James D. Ramage

LCDR J.D. "Jig Dog" Ramage in an SBD Dauntless aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) during WWII

James D. "Jig Dog" Ramage (born 19 July 1916)^[1] is a significant figure in the history U.S. naval aviation. He was a combat leader in World War II and was a major factor in putting nuclear-capable aircraft aboard aircraft carriers. Before retirement he attained the rank of rear admiral.

Biography

Ramage grew up near Waterloo, Iowa. He attended what is now the University of Northern Iowa and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1939. He then served aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) prior to flight training and designation as a Naval Aviator.^[2]

WWII

An SBD Dauntless from VB-10 in 1944)

During World War II, Ramage commanded bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10), a scout-bomber squadron flying from USSEnterprise. VB-10 was one of the last two carrier-based SBD Dauntless squadrons, as the other five "big-deck" carriers began using the SB2C-1 Helldiver, which fully replaced the Dauntless in the Fast Carrier Force in July 1944. Ramage participated in 11 combat actions in the Pacific during the war, notably the Battle of the Philippine Sea. On the evening of June 20, 1944, Ramage led 12 Dauntlesses with 17 other Enterprise aircraft on the maximum-range attack against the Japanese fleet. He was personally credited with crippling a Japanese carrier. Only one plane was lost (due to lack of fuel; the crew was rescued).

For valor in combat, Ramage was awarded the Navy's highest honor, the Navy Cross, as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.^[3] His last wartime position was CO of Bombing Squadron VB-98, a California-based training unit.

Post WWII

In the 1950s, Ramage commanded Carrier Air Group 19, Fleet Composite Squadron Three, Heavy Attack Wing One, the seaplane tender USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13), and the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62). As a flag officer he was Commander Fleet Air NAS Whidbey Island, Commander Carrier Division Seven during the Vietnam War, Commander Naval Air Reserve, and Commander Tenth Naval District/Caribbean Sea Frontier/Commander Fleet Air Caribbean (12 June 1973 - 23 August 1975). He retired from active duty in 1975. In 2008, Ramage appeared in The History Channel series Battle 360 and recounted many of his experiences as a member of VB-10.

Jig Dog Ramage Award

In 2001, the Tailhook Association established the annual "Jig Dog" Ramage Award to recognize the air wing-aircraft carrier team with the best performance as an integrated unit and excellence in Navy carrier operations.

References

1. ^ http://www.historyorb.com/birthdays/july/19
2. ^ http://www.usni.org/navalinstitutepress/ramage.asp
3. ^ The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War Two By Barrett Tillman

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Name	Ramage, James D.
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Date of birth	19 July 1916
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