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Michael D. Withers (Mike), OSCS
to remember
Brooks, Thomas Perkins, Jr., ENS.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Concord, MA
Last Address 10 Belknap St Concord, MA (Mother~Susan B. Brooks)
Casualty Date Oct 25, 1944
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates Wall of the Missing (Cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
At the Battle of Leyte Gulf about 7:30 AM, the Japanese Fleet was sighted 30 miles east of USS Franklin's circling bombers. There were four carriers: the Zuikaku, Chitose, Zuiho, and the Chiyoda. Two battleships with flight decks, the Hyuga and Ise, steamed with them, surrounded by a dozen cruisers and destroyers. Hellcats from another air group hurried to the scene to cover Big Ben's airmen as they hurtled in. Seventeen enemy fighters were in the air over their carriers and they fought desperately to save them. An Avenger piloted by Ens. Thomas P. Brooks, Jr. with Aircrewmen Harold J. Shane and Francis J. Ploger spun down to the sea in a fatal water landing. But the bombers bored in and sank one of the carriers, the Zuiho.
Comments/Citation:
Name of Award
Distinguished Flying Cross
Year Awarded
1944
Details behind Award: Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Thomas Perkins Brooks, Jr. (NSN: 0-321264), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights as pilot of a carrier-based Torpedo Bomber plane on 4 August 1944, in the vicinity of the Bonin Islands in the Central Pacific. On this date, he took part in an aerial torpedo attack against enemy fleet units and merchant shipping. In the face of extremely intense and accurate naval anti-aircraft fire, he skillfully maneuvered his plane to a dangerously close range and obtained a direct hit with his torpedo upon a large Japanese cargo vessel, which was observed to sink shortly thereafter. His determination in pressing home this attack contributed materially to the destruction of many important enemy ships. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0528 (September 7, 1944) Action Date: August 4, 1944 Service: Navy Rank: Ensign Air Sqaudron: Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13) Ship: USS Franklin (CV-13)2nd Award Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Thomas Perkins Brooks, Jr. (NSN: 0-321264), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based torpedo bomber plane on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands in the Central Pacific. On this date, he took part in a three plane mast head bombing attack against a large Japanese fleet oiler. In spite of enemy fighter opposition, and in the face of extremely intense and accurate shore and ship anti-aircraft fire, he obtained a damaging near miss, materially aiding his division in the sinking of this ship. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: October 19, 1944 Service: Navy Rank: Ensign Air Sqaudron: Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13) Ship: USS Franklin (CV-13)
Leyte Campaign (1944)/Battle of Leyte Gulf
From Month/Year
October / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the Battles for Leyte Gulf, and formerly known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.
It was fought in waters near the Philippine islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from 23–26 October 1944, between combined US and Australian forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy. On 20 October, United States troops invaded the island of Leyte as part of a strategy aimed at isolating Japan from the countries it had occupied in Southeast Asia, and in particular depriving its forces and industry of vital oil supplies. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) mobilized nearly all of its remaining major naval vessels in an attempt to defeat the Allied invasion, but was repulsed by the US Navy's 3rd and 7th Fleets. The IJN failed to achieve its objective, suffered very heavy losses, and never afterwards sailed to battle in comparable force. The majority of its surviving heavy ships, deprived of fuel, remained in their bases for the rest of the Pacific War.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of four separate engagements between the opposing forces: the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño and the Battle off Samar, as well as other actions.
It was the first battle in which Japanese aircraft carried out organized kamikaze attacks. By the time of the battle, Japan had fewer aircraft than the Allied forces had sea vessels, demonstrating the difference in power of the two sides at this point of the war.
