Captain Richard E. Fleming
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241)
SB2U-2 Vindicator 2088 pilot Battle of Midway earned Medal of Honor
Background
Richard Eugene Fleming was born November 2, 1917 in Saint Paul, MN. He attended Saint Thomas Military Academy and graduated in the Class of 1935 and was recognized as a top student officer He enrolled in the University of Minnesota class of 1939 and became president of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.
Wartime History
After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR). In 1940, he attended flight training at NAS Pensacola and finished top in his class, earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned to NAS San Diego and later Oahu. On December 17, 1941 flew from Pearl Harbor to Midway Airfield. Assigned to Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241) as a pilot. In April 1942 promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In May 1942 promoted to the rank of Captain.
On June 4, 1942 at the start of the Battle of Midway the squadron SBD Dauntless dive bombers led by Major Lofton R. Henderson and eleven SB2U Vindicators led by Major Benjamin W. Norris took off from Midway Airfield on a dive bombing mission against the Japanese fleet off Midway Atoll. Their take off was filmed by John Ford and later appeared in The Battle of Midway (1942). When the Vindicators reached the Japanese fleet they were were intercepted by three Zeros with one shot down by rear gunners. Arriving over the opposite end of the fleet, the Vindicators made shallow glide bombing attacks against Haruna and claim several near misses but fail to cause any damage. Returning, Vindicators were intercepted by Zeros with one shot down. Three SB2U-2 Vindicators were lost with one pilot later rescued by PT Boat.
Mission History
On June 5, 1942 at 6:30am took off from Midway Airfield piloting SB2U-2 Vindicator 2088 with gunner PFC George A. Toms on a mission to bomb "two enemy battleships [sic cruisers] (one crippled) bearing 268° , 170 miles". The formation included six SBDs led by Captain Marshall A. Tyler and six SB2Us led by Captain Fleming that quickly spotted a large oil slick and followed to it to the warships. The SBDs made dive bombing attacks from 10,000' targeting Mogami and scored six near misses. The SB2Us glide bombing attacks from 4,000' targeting Mikuma. This plane is hit by anti-aircraft fire and caught fire, dropped his bomb and crashed into the sea. When this plane fails to return, it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA).
Medal of Honor
Fleming earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously and Purple Heart, posthumously
Posthumous Medal of Honor Citation (June 4-5, 1942)
 "For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Flight Officer, Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron Two Forty-One during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4 and 5, 1942. When his squadron Commander was shot down during the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Captain Fleming led the remainder of the division with such fearless determination that he dived his own plane to the perilously low altitude of four hundred feet before releasing his bomb. Although his craft was riddled by 179 hits in the blistering hail of fire that burst upon him from Japanese fighter guns and antiaircraft batteries, he pulled out with only two minor wounds inflicted upon himself. On the night of June 4, when the Squadron Commander lost his way and became separated from the others, Captain Fleming brought his own plane in for a safe landing at its base despite hazardous weather conditions and total darkness. The following day, after less than four hours' sleep, he led the second division of his squadron in a coordinated glide-bombing and dive-bombing assault upon a Japanese battleship. Undeterred by a fateful approach glide, during which his ship was struck and set afire, he grimly pressed home his attack to an altitude of five hundred feet, released his bomb to score a near-miss on the stern of his target, then crashed to the sea in flames. His dauntless perseverance and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." |
Memorials
Fleming was officially declared dead a year and a day later on June 6, 1943. He is memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 4. Fleming also has a memorial marker at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at section F-1 Site 111.
On September 18, 1943
commissioned USS Fleming (DE-32) was named in his honor.
Saint Thomas Academy has a ceremony were the "Fleming Saber", which is given to the Cadet Colonel.
South St. Paul Municipal Airport is named Richard E. Fleming Field in his honor.
References
Congressional Medal of Honor Society -
Richard Eugene Fleming
The Battle of Midway (1942) directed by John Ford includes footage of this SB2U taking off on June 4, 1942
History of Marine Corps in World War II (1952) pages 48 (photo 35), 58-62 (June 4-5, 1942 map), 465 (VMSB-241 squadron summary)
Marines At Midway (1948) pages 19, Strikes by Marine Air Group 22 (map), 40 (photo)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Richard E. Fleming
FindAGrave - Capt Richard Eugene Fleming (photos, courts of the missing photos)
FindAGrave - Richard Eugene Fleming (photo, memorial marker photos)
Missing Marines - Richard Eugene Fleming
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