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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Jody Briggs

On February 11, 1943, Frank Gattuso 245-20-74, enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. He was a gunner and radioman, stationed on the carrier USS Essex, a member of torpedo squadron 83. On April 7, 1945, Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class was assigned to
a torpedo - bomber with pilot Lt. Bill Barrett. That morning approx 40 airplanes which included fighters, bombers and torpedo planes took off. After two hours of flying time, they sighted the Japanese cruiser Yamato in Tokyo Bay and made ready for a torpedo run. Pilot Lt. Barrett dropped out of formation, to make his torpedo run. He flew so close to the cruiser Yamato that Frank felt he could reach out and touch the large 16 guns. Their torpedo scored a direct hit on the cruiser combined with other hits that sankthe Yamato. It wasn't until they returned to the carrier Essex that the learned they had made the biggest hit to sink the cruiser Yamato. A few weeks later, they flew their last wartime mission. They had 4, 500lb bombs to bomb Tokyo. They were about 50 miles from Tokyo when they received a radio message that the Japanese had surrendered; the war with Japan was over. They jettisoned their bombs over water and returned to the Essex. Frank received several citations for distinguishing himself by heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in operations against the enemy. Frank received the following medals during his service. Distinguished Flying Cross, AL NAV 6-46, Air Medal 3 stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Victory Medal, Pacific Theater Ribbon 2 stars, Good Conduct Ribbon, and American Theater Ribbon
On February 18, 1946 Frank Gattuso was honorably discharged.