Bruce Godfrey Brackett
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| Bruce Godfrey Brackett | |
|---|---|
| October 16, 1915 – January 14, 1943 (aged 27) | |
 Bruce Godfrey Brackett |
|
| Place of birth | Seattle, Washington |
| Place of death | South Pacific Ocean |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1936-1943 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Silver Star |
Bruce Godfrey Brackett (16 October 1915–14 January 1943 was an United States naval aviator who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his heroism during World War II.
Contents |
[edit] World War II
[edit] Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Brackett's first assignment was to Cruiser Scouting Squadron (VCS) 9 on board USS Honolulu (CL-48) to which he reported on 22 June. The light cruiser operated out of Pearl Harbor through 1941 and was moored in the Navy Yard when the Japanese attacked on 7 December. Honolulu suffered only minor hull damage and was initially assigned convoy escort duty between the United States, Australia, and Samoa.
[edit] World War II assignments
Promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in June 1942, Brackett spent the summer months of 1942 in the Aleutian Islands on board Honolulu. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 October 1942 and began to fly combat scouting missions with Task Force (TF) 67 during the Battle of Tassafaronga in November and out of Espiritu Santo early in 1943.
[edit] Flying the “Tokyo Express”
From 16 December 1942 to 14 January 1943, Lt. Brackett flew hazardous missions to seek out the "Tokyo Express," the nightly reinforcement runs of warships down the slot that separated two chains of islands in the Solomons group. On his missions, he distinguished himself by valor when faced with heavy Japanese antiaircraft fire. Without regard to his personal safety, he illuminated hostile targets for PT boat squadrons to attack.
[edit] Silver Star
During the nights of 14 January and 15 January, he was shot down over Savo Island while assisting the PT boats engaging a nine-destroyer "express" run. Lt. Brackett was officially declared dead on 23 January 1943 and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his heroism.
[edit] Namesake
The USS Brackett (DE-41), laid down as BDE-41 on 12 January 1943 and launched as DE-41 on 1 August 1943, was named in his honor.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- Brackett. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy.
