Samuel Adams (naval officer)
| Samuel Adams | |
|---|---|
Samuel Adams, USN
|
|
| Born |
April 10, 1912 Northampton, Massachusetts |
| Died | June 6, 1942 (aged 30) Killed in action in the Pacific theatre |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1935-1942 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant (j.g.) |
| Battles/wars |
World War II *Battle of Coral Sea *Battle of Midway |
| Awards | Navy Cross (3) |
Samuel Adams (April 10, 1912 – June 6, 1942) was an officer in the United States Navy decorated for action in the Battle of Midway during World War II.
Born in Northampton, Massachusetts, Adams was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from the state's second Congressional district in 1931, and graduated in 1935 with an appointment to the rank of ensign. Adams was assigned to sea duty on battleships, serving aboard the USS West Virginia in June and July 1935, immediately reassigned to the USS Tennessee until January 2, 1938. He was then accepted to flight school at NAS Pensacola, where he earned his flight wings on January 17, 1939.
Soon promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.), Adams was assigned to aircraft carrier duty, first aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) for one month (April–May 1939) and then with the Fifth Bomb Squadron (VB 5) aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-5), from May 13, 1939 to the end of his career. While with Yorktown, Adams flew Northrop BT-1s, later transitioning with the rest of the squadron to the SBD Dauntless aircraft, flying escort for North Atlantic convoys until the U.S. entered the war.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Yorktown was sent to the Pacific theater. Adams took part in raids in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. He led raids on land and sea targets in and around Jaluit on February 1, 1942, against shipping off New Guinea on March 10, and on the island of Tulagi on May 4. He participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7 and 8. During this period Adams was twice awarded the Navy Cross.
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