- Bertram S. Varian, Jr.
Infobox Military Person
name = Bertram Stetson Varian, Jr.
born = birth date|1920|11|26
died = death date and age|1942|6|5|1920|11|26
placeofbirth = Weiser,Idaho
placeofdeath = vicinity ofMidway Atoll
caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1940–1942
rank = Ensign
branch =United States Naval Reserve
unit =Bombing Squadron 6 (VB-6)
battles =World War II *Battle of Midway
awards =Navy Cross Bertram Stetson Varian, Jr. (
26 November 1920 –5 June 1942 ) was anaval aviator in theUnited States Navy duringWorld War II .Varian was born on
26 November 1920 at Weiser,Idaho . He enlisted in the Navy as aseaman 2d class on3 December 1940 atBoise, Idaho , and received an appointment as aviation cadet on15 February of the following year. Following flight training at Pensacola, Fla., he was designated anaval aviator on8 September 1941 and was commissioned an ensign in theUnited States Naval Reserve on4 October .Varian received further instruction with the Advanced Carrier Training Group and reported to "Enterprise" (CV-6) on
3 April 1942 , joiningBombing Squadron 6 (VB-6). Flying from "Enterprise" during the pivotalBattle of Midway on5 June 1942 , he flew with the third division of "Bombing Six" in their attack against the Japaneseaircraft carrier "Akagi". VB-6 pressed home their attack — often diving to very low altitudes to ensure their bomb's delivery — and severely crippledVice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo 'sflagship .The victory had not been attained without cost, however, as only a third of the 15 Douglas
SBD Dauntless es that "Enterprise" launched earlier that day returned to their carrier. Among those lost were Ensign Varian and his gunner, ARM3c C. R. Young, who were forced to take to their rubber boat when their plane ditched 50 miles (90 km) northeast of the Japanese task force. They were never seen again.For his "extraordinary heroism" and "distinguished service" in pressing home his attack against heavy odds and knowing that very little fuel remained with which to return to friendly forces, Ensign Varian received a posthumous
Navy Cross .Namesake
In 1943, the
destroyer escort USS "Varian" (DE-798) was named in honor of Ens. Varian, sponsored by his sister, Mrs. Arnold F. Brunkow.References
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