Lt. Commander John C. Waldron, A Pillar in the Unbroken Line of Patriots

He gave his all at the Battle of Midway so that freedom might live and grow

The “Skipper” of Torpedo Squadron 8, Lt. Commander John C. Waldron (right) with his back-seater, Chief Radioman Horace Franklin Dobbs (left). The photo was taken shortly before the Battle of Midway.

In anticipation of the movie Midway coming out in November 2019, here’s a quick look at one of the heroes, Lt. Commander John C. Waldron.

The day before the Battle of Midway Waldron handed out a mimeographed message to the men of Torpedo Squadron 8 on the Hornet that concluded with:

“… I actually believe that under these conditions we are the best in the world. My greatest hope is that we encounter a favorable tactical situation, but if we don’t, and the worst comes to the worst, I want each of us to do his utmost to destroy our enemies. If there is only one plane left to make a final run-in, I want that man to go in and get a hit, May God be with us all. Good luck, happy landings, and give ’em hell.”

Squadron Commander Waldron wasn’t being melodramatic, he had concerns about the plan of battle. His air group commander had decided to keep the…