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Photo # 80-G-K-14025: Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach wearing flight helmet, goggles and inflatable life vest, circa 1942-1943.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Admiral John Smith Thach, USN, (1905-1981)

John S. Thach was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on 19 April 1905. After graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1927, he spent two years serving in battleships before entering flight training in 1929. Designated a Naval Aviator early in 1930, he received several flight assignments over the next decade and gained a reputation as an expert in aerial gunnery, test pilot and instructor. During the early 1940s, while commanding Fighting Squadron Three, Thach developed the fighter combat technique that came to be known as the "Thach Weave", a tactic that enabled the generally mediocre performing U.S. fighters of the day to hold their own against the Japanese "Zero".

Lieutenant Commander Thach led "Fighting Three" from USS Lexington (CV-2) in early Pacific actions, and from USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the June 1942 Battle of Midway. After a period of instructing other pilots in combat tactics, Commander Thach became Operations Officer to Vice Admiral John S. McCain's fast carrier task forces, and was present at the Formal Japanese Surrender on 2 September 1945.

Thach served in several air training staff assignments during the later 1940s. He commanded USS Sicily (CVE-118) in action during the Korean War and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) in 1953-54. Attaining flag rank in 1955, he held a number of important assignments, including command of the antisubmarine development unit Task Group Alpha in 1958-59, with USS Valley Forge (CVS-45) as his flagship. Rising to full Admiral over the next decade, Admiral Thach was Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, from March 1965 until shortly before his retirement in May 1967. He died on 15 April 1981.

USS Thach (FFG-43) was named in honor of Admiral John S. Thach.

This page features a selection of photographic portraits of John S. Thach.

For informal views of Admiral Thach and views related to him, see:

  • Informal Views of and related to John S. Thach, through 1943; and
  • Informal Views of John S. Thach after 1943.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: 80-G-K-13945 (Color)

    Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, USN


    Photographed in 1942-43.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 80KB; 600 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-14025 (Color)

    Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, USN


    Wearing flight helmet, goggles and inflatable life vest, 1942-43.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 88KB; 585 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 92747

    Lieutenant Commander John Smith Thach, USN


    Photographed about 1942.

    Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, Annapolis, Maryland, 1981.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 59KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-64831

    Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, USN


    Photographed in the cockpit of an F4F "Wildcat" fighter, 10 April 1942, while commanding Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3).
    Japanese flags on the plane commemorate "kills" Thach made while flying from USS Lexington (CV-2) on 20 February 1942.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 96872

    Rear Admiral John S. Thach, USN


    Portrait photograph, dated 30 October 1957.


    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

    Online Image: 103KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-23172 (Color)

    Rear Admiral John S. Thach, USN


    Photographed in November 1957.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 115KB; 585 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: USN 1068358

    Vice Admiral John S. Thach, USN


    Photographic portrait, taken 27 July 1962.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

    Online Image: 74KB; 590 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1068358.

     
    Photo #: NH 96873

    Admiral John S. Thach, USN


    Portrait photograph by PH1 E.G. Fredette, 26 February 1965.


    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

    Online Image: 74KB; 595 x 765 pixels

     

    For informal views of John S. Thach and views related to him, see:

  • Informal Views of and related to John S. Thach, through 1943; and
  • Informal Views of John S. Thach after 1943.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 30 May 1999
    Coding updated 6 May 2009