Harold John Ellison (17 January 1917 - 5 June 1942), was a naval aviator and member of Torpedo Squadron 8, the whole of which was lost during the Battle of Midway. Harold Ellison was born in Buffalo, New York, and was appointed Ensign 20 October 1941 after completing flight training. Soon afterwards he reported to Torpedo Squadron 8 on board famous carrier Hornet (CV-8). In the pivotal battle of Midway, 4 and 5 June 1942, Ellison and his comrades led a torpedo attack on the Japanese ships, pressing home, the attack without fighter cover and knowing they had insufficient fuel to return to Hornet. Though no hits were scored in this first attack, the torpedo bombers diverted the Japanese ships, decoyed their combat air patrols away from Navy dive bombers, and thus contributed importantly to the great victory. Ensign Ellison was presumed dead 5 June 1942 and received the Navy Cross posthumously for his gallantry. The USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864) was named in his honor.
References
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
