This page features informal views of John S. Thach from the early years of his Naval career up to the mid-point of World War II, as well as views of contemporary subjects directly related to him.
For other views of John S. Thach, see:
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-450865 Naval Aviators and Motion Picture Actors Standing by a Curtiss F8C-4 aircraft of Fighting Squadron 1-B, at Naval Air Station, North Island, California, 16 September 1931, while filming the movie "Helldivers". Those present are (from left to right): Actor Cliff Edwards; Lieutenant (Junior Grade) John S. Thach, USN; Actor Clark Gable; Actor (and USNR Officer) Wallace Beery; Lieutenant (Junior Grade) H.S. Duckworth, USN, and Lieutenant (Junior Grade) E.P. Southwick, USN. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 131KB; 740 x 595 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-PR-1154 Grumman F4F-3 "Wildcat" fighter, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) Prepares to take off from USS Saratoga (CV-3), circa October 1941. The plane's pilot is probably Lt. John S. Thach, VF-3 Commanding Officer. Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-457493 Lieutenant Edward H. ("Butch") O'Hare, USN, (left) and Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, USN Shaking hands in front of a Grumman F4F "Wildcat" fighter plane at an Oahu air base, circa April-May 1942. Both men were assigned to Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3), of which Thach was Commanding Officer. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 109KB; 585 x 675 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-10613 Grumman F4F-3 "Wildcat" fighters, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) In flight near Naval Air Station, Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, 10 April 1942. The planes are Bureau # 3976 (marked "F-1"), flown by VF-3 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, and Bureau # 3986, flown by Lieutenant Edward H. O'Hare. Both of these aircraft were lost while assigned to Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2) with USS Lexington (CV-2), during the Battle of Coral Sea in May 1942. Photographed by Photographer Second Class H.S. Fawcett. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 620 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-64822 Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, USN, Commanding Officer, Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) Photographed on 5 May 1942, in the cockpit of a Grumman F4F "Wildcat" fighter plane. Note "victory" markings painted below the cockpit. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-66154 Grumman F4F-4 "Wildcat" Fighter (Bureau # 5171), of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) At Naval Air Station, Kaneohe, Oahu, on 29 May 1942, with ground crewmen folding the starboard wing. On 4 June 1942, in the Battle of Midway, this plane was flown by Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, VF-3's Commanding Officer, during the afternoon combat air patrol defending USS Yorktown (CV-5), wherein Thach probably shot down Lieutenant Joichi Tomonaga, leader of the attacking Japanese torpedo planes. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 595 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
For other views of John S. Thach, see:
NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 30 May 1999
Coding updated 6 May 2009