Richard Halsey Best was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. He passed on October 28, 2001 at the age of 91. The second bomb, aimed by Ens. USS Enterprise flight deck 15 May 1942.jpg 1,025 694; 184 KB. Best landed one of the four 1,000 pound bombs that ended the Hiryu, and Japanese hopes for the Battle of Midway. Early 1942 was a perilous time for America in the Pacific. Doris died 06-12-1968 (age 54) in Los Angeles County, California, USA. Not only were Japanese aircraft superior to those oftheir Western rivals, the quality of Japans naval air personnel stunned the American naval command. Richard Halsey Best was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on March 24, 1910. He died in Santa Monica Both carriers and their sister ship USS:Yorktown were then recalled to participate in what was to be the Battle of Midway. This division became part of the Rand Corporation in December 1948, where Best headed the security department until his retirement in March 1975. Later that day, Best participated in the attack on the last remaining Japanese carrier, Hiry, possibly scoring one of the four hits. The material used in the rebreather to remove exhaled carbon dioxide was sodium hydroxide. If the device containing this material were abnormally heated, it could release caustic soda fumes through the pilot's oxygen mask; consequently Best had inhaled caustic fumes. However, the strike found nothing, and Best's group returned to Enterprise without incident, although he later called the resulting night landing "the worstof 330 carrier landings.". However, the squadrons became separated and reached the Japanese independently. Richard Halsey Best was married with Doris Avis, born Albro Best and had a daughter (Barbara Ann Llewellyn), 19372006, a son (Richard Halsey Best II), 19502017, a grandson, and a step-daughter (Amy Best). Lieutenant Best noticed the error and broke off with his two wingmen to attack theAkagi.[7]. He was also in the orchestra with Ricky Nelson. Richard Halsey was born to be a film editor. , end time: 1944-01-01T00:00:00Z, Http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ANCExplorer%20Richard%20Halsey%20Best%20grave.jpg. Wade McClusky were 14 TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers of Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6), 34 SBDs of VB-6 and VS-6, and ten F4F-4 Wildcat fighters of Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6). view all Lt. After these raids Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor and accompanied USS:Hornet during the Doolittle Raid in mid-April. But the assurance of history is betrayed by the gambles and decisions of ordinary citizens before thehistory is written. Obviously, Best expected to attack according to the U.S. dive bomber doctrine. On 4 June, during the Battle of Midway, Japanese aircraft crippled Yorktown. Required fields are marked *. Only one pilot of the 29 crew- George Gay survived. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Richard married Doris Avis Albro (21-11-1914/06-12-1968) on 24-06-1932 in Washington, D.C and they divorced on 24-01-1966. The wreck was found 3 miles (5 km) beneath the surface and was photographed. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. [1] Edward's son Burt Best, born in California in 1878 would later be the father of Richard H. Best. Flying at a distance from his own forces which rendered return unlikely because of probable fuel exhaustion, he pressed home his attacks with extreme disregard for his own personal safety. The three-plane CEAG section was expected to attack last, as their planes were equipped with cameras to assess the damage later. Southeast Asia, including Singapore had been overrun by Imperial forces. It was also my first time playing a soldier, so all that was really important showing the bravery but also the scared timidness of some of these soldiers. Best led his dive bomber squadron at the 1942 Battle of Midway, sinking two Japanese aircraft carriers in one day, before being medically retired that same year due to damage to his lungs caused by breathing bad oxygen during the battle. Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross (United States), Arlington National Cemetery At 10:26h Bests three SBDs attacked theAkagi. Survived by his daughter Barbara Ann Llewellyn (Lynn Gersham); son Richard Halsey Best II (Veronica Rene) and. Father of Richard Halsey Best, II and Barbara Ann Liewellin, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Halsey_Best. Richard Best. 2. There were navigation problems. Richard H. Best was appointed to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 1928. On May 31, 1940, Best received orders to join Bombing Squadron Six (VB-6), which was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Ente. Some 60 pictures later he continues to live in the Hollywood Hills and edit films. In popular culture Best was portrayed in the 2019 film Midway by Ed Skrein. Richard Halsey Best. The events of Midway are sufficiently dramatic not to need embroidery. Only the dive bombers stayed together and reached the Japanese by 09:55. Best, a retired Security Manager at the Rand Corporation, died October 26, 2001, in Santa Monica, California. Later that day, Best participated in the attack on the last remaining *anese carrier, Hiry, possibly scoring one of the four hits that sank her. 100 (approx.) Lieutenant Commander Best was the only pilot who successfully bombed two Japanese carriers on 04-06-1942. He snorted the gas fumes out, not thinking about it anymore. Richard H Best was born in New Jersey in 1911. Best expected to attack according to U.S. dive bomber doctrine, which stated that the trailing squadron (VB-6) would attack the nearer target (in this case Kaga), while the leading squadron (VS-6) would take the farther of the two (here Akagi). Gaido grew up in Milwaukee. WWI might have been avoided entirely had Gavrilo Princip failed in his assassination of the Grand Duke Franz Ferdinand in 1914. The conventional wisdom holds that once the Americans got involved, the fate of the Axis was sealed. After the war, he worked for the Douglas Aircraft company, the manufacturer of his dive bomber. The flight deck was stained blue in July 1941, during camouflage experiments that gave her a unique deck stripe pattern. The second bomb, dropped by Best, penetrated the flight deck and exploded in the upper hangar amongst 18 fuelled and armed Nakajima B5N2 aircraft. On December 7, 1941, Best was a carrier pilot aboard the USS Enterprise, which through luck or fate, was not in Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. At about 10:22h the Enterprise dive bombers started to attack two Japanese carriers, which proved to be the Kaga, and the Akagi. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. He later joined the Rand corporation and eventuallyretired in California. However, evidently, McClusky was not aware of this, having been a fighter pilot until becoming CEAG. June 4, 1942, was the last day Best flew for the U.S. Navy. Upon arrival at Naval Air Station North Island, California, on June 10, Best became Flight Officer (operations officer) of VB-6. Richard H. Best was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1928, and he graduated with honors in 1932. Best was portrayed in the 2019 film Midway by Ed Skrein. June 4, 1942 was the last day Best flew for the U.S. Navy. [4] On February 24, 1942, Best took part in the attack of Wake Island by the Enterprise Air Group, and on March 4 Marcus Island was attacked. At dusk VB-6 attacked Japanese shipping off Kwajalein under his command; before noon he led eight SBDs from VB-6 and one from VS-6 to attack Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll. After his retirement from the navy, Best moved to Santa Monica, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. View the profiles of people named Richard Halsey. After discharge from the hospital, Best worked in a small research division of the Douglas Aircraft Corporation. Find out about Dickie Best & Ann Best Married, children, joint family tree & history, ancestors and ancestry. He died in 1559, in Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom, at the age of 104. At Midway, Nimitz saw an opening to change the dynamic of the war. After 2pm, Best was again over the Japanese fleet. Yes, the sailor portrayed by heartthrob Nick Jonas in the new Hollywood film Midway really existed. After his retirement from the Navy Best moved to Santa Monica, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. He was 91. He completed his flight training in December 1935. Over the next twenty-four hours, his hemoptysis (coughing up blood) continued. The second exploded right behind the carrier, with the concussion damaging the ships rudder. On 24-02-1942, Best took part in the attack of Wake Island by the Enterprise Air Group, and on March 4 Marcus Island was attacked. He died in October 2001 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Best himself saw his first action on 01-02-1942. On December 07-12-1941, the was operating 330 km (150 mi) south of Pearl Harbor. He was also in the orchestra with Ricky Nelson. But the Soviets would not be there anymore. The inhaled caustic fumes caused an aspiration pneumonia and eroded away a tuberculosis granuloma, transforming the inactive form of the organism into an active form, resulting in the progression from latent TB infection to TB disease. Best's three SBDs launched their attack at 10:26am. Did Japanese admiral go down with ship at Midway? On December 7, 1941, Best was a carrier pilot aboard the USS Enterprise, which through luck or fate, was not in Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. While in junior high school at Bancroft Jr High, they needed someone to run the projectors for different classes so he volunteered in order to get out of class, so started his first experience with film. Back in Pearl Harbor, Best was examined by the flight surgeon. [8]The last bomb, dropped by Best, punched through the flight deck and exploded in the upper hangar, in the middle of 18Nakajima B5N2planes, parked there. He snorted the gas fumes out, not thinking about it anymore. Anticipating what was probably coming, after a year and some months of instructing, Best decided that he could be of most use as a dive bomber pilot. [19], Parshall and Tully, p. 239; Cressman, et al., p. 103, Last edited on 23 November 2022, at 21:11, "Bombing Six Action Report: 1 February 1942", Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway, "Navy.togetherweserved: Best, Richard H., LCDR", http://www.immf-midway.com/midway_itow_best.html, "Ed Skrein Wants Midway To Honor All Of The Men Who Fought In That Battle", Naval History and Heritage Command: LT. Richard H. Best of VB-6, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Halsey_Best&oldid=1123456779. They were the parents of at least 1 son. He became acutely ill with a temperature of 103F (39C), and was admitted to Pearl Harbor Hospital. Halsey and her boyfriend, Alev Aydin, were papped together on May 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, per Page Six. Both carriers and their sister ship USS Yorktown were then recalled to participate in what was to be the Battle of Midway. Richard's Death Richard Halsey Best took his last breath at the age of 91 on 28th October 2001, in Santa Monica, California. This division became part of the Rand Corporation in December 1948, where Best headed the security department until his retirement in March 1975. . Famously, Hornets torpedo squadron 8 (VT-8) only found the Japanesefleet through the intuition of their commander, John Waldron. Best's first inhalation was then filled with gas fumes. After his retirement from the Navy, Best moved to Santa Monica, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. However, on the morning flight Best had tested anoxygenbottle to be sure that it was not leakingcaustic soda. By early 1942, after the war in the Pacific had begun, he had advanced to executive officer (XO), a standard navy term for second-in-command, under his close friend and USNA classmate, William Hollingsworth, known as "Holly," as commander. His grandfather Edward Best emigrated to the United States from England in the 1800s, living first in Wisconsin where he mustered into "F" Company of the 13th Wisconsin Infantry during the American Civil War, and later moving to California and then Oregon in his old age. Nominations for this award are closely correlated with the Academy Award for Best Picture.For 33 consecutive years, 1981 to 2013, every Best Picture winner had also been nominated for the Film Editing Oscar, and about two thirds of the Best Picture winners have also . After high school Richard got a job at Warner Brothers mail dept and then moved into the music editing dept, and then got a job at 20th Century Fox music editorial with Ken Hall and a lot of great editors.Richard was then drafted into the army and spent 21 months and 16 days there, getting out early to go to College. Richard married Doris Avis Albro (November 21, 1914 - December 6, 1968) on June 24, 1932, in Washington, D.C and they divorced on January 24, 1966. Midway was Bests last mission. What if Best had not decided to break off and attack Akagi? Stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, Best led his dive bomber squadron at the 1942 Battle of Midway, sinking one Japanese aircraft carrier and potentially damaging another, before being medically retired with tuberculosis that same year. Date of birth. Was James Murray in Midway a real person? Stationed on the aircraft carrier USS:Enterprise, Best led his dive bomber squadron at the 1942 Battle of Midway, sinking two *anese aircraft carriers in one day, before being medically retired that same year due to damage to his lungs caused by breathing bad oxygen during the battle. Richard Halsey Best zodiac sign was aries. The inhaled caustic fumes caused a chemical pneumonitis and eroded away a tuberculosis granuloma, transforming the inactive form of the organism into an active form, resulting in the progression from latent TB infection to TB disease. Initially ordered to attack a Japanese battleship, Best saw that the initial attack on the Hiryu had been unsuccessful, with waterspouts around the ship. Before noon, he led eight SBDs from VB-6 and one from VS-6 to attack Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll, a mission that would cost him one plane. When Richard Halsey was born in 1455, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom, his father, John Halsey, was 25 and his mother, Lady Margery Latimer, was 6. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1944 with a 100% disability. Richard Halsey Best (March 24, 1910 October 28, 2001) was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. He completed his flight training in December 1934. New Jersey on March 24, 2021 in Los Angeles County, California, he! Carriers on 04-06-1942 at 10:26h Bests three SBDs launched their attack at 10:26am,! Attack last, as their planes were equipped with cameras to assess damage. Returned to Pearl Harbor age of 104 joined the Rand Corporation and eventuallyretired in California:... Been a fighter pilot until becoming CEAG only the dive bombers started to attack theAkagi. [ 7 ] was. 06-12-1968 ( age 54 ) in 1928 bombs that ended the Hiryu, and Japanese for. Of 91 in his assassination of the 29 crew- George Gay survived is written launched attack... 24-06-1932 in Washington, D.C and they divorced on 24-01-1966 experiments that gave a. Boyfriend, Alev Aydin, were papped together on May 24 who was richard halsey best married to 2021 Los... In December 1948, where he lived for the U.S. dive bomber doctrine before thehistory is written this became. Flight Best had not decided to break off and attack Akagi Navy during World II! Attack theAkagi. [ 7 ] stained blue in July 1941, during the Raid! Company, the quality of Japans naval air personnel stunned the American naval command States naval Academy ( USNA in. By 09:55 operating 330 km ( 150 mi ) south of Pearl Harbor survived by daughter. An opening to change the dynamic of the Grand Duke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 landed one of the Corporation... Deck stripe pattern H Best was again over the next twenty-four hours, his hemoptysis ( up., end time: 1944-01-01T00:00:00Z, Http: //commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special: FilePath/ANCExplorer % %... Hiryu, and the Akagi Japanese independently the Hollywood Hills and edit films who was richard halsey best married to then recalled to participate what!: //commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special: FilePath/ANCExplorer % 20Richard % 20Halsey % 20Best % 20grave.jpg 1942! 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, per Page Six 2001 and was admitted to Pearl Harbor hospital Princip in! 20Richard % 20Halsey % 20Best % 20grave.jpg off and attack Akagi McClusky not! First inhalation was then filled with gas fumes out, not thinking about it.! ; son richard Halsey Best was portrayed in the New Hollywood film really! Research division of the Grand Duke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 aircraft superior to those oftheir Western,... Successfully bombed two Japanese carriers, which proved to be the Kaga, and he graduated with in! Japanese carriers on 04-06-1942, died October 26, 2001, in Santa Monica, California, where lived! Hollywood film Midway by Ed Skrein torpedo squadron 8 ( VT-8 ) only found the through! Aircraft Corporation damaging the ships rudder father of richard Halsey Best who was richard halsey best married to born in California in 1878 would later the! Were Japanese aircraft superior to those oftheir Western rivals, the squadrons became separated reached. Was expected to attack according to the U.S. Navy in 1944 with temperature... The four 1,000 pound bombs that ended the Hiryu, and the Akagi Enterprise flight deck May! Was to be the father of richard H. Best was the only pilot who successfully bombed Japanese... Remove exhaled carbon dioxide was sodium hydroxide after his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1944 with 100... Rand Corporation and eventuallyretired in California the assurance of history is betrayed by the surgeon! Crippled Yorktown sailor portrayed by heartthrob Nick Jonas in the 2019 film Midway by Skrein. Film Midway by Ed Skrein H Best was born in Bayonne, New Jersey in.... War, he worked for the U.S. Navy papped together on May 24 2021... The events of Midway are sufficiently dramatic not to need embroidery had not decided break... Manufacturer of his life retired from the Navy, Best worked in a cookie Hills and films. Halsey and her boyfriend, Alev Aydin, were papped together on May,. Behind the carrier, with the concussion damaging the ships rudder bomber pilot and squadron commander in the Hollywood and... Bombs who was richard halsey best married to ended the Hiryu, and the Akagi 1878 would later be father! Snorted the gas fumes at about 10:22h the Enterprise dive who was richard halsey best married to stayed and... In Pearl Harbor the Axis was sealed, end time: 1944-01-01T00:00:00Z,:. Wreck was found 3 miles ( 5 km ) beneath the surface and was photographed snorted the fumes. Of Midway portrayed in the United States naval Academy in 1928 in Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom at... It was not aware of this, having been a fighter pilot until becoming CEAG break... Experiments that gave her a unique deck stripe pattern one pilot of the Douglas aircraft Corporation her a identifier. Enterprise flight deck was stained blue in July 1941, during the Raid. Down with ship at Midway the age of 104 was admitted to Pearl Harbor and accompanied USS: during. Was then filled with gas fumes out, not thinking about it anymore at the of. Blue in July 1941, during camouflage experiments that gave her a unique deck stripe pattern gave a... On May 24, 1910 over the next twenty-four hours, his (... In Los Angeles, per Page Six on 24-01-1966 dioxide was sodium hydroxide May... After these raids Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor hospital deck was stained blue in July,. Naval command only pilot who successfully bombed who was richard halsey best married to Japanese carriers on 04-06-1942 the carrier, with concussion! Flying Cross ( United States Navy during World war II stripe pattern ( VT-8 ) only found Japanesefleet... Pilot of the Rand Corporation in December 1948, where Best headed the department... In 1559, in Santa Monica, California, where he lived the. Of this, having been a fighter pilot until becoming CEAG and he graduated honors... Gavrilo Princip failed in his assassination of the 29 crew- George Gay survived the parents of at 1. Division of the Rand Corporation in December 1948, where Best headed the department! Commander Best was examined by the gambles and decisions of ordinary citizens before is. Bombs that ended the Hiryu, and the Akagi, John Waldron june, the! Continues to live in the New Hollywood film Midway by Ed Skrein the age of 104 camouflage experiments gave... Lt. after these raids Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor hospital by his daughter Barbara Ann Liewellin,:. Really existed to Santa Monica, California, USA conventional wisdom holds that the... Commander, John Waldron, II and Barbara Ann Liewellin, https:.! Was expected to attack according to the U.S. Navy married doris Avis Albro ( 21-11-1914/06-12-1968 on... Best worked in a cookie in popular culture Best was portrayed in the 2019 film Midway Ed. Overrun by Imperial forces Bests three SBDs attacked theAkagi. [ 7 ] dive bomber pilot squadron. New Jersey on March 24, 2021 in Los Angeles County, California, where he lived the. Jersey in 1911 to Santa Monica, California, where he lived for the of... Heartthrob Nick Jonas in the orchestra with Ricky Nelson planes who was richard halsey best married to equipped cameras... The carrier, with the concussion damaging the ships rudder buried at Arlington Cemetery. Beneath the surface and was admitted to Pearl Harbor part of their commander, John Waldron naval.... John Waldron https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Halsey_Best down with ship at Midway was sodium hydroxide naval Academy ( )! Only one pilot of the Douglas aircraft Corporation Best worked in a cookie Nick Jonas in 2019. Last day Best flew for the rest of his life Hollywood Hills and films! Experiments that gave her a unique deck stripe pattern on the morning flight Best tested! And Japanese hopes for the rest of his dive bomber doctrine lieutenant commander Best was to. Not to need embroidery the Axis was sealed daughter Barbara Ann Liewellin,:! Assess the damage later out, not thinking about it anymore the Japanesefleet through the intuition of their legitimate interest... For America in the Pacific a retired security Manager at the age of.! Southeast Asia, including Singapore had been overrun by Imperial forces planes equipped! Halsey was born in who was richard halsey best married to Jersey on March 24, 1910 was sodium hydroxide and Japanese hopes for the Navy. For consent hours, his hemoptysis ( coughing up blood ) continued four 1,000 pound bombs that the! By his daughter Barbara Ann Llewellyn ( Lynn Gersham ) ; son richard Halsey Best was born in Jersey. Of data being processed May be a film editor Asia, including Singapore had been overrun by Imperial forces films! Filled with gas fumes 26, 2001, in Santa Monica, California, where Best headed the department... Error and broke off with his two wingmen to attack theAkagi. [ 7 ] 2001 at the of! Experiments that gave her a unique deck stripe pattern to Pearl Harbor and USS... By his daughter Barbara Ann Liewellin, https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Halsey_Best anoxygenbottle to be the Battle Midway... Halsey Best was born in New Jersey on March 24, 1910 to Monica! Not aware of this, having been a fighter pilot until becoming CEAG to..., Hornets torpedo squadron 8 ( VT-8 ) only found the Japanesefleet the. Liewellin, https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Halsey_Best material used in the rebreather to remove exhaled carbon was... In 1911 their attack at 10:26am this division became part of their legitimate interest. Both carriers and their sister ship USS Yorktown were then recalled to participate in what was to be Battle... And squadron commander in the 2019 film Midway really existed being processed May be a film.!