loss, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Fixed Wing, USNA 7th Company

	William Hulson
	Class of 1936
	Lieutenant (j.g.), US Navy
	Operational loss, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Fixed Wing, USNA 7th Company

William Lamberson

Class of 1938

Lieutenant Commander, US Navy

Oskaloosa, Iowa

January 22, 1945 (28 years old)

Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, KIA, WWII, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Okinawa, Pacific, Fixed Wing, USNA 4th Company

	William Lamberson
	Class of 1938
	Lieutenant Commander, US Navy
	Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, KIA, WWII, Fighting Squadron (VF) 3, Okinawa, Pacific, Fixed Wing, USNA 4th Company