navalaviators

Very nice! Yüksel

To the left side of the frame is Claude William Haman (1904-1943) - USNA 1926, he'd perish from burns received while fighting a fire in the Bachelor Officers' Quarters at US Naval Air Station, Argentia, Newfoundland, on January 12, 1943. See: genealogytrails.com/cal/placer/military/ww2articlespg1.html From July 1937 until May 1940, Commander Haman served consecutively with Patrol Squadron 1 and Patrol Squadron 8 (later re-designated Patrol Squadron 24) attached to Aircraft Squadrons based at Pearl Harbor, T.H. The following month he reported for duty in command of Observation Squadron 2, with additional duty in the USS TENNESSEE and commanded that squadron until January 1942, shortly after the outbreak of World War II. Commander Haman then had charge of fitting out Patrol Squadron 93 and assumed command upon its commissioning, January 5, 1942. In October of that year, he reported for duty as operations officer on the staff of the Commander, Patrol Wing 7. Commander Haman died on January 12, 1943 as the result of burns received in a fire in the Bachelor Officers' Quarters, Naval Operating Base, Argentia, Newfoundland, and for his heroism at that time was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal with the following citation: "For heroic action and outstanding devotion to duty during a fire in the Bachelor Officers' Quarters, Naval Operating Base, Argentia, Newfoundland, on January 12, 1943. Discovering a fire in the north end of the corridor, Commander Haman, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, ignored a nearby exit through which he could have escaped, seized a hand fire extinguisher, and rushed toward the center of the flames in an attempt to check the fire which endangered the officers under his command. As he staggered from the blaze, fatally burned, his only concern was for the safety of his men. His great personal valor and spirit of self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." Commander Haman was also posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. In addition to the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the Purple Heart Medal, Commander Haman was also entitled to the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal. His next of kin, his widow, Mrs. Nina Perry Haman, lives at 71 North Marlborough Street, East, Greenwich, Rhode Island. [Prepared 12-27-1946. Biography courtesy of the Department of the Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command]

Robert C. Brixner (1903-1957) - USNA 1927, at center, commanded Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44) and its Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina flying boats during the Battle of Midway. See: vp44goldenpelicans.com/VP-44%20Ford%20Island%20&%20Mi...

Caption written on the back of this photo: www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/9843660033/