This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Tommy Burgdorf (Birddog), FC2
to remember
Massey, Lance Edward, LCDR.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Casualty Info
Home Town Syracuse
Last Address With VT-3 deployed aboard USS Yorktown in the Pacific.
Remembered at Brookside Cemetery - Watertown, New York
Casualty Date Jun 04, 1942
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Buried at Sea - N/A, Pacific Ocean
Wall/Plot Coordinates Lost at Sea with most of VT-3 off Midway Island.
Military Service Number O - 63 292
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
On 14 April 1942, Lt.Cmdr Massey took command of Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3) aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3), then based at Kaneohe Naval Air Station. On 27 May 1942, VT-3 was transferred to USS Yorktown (CV-5) following the Battle of the Coral Sea, replacing that ship's own Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5). Yorktown sailed with VT-3 for Midway Island and entered battle on 4 June 1942. During this crucial encounter, Massey was killed while leading his squadron in a low-level attack against the Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryū. He was last seen-
"stood up in his open cockpit, with one foot on the stub wing and the other on the seat, as his TBD [Devastator] dropped toward the water 250 feet below. The skipper did not have the altitude to survive the jump from his flaming wreck."
Escorted by only six F4F Wildcat fighters, led by Lieutenant Commander John Thach, ten out of VT-3's twelve TBD's were lost. For his heroism in pursuing the attack on Hiryu, Massey was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Comments/Citation:
In memory of his actions at the Battle of Midway, the U.S. Navy commissioned the Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS Massey (DD-778) on 24 November 1944.
Name of Award
Navy Cross
Year Awarded
1942
Details behind Award: Awarded for actions during World War II-
"The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Lance Edward Massey (NSN: 0-63292), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron THREE (VT-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942.
...
Lieutenant Massey led his squadron in a Torpedo Plane assault against Japanese naval units, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and overwhelming fighter opposition. He pressed home his attack to a point where it became relatively certain that in order to fulfill his mission he would probably sacrifice his life. Undeterred by the grave possibilities of such a hazardous offensive, he carried on, with extreme disregard for his own personal safety, until his squadron scored direct hits on two enemy aircraft carriers.
...
His self-sacrificing gallantry and fortitude were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942) Action Date: 4-Jun-42 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Commander Company: Torpedo Squadron 3 (VT-3) Division: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)
