USS HAROLD J. ELLISON DE-545

HAROLD JOHN ELLISON

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, April 2016

Harold John Ellison was born 17 January 1917 in Buffalo, N.Y., and was appointed Ensign 20 October 1941 after completing flight training. Soon afterwards he reported to Torpedo Squadron 8 on board famous carrier Hornet. In the pivotal battle of Midway, 4 and 5 June 1942, Ellison and his comrades led a gallant torpedo attack on the Japanese ships, pressing home ,he attack without fighter cover and knowing they had insufficient fuel to return to Hornet. Though no hits were scored in this first attack, the torpedo bombers diverted the Japanese ships, decoyed their combat air patrols away from Navy dive bombers, and thus contributed importantly to the great victory. Ensign Ellison was presumed dead 5 June 1942 and received the Navy Cross posthumously for his gallantry.