Arthur V. Ely (1912-1942) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II. Naval career Arthur Vincent Ely, born 8 March 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1935. After aviation training he joined Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) in 1938. Ely piloted a Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber of VT-6, operating off the aircraft carrier , at the Battle of Midway. He was shot down and killed on 4 June 1942 during the battle. For his vigorous assault on Japanese forces at Midway, Ely was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. Commemoration The U.S. Navy destroyer escort , launched in 1944 but never completed, was named for Lieutenant Ely.
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