Edward Kinzer

August 22, 1917 (age 24)

Rock, West Virginia, Mercer County, United States of America

He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 26 February 1941, was appointed Aviation Cadet on 3 April 1941, and was commissioned as an ensign on 20 October 1941. On 12 November 1941 he was assigned to Scouting Squadron 5 on board the aircraft carrier United States Ship Yorktown (CV-5) as a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber pilot. Considered an aggressive and skillful pilot, Kinzer flew with Scouting Squadron 5 in the Battle of the Coral Sea during World World War World War II He contributed materially to the sinking or damaging of eight Japanese vessels in Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942 and the sinking of the Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō on 7 May 1942. On 8 May 1942, while piloting his dive bomber on anti-torpedo plane patrol during the battle, he died while fiercely engaging "the continued attack of enemy bombing and torpedo planes and their fighter support." The United States. Navy destroyer escort United States Ship Kinzer (Delaware-232) was named for Ensign Kinzer. After she was launched in 1943, she was converted into the fast transport United States Ship Kinzer (APD-91), and was in commission as such from 1944 to 1946.

Edward B. Kinzer

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Background

Edward Blaine Kinzer was born in Rock, West Virginia, on 22 August 1917.

Career

He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 26 February 1941, was appointed Aviation Cadet on 3 April 1941, and was commissioned as an ensign on 20 October 1941. On 12 November 1941 he was assigned to Scouting Squadron 5 on board the aircraft carrier United States Ship Yorktown (CV-5) as a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber pilot. Considered an aggressive and skillful pilot, Kinzer flew with Scouting Squadron 5 in the Battle of the Coral Sea during World World War World War II He contributed materially to the sinking or damaging of eight Japanese vessels in Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942 and the sinking of the Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō on 7 May 1942.

On 8 May 1942, while piloting his dive bomber on anti-torpedo plane patrol during the battle, he died while fiercely engaging "the continued attack of enemy bombing and torpedo planes and their fighter support."

The United States. Navy destroyer escort United States Ship Kinzer (Delaware-232) was named for Ensign Kinzer.

After she was launched in 1943, she was converted into the fast transport United States Ship Kinzer (APD-91), and was in commission as such from 1944 to 1946.

Achievements

Kinzer was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism and extreme disregard of his own personal safety during the Battle of Coral Sea.

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Edward B. Kinzer

Background

Career

Achievements

Born

Died

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Awards

Kinzer was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism and extreme disregard of his own personal safety during the Battle of Coral Sea.