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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)
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Luzon Campaign (1944-45)
From Month/Year
December / 1944
To Month/Year
April / 1945
Description On December 15, 1944, landings against minimal resistance were made on the southern beaches of the island of Mindoro, a key location in the planned Lingayen Gulf operations, in support of major landings scheduled on Luzon. On January 9, 1945, on the south shore of Lingayen Gulf on the western coast of Luzon, General Krueger's Sixth Army landed his first units. Almost 175,000 men followed across the twenty-mile (32 km) beachhead within a few days. With heavy air support, Army units pushed inland, taking Clark Field, 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Manila, in the last week of January.
Two more major landings followed, one to cut off the Bataan Peninsula, and another, that included a parachute drop, south of Manila. Pincers closed on the city and, on February 3, 1945, elements of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division pushed into the northern outskirts of Manila and the 8th Cavalry Regiment (organized as infantry) passed through the northern suburbs and into the city itself.
As the advance on Manila continued from the north and the south, the Bataan Peninsula was rapidly secured. On February 16, paratroopers and amphibious units simultaneously assaulted the islet of Corregidor. It was necessary to take this stronghold because troops there can block the entrance of Manila Bay. The Americans needed to establish a major harbor base at Manila Bay to support the expected invasion of Japan, planned to begin on November 1, 1945. Resistance on Corregidor ended on February 27, and then all resistance by the Japanese Empire ceased on August 15, 1945, obviating the need for an invasion of the Japanese Home Islands.
Despite initial optimism, fighting in Manila was harsh. It took until March 3 to clear the city of all Japanese troops, and the Japanese Marines, who fought on stubbornly and refused to either surrender or to evacuate as the Japanese Army had done. Fort Drum, a fortified island in Manila Bay near Corregidor, held out until 13 April, when a team of Army troops went ashore and pumped 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the fort, then set off incendiary charges. No Japanese soldiers in Fort Drum survived the blast and fire.
In all, ten U.S. divisions and five independent regiments battled on Luzon, making it the largest American campaign of the Pacific war, involving more troops than the United States had used in North Africa, Italy, or southern France.
