Lance E. Massey was born in Syracuse, New York, on 20 September 1909. A 1930 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he became a Naval aviator in 1932. In the first months of the Pacific War, he served with Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) on USS Enterprise (CV-6) and later took command of Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3), flying from USS Yorktown (CV-5). On 4 June 1942, during the Battle of Midway, Lieutenant Commander Massey was killed in action while leading his squadron in an attack on the Japanese aircraft carrier force.
USS Massey (DD-778) was named in his honor.
This page features views concerning Lance E. Massey.
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Photo #: 80-G-66074 Lieutenant Commander Lance E. Massey, USN, Commanding Officer, Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3) Seated in his Douglas TBD-1 "Devastator" torpedo plane, at Naval Air Station Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, 24 May 1942. Massey was killed in action on 4 June 1942, while leading VT-3 in an attack on the Japanese carrier force during the Battle of Midway. Note "Victory" flag marking on the plane, representing the sinking of a Japanese ship during the Marshall Islands Raid, 1 February 1942, when he was Executive Officer of Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) on USS Enterprise (CV-6). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 84KB; 640 x 675 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 95554 Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3) Squadron pilots, photographed Naval Air Station, Kaneohe, Hawaii, in late May 1942, just before the Battle of Midway. Most of these men lost their lives in that action. Those present are identified in Photo # NH 95554 (Complete Caption). Courtesy of Captain John W. Myers, USN(Retired), 1985. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 131KB; 740 x 460 pixels |
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NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 23 May 1999
Coding updated 6 May 2009