Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8)
U.S. Navy (USN)

Background
Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) was established in the U.S. Navy (USN). Also known as Torpedo Squadron Eight.

Wartime History
In early 1942, a detachment of the squadron under the command of Lieutenant Harold "Swede" Larsen remained at Norfolk, Virginia to receive the new TBF-1 Avenger then deployed to Pearl Harbor. In early June 1942, six TBF-1 Avengers were flown to Midway Airfield led by Lt. Langdon K. Fieberling to participate in anticipated battle.

Battle of Midway
During the Battle of Midway, the squadron lost 45 of 48 air crew. The only crew rescued was Ensign George “Tex” Gay Jr., Ensign Albert K. “Bert” Earnest, and Airman Third Class Harry Ferrier. Lost is TBF 00383, TBF 00384, TBF 00391, TBF 00398 and TBF 00399. Damaged TBF Avenger 00380 managed to land at Midway Airfield with the right landing gear leg collapsed and was later repaired.

On July 30, 1942 lost is TBF Avenger 00376 after landing accidnet on USS Hornet.

Guadalcanal Deployment
On September 13, 1942 the squadron began operating from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal attached to Marine Aircraft Wing 1 (MAW-1). In total, the squadron flew 30 attack missions including 13 against shipping with hits scored on ten of them plus 17 missions against ground targets.

On October 6, 1942 at night three TBF Avengers each armed with 500 pound and 100 pound bombs on a bombing mission against Japanese positions on Cape Esperence on Guadalcanal. Each Avengers was accompanied by an SBD Dauntless dive bomber to drop flares to illuminate targets and made their attacks individually. Each Avengers made glide bombing attacks from 1,000' to 1,500'. Lost is TBF Avenger 00401 pilot Lt(jg) John Taurman (2 MIA, 1 rescued) and TBF Avenger 00382 pilot CAP Doggett (MIA).

On October 13, 1942 during the Japanese shelling of Henderson Field, every plane in the squadron sustained damage and was disabled with three repairable.

On October 22, 1942 and October 23, 1942 the squadron conducted six bombing missions against Japanese positions until it was shot down. The two remaining planes were supplemented by TBF Avenger from USS Hornet Air Group Commander.

On November 7, 1942 three TBF Avengers from VT-8 took off from Guadalcanal on a mission against a "Tokyo Express" convoy of eleven destroyers. The formation includes SBD Dauntless from VMSB-132 and P-39 Airacobras from 67th Fighter Squadron (67th FS) armed with bombs escorted by twenty-one F4F Wildcats from VMF-121. Approaching the convoy, the Wildcats engage the air cover including six A6M2-N Rufes from 802 Kōkūtai (802 Air Group) and four F1M2 Petes from Kamikawa Maru and are joined by the P-39s after they jettison their bombs. During the air combat, Foss claims a Rufe and two Petes but was shot down by floatplane's rear gunner and lands in the sea. Using his parachute to remain afloat, at dusk a local canoe approaches from Malaita and rescues him. The next day, rescued by a PBY Catalina and returned to Guadalcanal.In total, the U.S. fighters claim ten Petes shot down (five by the Wildcats and five by the P-39s). In fact, only one Pete is lost.

On November 13, 1942 claimed to torpedo a battleship.

On November 15, 1942 claimed to torpedo a transport.

On November 16, 1942 the squadron ended their operations on Guadalcanal.

On January 1, 1945 reformed at NAS Alameda under acting command of Lt. E. T. Keller, USNR. On January 12, 1945 moves to NAAS Watsonville, On January 25, 1945 placed under the command of Lt. Cdr G. N. Cagle, USN. On February 22, 1945 moves to NAAS Arcata for rocket training.

On May 18, 1945 moves to NAS Alameda and embarks aboard USS Long Island (CVE-1) bound for Pearl Harbor. On May 24, 1945 disembarked at NAS Ford Island then flown to NAS Puunene on Maui. On June 18, 1945 embarked aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3) for four days of carrier training then returns to NAS Puunene.

On August 6, 1945 flown back to NAS Ford Island. On August 7, 1945 embarked aboard USS Barnes (CVE-20) and departs across the Pacific bound for Guam. On August 19, 1945 disembarked at Apra Harbor then flown from Orote Airfield on Guam to Kagman Airfield on Saipan until the end of the Pacific War.

Postwar
On September 24, 1945 embarked aboard USS Bennington (CV-20). On November 11, 1945 moves to NAS San Diego. On November 23, 1945 decommissioned as a squadron with all personnel transfered or detached.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Lt. E. T. Keller (January 1, 1945–January 24, 1945)
Lt. Cdr G. N. Cagle (January 25, 1945–November 23, 1945)

References
Torpedo Squadron 8 (1942) by John Ford memorial film for the families of members of Torpedeo Squadron 8
NARA "Torpedo Squadron Eight, Report of Operations at Guadalcanal" (September 13, 1942–November 16, 1942) December 1, 1942
NARA "Torpedo Squadron Eight War History January 1, 1945–November 1945