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| USN USS Hornet (CV-12) VT-2 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Hercules Bereolos, 0-240403 USNR (MIA / KIA) Hammond, IN Gunner AMM2c Chervenak (survived) Radio ARM2c Nealous M. Dalton, 6406912 USNR (MIA / KIA) Kingsport, TN Crashed March 30, 1944 Aircraft History Built by General Motors, Eastern Aircraft Division. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as TBM-1C Avenger bureau number 25217. Wartime History Assigned to Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2) aboard USS Hornet (CV-12). No known nickname, nose art or squadron number. Mission History On March 30, 1944 at 7:07am launched from USS Hornet (CV-12) piloted by Lt(jg) Bereolos on a strike mission against Palau. During take off, the right wing hit the carrier's super structure causing the plane to go over the side and crashed into the sea. Pilot Lt(jg) Bereolos and radio operator ARM2c Dalton were lost in the crash and went down with the plane and are listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Two minutes earlier, lost was TBM-1C Avenger 25217 pilot Ensign John R. Skinner ditched off the starboard side. for the Greek's right wing hit the super structure slewing the plane over the side costing him his life as well as that of Dalton his radioman. The gunner Chervenak was picked up by a ship." Rescue After the crash, gunner Chervenak was rescued. Memorials Bereolos was officially declared dead July 30, 1944 possibly in error. Dalton was officially declared dead March 30, 1944. Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - TBM-1C Avenger 25217 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss - TBM-1C Avenger 25217 NARA USS Hornet (CV-12) March 1944 "30 March 1944... Two TBF's [sic TBM's] were lost operationally during this launching, one on take-off and one shortly after takeoff." NARA USS Owen (DD-536) War Diary March 1944 "March 30, 1944... At 600 CVs commenced launch of first air strikes against Palau. At 0707 Hornet reported plane crashed in wake and at 0709 another plane in water to starboard. Hancock proceeding after first down plane [this plane], Owen after second [TBM-1C Avenger 25217]." Scraps of Torpedo Two "Huge Naval Task Force in Daring Raid on Palau! The Strike on Palau... "Joe Moore's division had bad luck in launching... for the Greek's right wing hit the super structure slewing the plane over the side costing him his life as well as that of Dalton his radioman. The gunner Chervenak was picked up by a ship." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Lt(jg) Hercules Bereolos listed as buried at sea FindAGrave - LtJG Hercules Bereolos (tablets of the missing photos) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Nealous M. Dalton FindAGrave - ARM2 Nealous M Dalton (photo) East Tennessee Veterans Memorial (ETVMA) - Nealous M Dalton (photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated January 28, 2025 |
 Avenger  MIA 2 Missing |
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