Commander Claude William Gaskell began his U.S. Navy career in February 1941. After completing eight months of flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas, he received his first orders to report to Patrol Squadron Forty Two based at Sand Point Naval Station (Seattle, Wa).
Shortly thereafter in June 1942 the Japanese began an advance on the Aleutian Islands. The Japanese force consisted of aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and submarines, with orders to destroy whatever American forces and facilities were found.
With a minimum number of U.S. patrol squadrons deployed to that area in those early stages of WWII, it was left to Cdr. Gaskell's squadron and their vulnerable PBY aircraft to make the long trek to and from the North Pacific in order to provide critical reconnaissance and strategic harassment of the numerically superior enemy forces.
Lacking navigation aids, (then) Ensign Gaskell and his fellow pilots carried out day and night missions, flying through dense fog, rain, snow, high winds and icing.
Cdr. Gaskell's missions always carried him far from base, his job being to report the position of enemy aircraft forces in the midst of intense anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition.
In addition to executing reconnaissance missions, Cdr. Gaskell was involved in the pioneering of unprecedented operational tactics to cope with the low ceilings encountered over enemy defense positions during bombing runs.
In October 1942, Claude was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
In addition, for his efforts during the early summer of 1942, Cdr. Gaskell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, with the following citation:
“For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as pilot of an airplane in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Aleutian Islands Campaign, June 1-15, 1942. In addition to flying all-night aerial patrols, Lieutenant (junior grade) Gaskell, facing tremendous anti-aircraft fire with utter disregard for his own personal safety, participated in bombing attacks on Japanese vessels in Kiska Harbor. His courageous persistence and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
In November 1942, Cdr. Gaskell received new orders to report to Flight Air Wing Six to become a flight instructor, where he was able to bring his wealth of experience to other pilots.
Claude remained at Flight Air Wing Six as an instructor until then end of WWII.
Claude left active duty following the completion of the war, joining the Naval Reserves, where he was awarded the rank of Commander on March 22, 1955.