 Admiral Sherman presents Tom Marshall with one of his six Air Medals
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Aviation Radioman 1st Class USNR - Air Group 15 Tom Marshall was a member of Torpedo Squadron VT 15. He served as a bellie gunner on a TBM Avenger. Air Group 15 was assigned to the U.S.S. Essex CV 9 in April of 1944, replacing AIr Group 9 which had accumulated and impressive war record. The Essex had just completed a month in a San Francisco area drydock and was preparing to join the Allied fleet for a massive offensive across the central Pacific towards the Philippines. By November the air group had completed its rotation aboard the Essex. It had surpassed the exploits of its predecessor. As the fast carrier task force pushed the Japanese out of the islands the F6F Hellcats, SB2C Helldivers, and TBM Avengers reeked havouc on the enemy. From the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" in June to the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October, Air Group 15 built a reputation for itself, becoming known as the “Fabled Fifteen.” The air group leader was David McCampbell who had become the US Navy’s all-time leading ace with 34 aerial victories during World War II. On November 17, 1944 on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Essex, Tom Marshall was awarded his first Air Medal for a mission of July 24, 1944. Tom eventually flew 39 missions and earned Two Distinguished Flying Crosses and Six Air Medals |
