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| USN VT-15 |
Pilot Ensign Theodore W. Sterling, O-278330 (MIA / KIA) New York, NY Gunner AOM2/c Seymour B. Gitelson, 6669993 (MIA / KIA) North Adams, MA Radio ARM2/c Jack H. W. Cooper, 7256199 (KIA) Elkart, IN Crashed June 15, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as a model G-40. Constructors Number 5872. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as TBF-1C Avenger bureau number 48106. Wartime History Assigned to USS Essex (CV-15) to Torpedo Squadron 15 (VT-15). No known nickname or markings. Mission History On June 15, 1944 took off from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Ensign Theodore W. Sterling on a strike mission against Motoyama No. 1 Airfield (South Field) on Iwo Jima. Over the target, forced down due to anti-aircraft fire and ditched into the sea and the crew survived and deployed their life raft. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew Afterwards, the three floated at sea in their life raft. All three members of the crew members perished at sea. The precise fate of Sterling and Gitelson are unknown. Crew member Cooper survived in the life raft and kept a diary on paper in his wallet with entries on July 6, 1944, July 8, 1944, July 9, 1944, July 11, 1944, July 12, 1944 Jap Nell saw me.. strafed, hit me in both legs.. bandaged the... very weak from loss of blood... Land in sight... No food since the 4th [July]... 6 ounces of water left...", July 14, 1944 "Caught one small fish last PM.. If this is my last day..." The final entry on July 15, 1944 "To Helen I loved her until the end. Jack. I love Mom, Dad and all. Wish I eat some her cooking". Recovery of Remains On July 21, 1944 at 7:30am USS Tinosa (SS-283) spotted their life raft two miles away and came alongside and recovered the raft. Inside was the body of Cooper with his diary. Afterwards, his body was prepared for burial and at 8:40am the crew held a memorial service then buried him at sea. Afterwards, the commander of USS Tinosa (SS-283) wrote to Cooper's mother that the diary was an inspiration to his crew. Later, the Navy released excerpts of the diary that were reported by the Associated Press (AP) on September 18, 1944 in newspapers across the United States. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead July 9, 1944. All three are memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing. Sterling on court 2. Gitelson on court 3. Cooper on court 5. Sterling earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Gitelson earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Cooper earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Relatives Mrs. Henry Clevenz (mother of Cooper) References Navy Serial Number Search Results - TBF-1C Avenger 48106 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List June 1944 - TBF-1C Avenger 48106 NARA Torpedo Squadron Fifteen (VT-15) 1 September 1943–6 December 1944 1 January 1945–2 September 145 (2) (decomm. 20 Oct. 1945) pages 7 (PDF 7, Page 3) "6/15/44: One strike launched against the southern airfield [Motoyama No. 1 Airfield] on Io Jima [sic Iwo Jima] in the Bonins... Ens. T. W. Sterling, Jr., A V(N), USNR, File No. 278330, of Annapolis, Md., and his crewmen, J. H. W. Cooper, ARM2/c, V-6, USNR, of Elkart, Ind., and S. B. Gitelson, AOM2/c, V-6, USNR, of North Adams, Mass., were forced down at sea due to AA. All three were seen safe in their life raft but were not pucked up and perished at sea. (See Narrative)." NARA USS Tinosa (SS283) - Report of Seventh War Patrol July 30, 1944 page 24 (Page 24) "21 July 1944 0730(I) Sighted life raft bearing 180°(T) distance 2 miles. Maneuvered alongside and picked up raft and body of Jack Henry W. Cooper Serial #725 61 99 U.S.N.R. prepared body for burial... 0840(I) held burial services for Cooper and committed body to the sea." The Sacramento Bee "Diary Graphically Describes Downed Airman's Last Days" by Thomas W. Maddox (AP) September 18, 1944 page 1 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Theodore W. Sterling Jr. listed as "buried at sea" American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Seymour B. Gitelson listed as "buried at sea" American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jack H. W. Cooper listed as "buried at sea" FindAGrave - Ens Theodore Weld “"Bunny"” Sterling Jr. (photo, courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Seymour B Gitelson (courts of the missing photo) FindAGave - ARM2 Jack H W Cooper ( courts of the missing photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated May 11, 2025 |
 Avenger  MIA 3 Missing |
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