Background
C. Wade McClusky, Junior. was born in Buffalo, New York, on 1 June 1902.
C. Wade McClusky, Junior. was born in Buffalo, New York, on 1 June 1902.
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1926, the same class as Max Leslie, and became a Naval Aviator three years later.
He is credited with playing a major part in the
Over the next decade, he served in several air units, as well as on command staffs, as an instructor at the Naval Academy and at shore facilities. In 1940 he was assigned to Fighting Squadron Six (VF-6), based on United States Ship Enterprise, and assumed command of that squadron in April 1941. Lieutenant Commander McClusky became Enterprise air group commander in April 1942.
During the, while leading his air group"s scout bombers on 4 June 1942, he made the critical tactical decision that led to the sinking of two of Japan"s fleet carriers, Kaga, and Akagi.
When McClusky could not find the Japanese carriers where he expected them, and with his air group"s fuel running dangerously low, he spotted the Japanese destroyer Arashi steaming north at flank speed. (The Arashi had stayed behind to attack the United States Ship Nautilus, which had been harassing the Japanese fleet) Taking the Arashi"s heading led him directly to the enemy carriers.
He then directed his dive-bombers into an attack which led to the destruction of both Kaga and Akagi. A squadron from the Yorktown, led by Max Leslie, had taken off an hour later, but it used a more recent, and hence more accurate, sighting for the location of the Japanese carriers.
lieutenant arrived at the same moment as the Enterprise"s bombers and attacked the Soryu, and within minutes, three of the four Japanese carriers had been turned into burning hulks.
McClusky, through his intelligence, courage and sheer luck, had thus made a vital contribution to the outcome of this pivotal battle. Later in World World War II, he commanded the escort carrier United States Ship Corregidor. Captain McClusky served in a variety of staff and shore positions in the later 1940s.
He commanded Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois, in 1952-1953, and the Boston Group of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in 1954-1956.
McClusky retired from active duty in July 1956. At that time, in recognition of his vital contributions to the outcome of World World War II, he was advanced to flag rank.
United States Ship McClusky (FFG-41) was named in his honor. The Wade McClusky Award is given annually to the most outstanding attack squadron in the United States Navy.
In the 1949 film Task Force, he was portrayed by actor Bruce Bennett.
In the 1976 film Midway, he was portrayed by actor Christopher George. in the 1988 television miniseries War and Remembrance, he was portrayed by actor Earl Hindman. In the 2008 History Channel"s American television documentary Battle 360°, Wade McClusky is mentioned in Episode 2 - Vengeance at Midway.