Pilot History
Edwards enlisted in the U. S. Navy (USN) during 1933 and graduated U. S. Naval Academy (USNA) class of 1937. He participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea. When he died, he was 27 years old.

Aircraft History
Built by Grumman as a model G-36 with manually operated folding wings. Delivered to the U. S. Navy (USN) as F4F-4 Wildcat bureau number 11758.

Wartime History
Assigned to the USS Enterprise CV-6 to squadron VF-10 "Grim Reapers". No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On January 30, 1943 took off from USS Enterprise CV-6 off Rennell Island on a mission to intercept Japanese bombers from the 705 Kokutai and 751 Kokutai attacking U. S. Navy vessels during the during the Battle of Rennell Island. When this Wildcat failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Edwards was officially declared dead on the day of the mission. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Edwards earned the Navy Cross.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4F Wildcat 11758
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List January 1943 F4F Wildcat 11758 VF-10 Lt. T. E. Edwards
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas E. Edwards Jr.
FIndAGrave - Lt Thomas E Edwards, Jr (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - Thomas E. Edwards, Jr (family details)
The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign page 325, 405, 502 (photo), 526

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Last Updated
February 14, 2020