LCdr Bayers ignores his own safety to protect the USS Yorktown and his shipmates.
Former enlisted man, commanding officer of attack squadron.
It happened "First" on the Yorktown CV 10
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while participating as Section Leader of a combat patrol unit in an aerial flight against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway, June 4-8, 1942. Sighting two "Zero" fighters on June 4, Lieutenant (junior grade) Edward H. Bayers, with bold aggressiveness and great personal risk, pressed home a persistent attack against these enemy aircraft until he had shot the leader down in flames.
While diving to escape the surviving wingman, who had out-maneuvered him and gained the offensive, he sighted a Japanese torpedo plane approaching the U.S.S. YORKTOWN. (CV 5)
Too intent upon protecting our aircraft carrier to be deterred by the threatening proximity of the enemy fighter, he intercepted the torpedo plane and destroyed it.
The Navy Cross
Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy
by Order of President Roosevelt
Again, on June 6, as member of an attack group assigned to repel a Japanese naval force, he defied a fierce barrage of concentrated anti-aircraft fire to strafe and seriously damage an enemy destroyer. His superb initiative and expert airmanship aided greatly in the success of our forces and were in the keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services."
For the President,
Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy
Key to scoreboard on island of USS Yorktown CV 10:
upper left quarter of the scoreboard -enemy aircraft destroyed in the air
lower left quarter underneath is enemy aircraft probables (probable kills) in the air
to the right of the aircraft destroyed and probables there are two columns of enemy ships sunk
to the right of these columns there are three more columns of enemy ships damaged
Lcdr- Edward H. Bayers, Sr. became the first NAP [former enlisted man] and former VF-2 Fighting Chief to command a fighter squadron during World War II, when he took command of VF-3 the "Crazy Cat" squadron aboard the new Yorktown (CV-10) in January 1945. When the war was over, he continued as C.O. of VF-3 at NAS Oceana, his squadron being one of the first to fly the new F8F-1 "Bearcat." Two other former NAP':s, Ens. Bob Chapman and Ens. Dutch Leonard, are in the squadron at the time of this picture.
Says the son of LCDR Bayers,
Being raised in a military family, I have a pride in
all that served or are serving now. My father spent 30
years in the Navy, and I cherish everyone who spent
time with him during his service. As you know, he
retired a Captain, and my pride is that he was an
enlisted man, and achieved what he did. I appreciate
your doing this. [Posting this page]
It gives me great honor to show people the great
website about the "Fighting Lady" and her history.
Ed Bayers Jr. October 30, 2001
Thank you for your father's service to his Country, to the Yorktown, CV5 and CV10 and for his shipmates.
Daniel A. Bernath, Esq.
USS US Navy
USS Yorktown ship's Company 1968 to 1970