Battle of Midway hero recognized at Club Post 20 meeting

Dr. James D'Angelo, a retired Washington-area physician turned historian and author, told the amazing story of Lt. Col. Richard Best, an unsung hero of the epic World War II Battle of Midway, at the June 24 meeting of National Press Club American Legion Post 20. D'Angelo, a Post member who spoke from his home in Bradenton, Florida, is the author of "Victory at Midway" and founder of the International Midway Memorial Foundation, which each year commemorates the June 4, 1942, naval battle that turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific and, D'Angelo argues, in Europe as well.

Best is credited with dropping a single bomb that struck and set off ordnance explosions that ultimately sank the Japanese carrier Akagi. Despite suffering from oxygen deprivation caused by a breakdown in his aircraft's high-altitude breathing apparatus, Best made a second bomb run and damaged a second Japanese carrier.  His actions helped give the U.S. Navy a two-to-one advantage in carriers in the titanic naval battle that stopped Japan's Pacific advance. The victory convinced Joseph Stalin that he could shift Russian forces from Japan-threatened Siberia to the Battle of Stalingrad, where victory over Germany turned the tide of World War II in Europe.

D'Angelo said Best contracted tuberculosis as a result of oxygen deprivation. Although he recovered and lived to the age of 91, Best never piloted another airplane after his Midway flights. "He was an amazingly humble man," D'Angelo recalled. Best was awarded a Navy Cross for his leadership, but efforts by supporters to award him a Medal of Honor were unsuccessful.

Also speaking at the meeting was Post and Club member Thomas Young, whose latest book, "Silver Wings, Iron Cross," has just been released in paperback after a successful hard copy run. Young, an Air National Guard veteran and commercial pilot, discussed his soon-to-be-completed eighth book, which tells the little-known story of the harrowing rescue of some 500 U.S. airmen from German-occupied Romania during World War II.

Also speaking at the meeting was retired Vice Admiral Scott Van Buskirk, a career submarine officer and expert in international submarine rescue capabilities. He described the U.S. Navy's systems and noted that 10 countries have rescue capabilities, although not all are compatible. He said rescues are only possible in relatively shallow waters of 2,000 feet or less because water pressure crushes sub hulls in deep water. The recent loss of an Indonesian submarine off Bali occurred in hull-crushing waters.

Post 20 held its annual election of officers, at which commander James Noone and all other officers were reelected. Noone said he hopes the Post will be able to resume meeting in person in the Club's McClendon Room, with a virtual meeting option, after a suspension of meetings for the summer.

The speaker portions of Post 20 meetings are open to all Club members.