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

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

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 and then deployed to Pearl Harbor. Six TBF-1 Avengers were flown to Midway Airfield led by Lt. Langdon K. Fieberling to participate in anticipated battle.

During the Battle of Midway, the squadron lost 45 of 48 air crew. Only Ensign George “Tex” Gay Jr., Ensign Albert K. “Bert” Earnest, and Airman Third Class Harry Ferrier survived.

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.

References
Torpedo Squadron 8 (1942) by John Ford memorial film for the families of members of Torpedeo Squadron 8