John S. Thach was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated from and commissioned an ENS in the United States Navy on 20 June 1927. He became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He commanded the carrier Sicily during the Korean conflict and later Franklin D. Roosevelt. In addition to these commands, LCDR Thach was also assigned to various high level staff billets. He was promoted to the rank of RADM in November 1955, VADM in January 1960, and ADM in March 1965. ADM Thach became commander of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Force of the Pacific Fleet in 1960, and in recognition of his work the Navy annually awards the best Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron “The Admiral Thach Award.” In 1965 ADM Thach was ordered to duty as Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe and served there until his retirement in May 1967, after more than 40 years service. With 6 aerial victories during World War II, he became a Navy ACE.
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
U.S.S. SicilyAction Date:
August 3, 1950 – January 15, 1951
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 268 (February 20, 1951)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain John Smith Thach (NSN: 0-61281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SICILY in operations against the enemy from 3 August 1950 to 15 January 1951. With outstanding ability, energy, and high tactical skill, he operated his ship and its embarked Air Group as a unit of the United Nations Naval Forces, furnishing invaluable support to our fighting forces in Korea by the destruction of enemy air opposition, troop concentrations, and the interdiction of the enemy’s lines of communications, supplies, and bases. During this period, the ship maintained a superior performance in every phase of operations and the immediate and effective response to calls for extra efforts reflected the highest caliber of leadership. His outstanding ability, professional skill, and thorough knowledge of tactical and operational requirements were in a large measure responsible for the successful accomplishment of the assigned missions of the Task Force. His distinguished performance above and beyond the normal call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Thach is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)Division:
U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)Action Date:
June 4, 1942
CIN; Serial 19 (July 20, 1942)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Smith Thach (NSN: 0-61281), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the “Air Battle of Midway.” On 4 June 1942, he led a Division of his Squadron against an overwhelming number of enemy fighters in an effort to protect our attacking torpedo squadron. Without regard for extreme danger from anti-aircraft fire, he courageously attacked the enemy planes and shot down three enemy fighters. Again in the afternoon he led an attack against enemy torpedo planes attacking his carrier and shot down one of them. The courageous leadership and utter disregard for personal safety, displayed by him in this attack, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)Division:
U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)Action Date:
February 20 – June 4, 1942
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 19 (July 20, 1942)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Commander John Smith Thach (NSN: 0-61281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the first six months of World War II. The remarkable quality of leadership displayed by Lieutenant Commander Thach was exemplified in the thorough and comprehensive training of his pilots in both their brilliant combat tactics and excellent gunnery. The resultant high states of combat efficiency attained by his squadron enabled it to play a decisive and major part in the destruction of nineteen of the twenty enemy Japanese bombers which attacked an aircraft carrier on 20 February 1942, and to make an essential contribution to the success of the air attack on Salamaua and Lae, New Guinea, on 10 March 1942. The effectiveness of his unique system of fighting plane combat teams, evolved from a detailed study of action reports of the Coral Sea Battle and taught not only to his own pilots but to all of the fighting squadrons in the Hawaiian area, was demonstrated north of Midway Island on 4 June 1942. In this engagement, Lieutenant Commander Thach led a four plane division of fighter planes from his squadron against twenty enemy “zero” fighters during the successful attacks by our carrier based planes against enemy carriers, destroyed six enemy fighters and repulsed the others with the loss of only one of his four planes.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderAction Date:
August 18, 1944 – January 25, 1945
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01223 (February 5, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander John Smith Thach (NSN: 0-61281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander SECOND Carrier Task Force Pacific, from 18 August 1944 to 25 January 1945, in operations against Palau and Philippine Islands, Formosa, the Nansei Shoto Group and the coast of Indo-China. His conduct of aerial operations, based on exceptional ingenuity as a tactician and utilization of previously unexploited aircraft potentialities resulted in devastating damage to enemy aircraft, shipping and ground installations. The successful accomplishment of the missions under his direction made possible the re-capture of vastly important territories in the war of the Pacific. His courage and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Thach is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Board Serial 77P60 (February 17, 1967)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral John Smith Thach (NSN: 0-61281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces, Europe, from March 1965 to March 1967. As the principal advisor to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Forces Europe, and the Chief of Naval Operations on naval matters pertaining to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Admiral Thach served with distinction, participating directly in the formulation of strategic concepts and plans in defense of United States interests. In his role as senior United States military officer in London, he displayed outstanding judgment and finesse in representing both the United States Government and USCINCEUR in dealing with British military and civil authorities. Through his exceptional grasp of the important international pressures that were mounting in his area of responsibility, and his timely observations and recommendations in regard thereto, Admiral Thach has made a major contribution toward protecting the security interests of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and has enabled seniors to readily focus their attention on matters of strategic importance as they evolved. Under his expert guidance, a subordinate task force located and recovered a nuclear weapon from the waters of the Mediterranean under extremely difficult circumstances — an action of the utmost importance to the United States. By his inspirational leadership, astute sense of diplomacy, and distinguished achievements, Admiral Thach has enhanced the prestige of the United States in the Mediterranean area and has upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)Division:
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)Action Date:
February 20, 1942
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 6 (April 13, 1942)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Smith Thach (NSN: 0-61281), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron THREE (VF3), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), when on 20 February 1942, in enemy waters, he led his Squadron in repeated attacks against two nine-plane formations of Japanese twin-engine heavy bombers which resulted in the destruction of sixteen of the eighteen enemy aircraft engaged. Through his courage and skill he shot down one enemy bomber, and with the assistance of his teammates, shot down a second bomber. Lieutenant Commander Thach’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)Division:
U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)Action Date:
October 13 – 15, 1944
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force: Serial 0732The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander John Smith Thach (NSN: 0-61281), United States Navy, for gallantry, and intrepidity in action while serving as Operations Officer on the Staff of the Commander, Task Group THIRTY EIGHT POINT ONE (TG-38.1) during the period 13 through 15 October 1944, off Formosa. While the Task Group was covering the withdrawal of two crippled cruisers against repeated and persistent enemy air attacks, his skillful handling of our air forces, effective strategy and unerring judgment forced the enemy to break off his attacks, and in a large measure contributed to the salvaging of the crippled ships. His courage and disregard for his own safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.