Carrier Pilots Who Earned the Medal of Honor 

I am a french citizen and the U.S was my home for 28 years. America tought me patriotism, friendship and honor. I had the priviledge of meeting vietnam vets, désert storm vets, pilots from the Air force, had the opportunity of flying with air force pilots and vietnam vets as i am a pilot as well, and frequently practiced PARs at NELLIS AFB. America has been good to me and i am ALWAYS greatful. After these many years i can only live the rest of my life with the american constitution and the souvenir of these great men and women that too often gave their lives for the rest of us, even they are the ones who deserve it most.... Thank you Ward, your stories are heartwarming. GOD bless you Sir.

The idea of trying to hack your friend out of a wreck and having to leave him in those circumstances is utterly heartbreaking.

Ward, this episode was sorely needed. Your historical research and story explanation is what brings these incredible men to life. Thanks Ward.

Six words sum up these six hero's.... "Where do we get such men?"

I can listen to Ward narrate these well prepared and researched true hero stories all day!! Great insight and greater respect!! Jim C.

These aviators certainly put the "honor" in the Medal of Honor. Like your other videos (e.g., the crash videos), this one reminds us of the respect and gratitude our service personnel are due.

John Thach innovated the Thach weave an technique for combat that was well know to all navy pacific fighter pilots. John Thach became a 3 star Admiral. The story was highlighted in a TV show called Men of Anapolis.

The amazing thing to me about these guys is that most of them will argue that they were just doing their jobs and the MOH citation was not really deserved.

I had never heard LCDR Estocin's story. I only knew that it was an award given to squadrons for superior all around performance and that it was named after an aviator. Thanks!

I had the distinct honor and privilege to work on the U.S.S. Hudner at Bath Iron Works. Bath built is best built.

That story about Brown & Hudner is heartbreaking. Leaving people behind is awful, even when there's no choice.

Hey Ward was that an actual picture of my Dad's plane ? I'd love a copy of that. I do have a bone to pick with John Nichols because there are two different stories about what happened that day. I enjoyed your segment, Thank you, Kathy Estocin-Foley

I was the other "Iron Hand" strike leader in VA-192. Mike & I would flip a coin in the evening before the days "Alpha" strikes to see who would take the morning or afternoon missions. Since the Commanding & I wrote & submitted the Squadrons awards, I was assigned to write Mikes Medal Of Honor citation & justification for the award combining the two separate missions. The Presentation of the posthumous award was delayed until 1977 because of questions concerning his death.

Great story telling Ward, my wife has just walked by and asked why my eyes are weepy looking ? No doubt these true warriors were welcomed in Valhalla for eternity.

Loved the photo of Brown & Hudner playing Acey Deucy in the ready room!

Not sure if any comments mentioned but I believe Hudner’s friend Jessie Brown was the first black carrier pilot. Hudner’s biography is a good read.

We are honoured to have such dedicated people defending our freedoms.

Ward, I have watched all of your videos and read all of your Punk novels. Your words bring to me a sense of validation. I served in the Navy as a maintainer, 78-83, with VAQ-138 and VT-22 during my 5 year tenure with the Navy. I made the maiden Med deployment aboard Ike in 79, and 2 more aboard JFK during that time, the last one and a half cruises as Flight Deck Troubleshooter for the Powerplants Shop. Also did a 2 week Det aboard the Lady Lex in 83 to Carrier Qual a class of student pilots. Your writing and narration bring it all back to me. All the hardships and triumphs of deployment, all the sense of duty, all the fun on liberty. You bring about the side of the whole thing that was mostly hidden for me, the flight crew's point of view. As someone who lived it at sea and ashore, your writing brings it all flooding back. I remember all of it. The smell aboard ship of sweat and JP-5, the sometimes horrible chow in the mess deck, bug juice, the long hours on the flight deck in all kinda weather imaginable, the hope that your birds come home unbroken. The joy of getting a bird up right before launch. Thank you for this revisitation. This all happened many years ago, but the experiences I had will stay with me until death. The rare thank you from the maintenance Master Chief. The men I served with are Brothers to this day, and some of us are still in touch. Thanks again Sir.

Knew the stories and needed to hear them again. While these sailors all received the Medal of Honor, this is a good time to remember our soldiers, sailors and marines in combat (read in Kabul, Afghanistan) who surely have been in harm's way doing brave work, conspicuous in its own right, saving the lives of others who need help. Thank you, Ward, for the stories and timing.

Excellent video Ward. I never heard the LCDR Estocin story, but the painting has one of my Whales tanking him, so I’ll have to share it with the Skywarrior group.

I wish more folks could hear these stories. You really are doing right by these men, Mr. Carroll. Thanks.

Estocin……..”This time he’s pissed off”. 🤣. Love your storytelling!

Be it medal of honor or not, I could listen to these pilots stories all day long. Thank you for telling them!

Great stories. Definitely one of your best talents, your ability to tell a story.

I had the distinct privilege of meeting Captain Thomas Hudner at the grand opening of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on December 7, 2007. He was every bit a gentleman and it is an honor to have shaken his hand. Somewhere, I even have a photo of him, my wife, and me. Great video Mooch!

Growing up in a military family (Army) during the Vietnam Era, with a grandfather who served in the 42nd Infantry Division (Rainbow Division) I always looked up to the men in my family and those in general who served in the military and loved to read all the history I could get my hands on growing up. I also loved to read about all of our MOH winners as I found all of them truly inspiring! Thanks you for another great video!!! 👍

I've read about 'Butch'...a totally valid reward, just for succeeding against all of the odds stacked against him. A true aviation hero.

Ward, these men are role models, their heroic actions should never be forgotten.

Thanks for this video, Ward. It's nice to be reminded of a time when our military leadership and our national leadership knew how to fight and win wars, as epitomized by the Greatest Generation and its magnificent men.

Brought tears to my eyes knowing what great service men and women we have that will give everything for our country!! Such a great video seeing them getting the "Medal of Honor" for their sacrifices they gave and lived with the rest of their lives! ❤⚓🎖

Thanks for posting this episode! It's so great learning about people like these who go above and beyond to exemplify what the Medal of Honor stands for and to inspire others!

I learned more from this video than my 13 years in the Navy! Thanks for sharing these incredible stories and keeping their memories alive!!

Thanks for honoring these warriors, Commander.

I especially loved that Hudner-Browne story and the subsequent ship naming result. I wonder if a movie ever depicted this story?

The American public and especially school age children need to learn more about such men. They need to understand the real sacrifices that were made by these valiant flesh and blood men.

Thanks for taking the time and put these stories out. It's the only way the youth of today will understand how brave these guys were. RIP to all of the amazing heroes.

"...even if I have to lay it on the flight deck!" , I get chills hearing that. That's some motivational hype talk that'd you'd hear someone say while trying to drive the point home to be committed and express just how important the upcoming task is. I could only imagine seeing that happen in the air and on the enemy deck... "holy shit! he's actually going to lay that mf'r on the flight deck!!"

Thank You ! To all who served our country. God Bless you all !

Wow, goose bumps the whole way through. Thank you for sharing these wonderful stories.

I love these stories. Our Navy heroes.

Having served on a carrier in the air department (V2) I can say that these stories resonate with me at the highest level and my pride and admiration for these MOH awardees is beyond description.

Well presented Ward. Best wishes from a long time admirer of U.S. naval aviation in the U.K.

My dad did a 9 month world cruise on the USS Bonn Homme Richard from 1959 to 1960. David McCambell was the ships captain

Outstanding. Love your history lessons. From an old USS Enterprise petty officer. Was fortunate enough to watch the filming of Top Gun. Tom Cruise cannot throw dog tags or anything else I imagine, worth a damn.

Great stories, Ward! We need more like those. I spent 2 years on the Tico (68-70). It was a great experience. Thanks again@

I bought my house about 3,800 fee north of NAS Miramar in 1987, well before Tustin and El Toro were closed and moved there with the Navy op squadrons moving to Lemoore (et al) and Top Gun moving to Fallon. I still love living here as I've always believed jet noise is the sound of freedom. OMG the F-35C's are soooo much louder than the Super Hornets (different story for a different day). I know you were pretty much an East coast sailor and your stories are heavily there. Could you come up with a good West coast story? You must have known a handful of guys that went through Top Gun. If you do or don't, I still think your work is excellent! Thanks a great deal!!

Perfectly timed because of what happened in Kabul, yesterday 💔

When I was a very young teen, I devoured every book I could find on WWII history, specifically US naval history. These incredible aviators were in my personal pantheon of heroes, along with men like Mush Morton and Eugene Fluckey. They are still bigger-than-life heroes to me. Thanks for this episode, Sir.

Blue on blue....heart breaking! As always, great stories of the finest in Naval Aviation!

Fortunately we have always had our fair share of men like this, some recognized some not. But when there is a need the man will appear. The number of men both Officer and Enlisted I served with in the Marines that would on a daily basis go above and beyond was astounding and when I retired it was one of the things I sorely missed. Working with the caliber of men who daily went above and beyond is something rarely found in the civilian world with the exception of emergency personnel.

By the time you reiterated a few times the stories were all about MoH awardees that earned in the air, I figured out Jim Stockdale would not be in the story. Although I was never in the military and never in the intel community I was invited as a guest to the "Red Tie Luncheon" one year in San Diego (just a few miles from our MITRE offiice at the Navy Lab on Point Loma). The speaker was Admiral Stockdale (long after retirement, before run with Ross Perot). He was brilliant! All 300 or so people in the room knew his story. When he concluded, the standing-O was amazing!!! I will never forget that. I will also never forget what the press did to him during the campaign.

Love your Les Paul in the background, your playing ain't bad either; but your historical knowledge and the gift of gab surpassed your musical skill without a question! Keep on flying!

Great job Ward. HS pilot here, CVW 3, 1, and 5 in the order (JFK, America, and Kitty Hawk).

Thank you, you're a great story-teller, Mooch. Also, it was during the time that LCDR Thach was flying with Butch O'Hare as his wingman that he developed the Thach Weave. I wonder if CAPT David McCampbell's callsign was McSoup.

Wow, great episode. Thank you for posting this. Looking forward to the next video.

Though not carrier-based (but still ship-based), you should include Lieutenant Clyde Lassen. He was awarded the MOH for rescuing two downed naval aviators in North Vietnam in 1968. Two separate attempts, at night, under enemy fire, and after colliding with a tree. He finally resorted to turning on his landing lights (still under fire) in order to land and pick up his rescuees. The award citation doesn’t state specifically, but I seem to remember reading that he was flying an HH-2 Seaprite.

Amazing acts of bravery and thanks for relating them. 🇬🇧

Ward - you do a terrific job! Keep on keepin on! More comments below.

At the end of the movie, "The Bridges At Toko Ri", when Rear Admiral George Tarrant learns that Lt. Brubaker had been shot down, and the rescue attempt further takes the lives of the helicopter crew sent to save him, says, "Where do we get such men? They leave this ship and they do their job. Then they must find this speck lost somewhere on the sea. When the find it they have to land on it's pitching deck. Where do we get such men?" Military history is replete with heroic actions, but only a few rise to the category of the Medal of Honor. When we ask our military to go into harms way, time and again, they do. God bless them all.

Concerning Mike Estocin, John B. Nichol's book On Yankee Station is an outstanding read. Not just for the stories, but for his clear, pragmatic analysis of every element of air warfare at the time.

Great episode. Just finished Punks War - intense and fantastic. Thanks

I mainly watch guitar/music oriented channels, but this is one of my all time favorite channels. You're doing a fantastic historical service, Ward. Keep up the great work. I'll keep watching. Cheers and thanks for your service! 🤘

Of the 100+ channels I'm subscribed to on RU-vid, your's is my all time favorite. Thank you for the great job you do creating these wonderful and informative videos and as a veteran myself thank you for your service to our country.

They are making a movie about brown and hudner now. They built a replica carrier deck at an airport and are using real corsairs and skyraiders for filming so it might be quite good

Such inspiration these me bring! Thank You for this episode.

Outstanding storytelling on your part. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and telling the stories that make this a successful channel :-)

Ward. Love this post. Congers many real-life instances of remarkable heroism in the here & now. By all means, keep'em coming!

Wonderfull & courageous men like these are the reason we have freedom! Best episode yet!

Thank you Ward! These videos are truly superb.

Excellent video with such valuable data and information - MOH awarded to so many great men. I'm old enough to well-remember the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent battles anf attacks. Grew up during WWII. Missed the Korean War by a few months, got married, then drafted in '56.

Legends! All of them, men of extraordinary courage! Thanks for sharing

Thank you for this video, I was honored to be one of Cdr. Nichols plane captains in VF-24, later on. Coming out on deck to launch all other pilots always walked behind him.

Thanks, Ward. I never knew about four of these men, and I was so glad I made time to view your channel tonight.

I just now found your channel yesterday. You can tell you really enjoy talking about F-14's, the Navy, etc so I can appreciate your passion for aviation

Fantastic video Ward. I still think Wade McClusky should have gotten an MoH for conspicuous gallantry, intelligence and cunning. His actions were so pivotal in the Battle of Midway, which in turn was so pivotal in turning the tide of the war in the Pacific. I realize they don't give out MoHs that way, but it does seem important enough to warrant it. Navy Cross is still pretty good though.

I've heard these before, now I've heard them again, you can never hear too much about these brave, selfless aviators. Thank you

Ward, I think I speak for many when we say how much I look forward to your videos. To hear the stories of such heroism and bravery is inspiring to say the least. Thank you for your service and continued service by sharing the wonderful information and stories that you have. They’re definitely pure gold. I think you ought to do some guitar stuff for us. Maybe the top gun theme 😉. Much love from NC and God Bless America and those who serve us.

Thanks for sharing the stories of these brave warriors. Great editing and presentation. Well done!

Well Done Ward. Thank You for this episode.

Thank you to ALL who have given their lives, and to those who have and still serve. God Bless America!💪🏼🇺🇸

Excellent video as always Ward!

Thanks for the briefing…well done and most appreciated.

Awesome video. Thanks Ward!

Great post ! Thoroughly enjoyed this one ! I was lucky enough to be in Naval Air as an AT in VQ-1 in EA-3B’s in 69 & 70… How well I can recall “fansongs , firecans, whiffs, and dozens more NVA emitters in the north and Laos. What an adventure I had! I’ll be 73 soon and the fact that I’m still here is a tribute to outstanding Naval Aviators, NFO, and excellent and well lead maintainers ! Cheers shipmate !

Thank you for sharing these stories Ward

Wow, those are humbling and inspiring stories of heroism. Thanks for sharing, Ward.

Thank-you, Ward for this video. God Bless these Heroes.

Greetings Commander Ward Carrol U.S. Navy-Retired. I spent 30+ years in the Department of the Navy, the U,S. Marines. My time in the Corps had started out with me being in the Infantry, and then Naval Aviation-Marine Helicopters. Always a pleasure to view your channel, and to view your televised remembrances of our country's Naval Aviation Heros, as well as our cousin service hero's of their Aviation enterprises. "Bravo Zulu", well done Sir, well done indeed..

An excellent tribute. Thanks, Mooch. Job well done.

Thank you for these historic lessons. Such heroes must not be forgotten.

Brilliantly, appropriately done, with the appropriate level of honor and sensitivity under the circumstances! If I were a family member of any of these men, and would be extremely happy with and honored by your presentation.

I read about these heroes when I was an adolescent. Their courage still inspires.

Who can watch this without tearing up?? Not me. Outstanding Ward.

It is great knowing the Men and Stories behind the naming of so many icons and landmarks! Thank You - Hero Ward!

You tell a captivating story, longer videos please, I could listen to em all day! 🇬🇧

This was a very moving video Commander, , thank you for making this....Best Wishes, Paul

This one gets a LIKE. Not just for Commander Carroll's excellent work, but for six good men who gave everything they had for our country. Thank you all.

What a great presentation. Thank you, Ward.

Thank you for your efforts to educate us, the public. Gerald.

Thanks for the excellent description of these amazing Navy carrier pilot heroic deeds. These pilots were truly inspirational heroes one and all.