Robert Kingsbury Huntington
Encyclopedia
Robert Kingsbury Huntington (13 March 1921 – 5 June 1942), was a naval aircrewman and member of Torpedo Squadron 8 (or VT-8
). Along with his entire squadron, Huntington was shot down during the Battle of Midway
, on 4–5 June 1942.
Born in Los Angeles, California
, enlisted in the United States Navy
21 April 1941. He served on board Lexington (CV-2)
and was rated aviation radioman third class before being transferred to Torpedo Squadron 8 on board Hornet (CV-8)
. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross
for heroism and extraordinary achievement as rear gunner in a torpedo plane during an attack against enemy Japan
ese forces in the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942. Flying without fighter support and with insufficient fuel to return to their carrier, Huntington and his fellow crewmember pressed home their attack with utter disregard for their own personal safety, in the face of a tremendous antiaircraft barrage and overwhelming fighter opposition. Huntington was one of 29 from Torpedo Squadron 8 who gave their lives in this attack.
, an Allen M. Sumner-class
destroyer
, was named in his honor.
Robert K. Huntington attended The Lakeside School in Seattle Washington in 1940 after transferring from Pasadena College. Lakeside is the same prep school attended by Bill Gates ('73) and Paul Allen ('71).
VT-8
Torpedo Squadron 8 was a United States Navy squadron of World War II torpedo bombers assigned initially to the Air Group operating from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet , until after her loss in October 1942 during the Battle of Santa Cruz Island...
). Along with his entire squadron, Huntington was shot down during the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
, on 4–5 June 1942.
Born in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, enlisted in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
21 April 1941. He served on board Lexington (CV-2)
USS Lexington (CV-2)
USS Lexington , nicknamed the "Gray Lady" or "Lady Lex," was an early aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. She was the lead ship of the , though her sister ship was commissioned a month earlier...
and was rated aviation radioman third class before being transferred to Torpedo Squadron 8 on board Hornet (CV-8)
USS Hornet (CV-8)
USS Hornet CV-8, the seventh ship to carry the name Hornet, was a of the United States Navy. During World War II in the Pacific Theater, she launched the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and participated in the Battle of Midway and the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai Raid...
. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
for heroism and extraordinary achievement as rear gunner in a torpedo plane during an attack against enemy Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese forces in the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942. Flying without fighter support and with insufficient fuel to return to their carrier, Huntington and his fellow crewmember pressed home their attack with utter disregard for their own personal safety, in the face of a tremendous antiaircraft barrage and overwhelming fighter opposition. Huntington was one of 29 from Torpedo Squadron 8 who gave their lives in this attack.
Namesake
The USS Robert K. Huntington (DD-781)USS Robert K. Huntington (DD-781)
USS Robert K. Huntington , an , is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Robert Kingsbury Huntington, a naval aviator and member of Torpedo Squadron 8. The entire squadron was lost during the Battle of Midway.Robert K...
, an Allen M. Sumner-class
Allen M. Sumner class destroyer
The Allen M. Sumner class was a group of 58 destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Another twelve ships were completed as destroyer minelayers...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
, was named in his honor.
Robert K. Huntington attended The Lakeside School in Seattle Washington in 1940 after transferring from Pasadena College. Lakeside is the same prep school attended by Bill Gates ('73) and Paul Allen ('71).