World War II Honoree

Jack Cochran

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Dinuba, California

Honored By

Mary Jo C. Gilbert

Relationship

Niece

SERVED ON THE CARRIER USS WASP, TORPEDO SQUADRON 14, TASK FORCE 58 AS PILOT OF A GRUMMAN AVENGER. WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR DROPPING 4 500 POUND ARMOR PIERCING BOMBS WHICH SUNK A JAPANESE FLEET TANKER. RETURNED TO THE USS WASP ONLY TO FIND THAT ANOTHER PLANE HAD CRASHED UPON LANDING. THIS NECESSITATED FINDING ANOTHER SHIP AND LANDING ON THE USS SAN JACINTO CVL-30 WITH HIS ENGINE QUITTING AS HE TAXIED FORWARD OUT OF GAS. HE WAS AWARDED TWO DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSES, THE AIR MEDAL AND THE NAVY CROSS.