George H. Gay, knowing that a war was eminent left his College (Texas A&M) and joined US Navy, after receiving his commission in September 1941, Ensign Gay was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8).  On June 4th 1942, while operating from the US aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) during the Battle of Midway, his squadron, commanded by Lt Cmdr Waldron was annihilated while making an unsupported torpedo attack on the Japanese carrier force.  Gay was the only survivor of the thirty pilots and radiomen after their attack.  After his plane went down, he witnessed the US dive bombing attacks that destroyed three of the four Japanese carriers that were present at this historic battle that turned the tide of the war.

This site is Dedicated to the memory of my grandfather
 George H. Gay, USNR     Born 3, 8, 1917
 Died 10, 21, 1994

  Torpedo Squadron Eight’s suicidal mission using obsolete aircraft was not in vain because their attack drew the Japanese fighters down from altitude and enabled the US dive bombers to make their bombing runs almost unopposed.  Ensign Gay spent about 30 hours in the ocean before he was rescued. After recovering from being shot multiple times Ensign George H. Gay’s photo was put on the cover of LIFE magazine in August 1942. He spent his life telling the story of Torpedo Squadron Eight and on October 21^st 1994 George Gay died. The US Navy then honored his final request and scattered his ashes over the site were his friends gave their lives defending their country.

These Battle of Midway Aviation Art Prints are currently for sale here directly from the Estate of the late Ensign George H. Gay. The Aviation Art Prints that are on this site were in storage for many years and were found still in mint condition.  Please feel free to click the images to the right to view these limited edition signed prints. All prices are not final; the pricing will increase as the limited stock diminishes.