Alright, I could only find one reference online for this one.. " the sighting of the Japanese minesweepers Tama Maru No. 3 and Tama Maru No. 5 by a Midway-based PBY flown by Ensign James P.O. Lyle, at 0904 on 3 June 1942. These ships had left Wake on 31 May, and were the first units of the Japanese invasion force to be spotted enroute to Midway." http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/...01843c.htm
Guess that was a no-brainer, huh? Got the quote from the book "The Longest Day". Great read if you're into WW2 history. Great movie, too. Starred just about EVERY male star in Hollywood at the time
He was the pilot for the guy that spotted the Japanese. Search "Ensign Jack Reid Battle of Midway". Should find the answer there.
Ok, this has gone on long enough. The answer is Ensign Charles R. Eaton. Sources, The Battle of Midway by Craig Symonds, and here http://www.historynet.com/midway-islands-undaunted-defenders-may-96-world-war-ii-feature.htm Anybody that wants to can ask a question. I think it's been my turn too long.
Nobody game? Here's something to get this going again. I love trivia!!! I was the only ship of my class to survive the war. I took part in the invasion of the Philippines. I also participated in the battles of Midway, Santa Cruz, Leyte Gulf, and the Philippine Sea. Two of the largest ships I've ever escorted were sunk. Who am I ???
Unlike others in my class, I was owned by but one government. Though I was lost well before they my guns served long after my brethern were gone. The guns of one of my sister-ships, though she bore a male name for good fortune a ship is a she, serverd well after her time and long after the time of my own. At one point my sister-ship's guns, though sans ship and heavily rebuilt, turned against those who succeeded my builders, though they were reclaimed by them and maintained until their own end. Who was I? Feel free to google if you want.
20th century I will give you three hints This ship was in a class of three, and one of her sisterships nominally flew 4 different flags, though the first and last flags were essentially the same, and her other sister flew two, and though of essentially the same geographic origin they were flags of opposing factions. This ship was not built by the Germans
Some of the reading that I did to research my Potemkin kit gave me the clue where to start looking. It still took a while to identify the right ship. Next question. With four 5" guns you might think I'm a destroyer, but my top speed of less than 20 knots means I was designed for detached duty, not keeping up with the fleet. I participated in Dumbo operations during the war, helping rescue many downed airmen. After the war, I spent time with the Coast Guard and was designated a high endurance cutter, rescuing even more people.
