Mark 13 torpedo about to be loaded into the bomb bay of a TBF Avenger

Charles Nelson in #82 about to launch to attack the Japanese fleet on June 20th. Both planes in this photo were shot down.

Ltjg Frank Mayock flew on the historic long-range strike against the Japanese fleet during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He was crewed with gunner AM1c Clarence Wall and radioman ARM1c Walter Goscicki. Their mission was to deliver the single, massive 2200-pound Mark 13 torpedo that they carried in their bomb bay.

Eight VT-1 torpedo bombers participated in the strike. Five carried torpedoes and three carried bombs (4 x 500 pounders). They launched late in the day knowing full well that they would test the limits of their fuel range and probably return after dark.

Spotting the Japanese fleet, the five with torpedoes immediately maneuvered to make their runs on a Japanese aircraft carrier (possibly the light carrier Ryuhu). Flight leader Lt Nelson went in first and successfully dropped his torpedo but was shot down as he pulled up over the ship. The others followed and received the same intense anti-aircraft fire (AA) but were able to make it through OK.

"I zeroed in on a huge [Japanese] aircraft carrier. . . . Just before launching my torpedo, I saw my squadron leader's plane dive into the ocean in flames." (Frank Mayock 2008 interview)

Ltjg Mayock successfully released his torpedo and two of VT-1's torpedoes ended up hitting the enemy carrier. At some point during the engagement Ltjg Mayock's plane sustained elevator damage from the AA but it was still flyable. Soon after dropping their torpedo Petty Officer's Wall and Goscicki had to fend off several attacking enemy fighters with their 50 and 30 caliber guns.

In the dark and low on gas, the return flight was a harrowing experience. It became hectic and chaotic as nearly 200 returning TF-58 planes flying on fumes looked for a carrier to land on. About 80 planes ran out of gas and ditched. Some in desperation crashed trying to get aboard. Ltjg Mayock ditched his plane in the dark (TBM-1C #25328) and they were picked up by the destroyer USS Gatling (DD-671). Of the eight VT-1 planes flown that day none made it back to the USS Yorktown.

Two planes shot down - killed were Nelson, Lantron, Young (in #82) and Carlson, Shea, Trau (in #95)
Three planes lost to fuel starvation & forced to ditch at night - all crew members picked up safely
Three planes landed on other carriers (Enterprise, Princeton, and Lexington)

Ltjg Frank Mayock was awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism" in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

Yorktown War Diary (pg 1 of 6)

Aircraft Action Report June 20th 1944 (pg 1 of 5)

The Wilkes Barre Record Oct 17th 1944

USS Yorktown War Diary (6 pages), "Aircraft Action Report" (5 pages), and newspaper article

Frank Mayock logbook June 1944

Frank Mayock logbook July 1944

Frank Mayock logbook August 1944

Ltjg Mayock's logbook entries for June, July, and August. He flew 18 combat hops in June and July.

Youtube video: WW2: Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown (For Battle of the Philippine Sea segment with commentary by Frank Mayock start the video at 32:22)

Frank W. Mayock