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A
photo of Jack Hill Camp taken during training at Naval Air Station,
Jacksonville, Florida
Photo Courtesy Museum of the Gulf Coast |
Jack
Camp had only recently graduated with a law degree from the University
of Texas when WWII was declared. Being in the Naval Reserve, Ensign
Camp reported to active duty. He was assigned to PBY Squadron 44 stationed
on Midway Island.
While piloting his Catalina seaplane on a scouting patrol, the American
plane spotted the Japanese aircraft carrier group that was steaming
toward the American held island. The slow-moving Catalina was shot
down by enemy fire, but not before relaying critical data to American
forces.
Camp was wounded in the attack that brought down his plane, and while
he was helped into a life raft by surviving crewmates, the raft was
then strafed by the enemy - killing him.
He was buried at sea June, 7th 1944.
A display in the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Jack Camp's hometown
of Port
Arthur was sponsored by his High School Graduating Class of 1934.
May 2003
© John Troesser
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War II Chronicles
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