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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)
Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign (1944)/Battle of Tinian
From Month/Year
July / 1944
To Month/Year
August / 1944
Description The Battle of Tinian was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from 24 July until 1 August 1944. The 9,000-man Japanese garrison was eliminated, and the island joined Saipan and Guam as a base for the Twentieth Air Force.
The 4th Marine Division landed on 24 July 1944, supported by naval bombardment and marine artillery firing across the strait from Saipan. With the help of Seabee ingenuity the Marines were able to land where the Japanese did not expect, along the Northwest coast with its water's edge small coral cliffs. A successful feint for the major settlement of Tinian Town diverted defenders from the actual landing site on the north of the island. They withstood a series of night counterattacks supported by tanks, and the 2nd Marine Division landed the next day.
The weather worsened on 28 July, damaging the pontoon causeways, and interrupting the unloading of supplies. By 29 July, the Americans had captured half the island, and on 30 July the 4th Marine Division occupied Tinian Town and Airfield No. 4.
Japanese remnants made a final stand in the caves and ravines of a limestone ridge on the south portion of the island, making probes and counterattacks into the Marine line. Resistance continued through 3 August, with some civilians murdered by the Japanese.
Aftermath
By 10 August 1944, 13,000 Japanese civilians were interned, but up to 4,000 were dead through suicide, murdered by Japanese troops or killed in combat. The garrison on Aguijan Island off the southwest cape of Tinian, commanded by Lieutenant Kinichi Yamada, held out until the end of the war, surrendering on 4 September 1945. The last holdout on Tinian, Murata Susumu, was captured in 1953.
After the battle, Tinian became an important base for further Allied operations in the Pacific campaign. Camps were built for 50,000 troops. Fifteen thousand Seabees turned the island into the busiest airfield of the war, with six 7,900-foot (2,400 m) runways for attacks by United States Army Air Forces B-29 Superfortress bombers on enemy targets in the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, and mainland Japan, including the March 9/10 1945 Operation Meetinghouse firebombing of Tokyo and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. North Field was built over Airfields No. 1 and 3, and became operational in February 1945, while West Field was built over Airfield No. 2, and became operational in March 1945.
