{{Short description|United States Navy admiral (1905–1981)}} {{Infobox military person |name= John Thach |image= ADM Thach, John.jpg |image_size= |alt= |caption= Official Navy portrait of Admiral John S. Thach |nickname= "Jimmy" |birth_date= {{Birth date|1905|4|19}} |birth_place= [[Pine Bluff, Arkansas]], U.S. |death_date= {{Death date and age|1981|4|15|1905|4|19}} |death_place= [[Coronado, California]], U.S. |burial_place= [[Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery]] |allegiance=[[United States of America]] |branch= {{flag|United States Navy|1864}} |service_years= 1927–1967 |rank= [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] |service_number= |unit= |commands= [[United States Naval Forces Europe]]<br/>{{USS|Valley Forge|CVS-45|3}}<br/>{{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CVA-42|3}}<br/>{{USS|Sicily|CVE-118|3}}<br/>[[VF-3]] |battles= [[World War II]]<br/>[[Korean War]] |awards= [[Navy Cross]] (2)<br/>{{nowrap|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] (2)}}<br/>[[Silver Star]]<br/>[[Legion of Merit]] (2)<br/>[[Bronze Star Medal]] |relations= |other_work= }} '''John Smith Thach''' (April 19, 1905 – April 15, 1981) was a [[World War II]] [[United States Naval Aviator|Naval Aviator]], [[aerial warfare|air combat]] [[Military tactics|tactician]], and [[United States Navy]] [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]]. Thach developed the [[Thach Weave]], a combat flight formation which could counter enemy fighters of superior performance, and later the [[big blue blanket]], an aerial defense against [[kamikaze attack]]s.
==Early career== John S. Thach was born in [[Pine Bluff, Arkansas]], on April 19, 1905. He graduated from the [[United States Naval Academy]] in 1927 and spent two years serving in [[battleship]]s, before becoming a Naval Aviator in early 1930.<ref name=USN>{{cite web |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ffg43/Pages/Namesake.aspx#.WmKjv6inFPY |title=USS Thach: Named for Admiral John Smith Thach |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=2018-01-20 |archive-date=2018-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120124306/http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ffg43/Pages/Namesake.aspx#.WmKjv6inFPY |url-status=dead }}</ref> His USNA classmates included [[William H. Brockman Jr.|William Brockman]], [[Creed Burlingame]], and [[Eugene E. Lindsey|Eugene Lindsey]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/luckybag1929unse |title=Lucky Bag |date=1929 |publisher=First Class, United States Naval Academy |others=Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy}}</ref> Thach spent the next decade serving as a [[test pilot]] and instructor and establishing a reputation as an expert in aerial gunnery.<ref name=USN/>
==World War II== [[File:John Thach.jpg|thumb|left|upright|LCDR John S. Thach wearing M-450 helmet, AN6530 goggles and inflatable life vest, 1942]] [[File:F4F-4 VF-3.gif|thumb|left|upright|LCDR Thach with 7 kill markings (one out of frame) on his F4F (still from [[The Battle of Midway (film)|''The Battle of Midway'']] by [[John Ford]])]]
In early 1940, Thach was placed in command of [[VF-6|Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3)]]. There he met a young [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] just out of flight school, [[Edward O'Hare]], later a [[Medal of Honor]] recipient. Thach made O'Hare his [[wingman]] and taught him everything he knew. At the United States Navy fleet gunnery competition at the end of 1940, eight of the 16 VF-3 pilots qualified for the gunnery "E" award ("excellence").
Later Thach developed a fighter combat tactic known as the [[Thach Weave]].<ref name=USN/> This tactic enabled American fighter aircraft to hold their own against the more maneuverable [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero]], the primary [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] fighter aircraft.
[[Lieutenant commander (United States)|Lieutenant Commander]] Thach and VF-3 flew from {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3|6}} in the early part of [[World War II]], and was assigned to {{USS|Yorktown|CV-5|6}} during the [[Battle of Midway]] in June 1942.<ref>[https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=284768 "Navy.togetherweserved: Thach, John, ADM"]</ref> On the morning of June 4, Thach led a six-plane [[sortie]] from VF-3, escorting twelve [[Douglas TBD Devastator]]s of VT-3 led by Lieutenant Commander [[Lance Edward Massey|Lance Massey]] from ''Yorktown'', when they discovered the main Japanese carrier fleet. They were immediately attacked by 15 to 20 Japanese fighters. Thach decided to use his namesake maneuver, marking its first combat usage. Although outnumbered and outmaneuvered, Thach managed to shoot down three Zeros and a wingman accounted for another, at the cost of one [[Grumman F4F Wildcat]].<ref>Parshall & Tully, ''[[Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway|Shattered Sword]]'', p. 224.</ref><ref>{{citation |title=80-G-66154 Grumman F4F-4 "Wildcat" Fighter |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/wars-and-events/world-war-ii/midway/80-G-66154.html}}</ref>
[[File:Thach teaches new pilots.jpg|thumb|upright|Thach (right) teaches new pilots.]] After Midway, Thach was assigned to instruct other pilots in combat tactics. The United States Navy pulled its best combat pilots out of action to train newer pilots, while the Japanese kept their best pilots in combat. As the war progressed, the Japanese Navy lost their experienced pilots due to [[Attrition warfare|attrition]] and had no well-trained replacements, while the United States was able to improve the general fighting ability of their own personnel. When the Japanese resorted to the feared [[Kamikaze]] [[suicide attack]]s, Thach developed the "[[big blue blanket]]" system to provide an adequate defense.
Later in the war, [[Commander (United States)|Commander]] Thach became operations officer to Vice Admiral [[John S. McCain Sr.]], commander of the [[Fast Carrier Task Force]].<ref name=USN/> Thach was also present at the [[Surrender of Japan#Occupation and the surrender ceremony|formal Japanese surrender]] aboard the battleship {{USS|Missouri|BB-63|6}} on September 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay.
Thach was a [[flying ace]], having been credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft during World War II.<ref name="centuryinter"/>
==Post–World War II== [[File:USN Captain John S. Thach USS Sicily (CVE-118).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Captain John S. Thach (right) as [[commanding officer]] of the [[escort aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Sicily|CVE-118}} during the [[Korean War]], discussing a mission with two [[United States Marine Corps]] pilots, Major [[Robert P. Keller]] (center) and First lieutenant Roland B. Heilman (left), from his ship while aboard ''Sicily'' off the [[Korean Peninsula]]]]
Thach commanded {{USS|Sicily|CVE-118|6}} during the [[Korean War]] and {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CVA-42|6}} in 1953–54.<ref name=USN/> He was promoted to rear admiral in 1955.
In 1958 and 1959, Thach was placed in command of an antisubmarine development unit, "Task Group Alpha", with the aircraft carrier {{USS|Valley Forge|CVS-45|3}} serving as his [[flagship]].<ref name=USN/> He subsequently appeared on the cover of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine on September 1, 1958, for his contributions to [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW),<ref>{{Cite magazine|url= https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19580901,00.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930213100/http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19580901,00.html|url-status= live|archive-date= September 30, 2007|title=TIME Magazine Cover: Rear Adm. John Thach|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]|date=1 September 1958|access-date=15 November 2010}}</ref> which was a primary focus at the time in the ongoing [[Cold War]]. An annual award was later established in his name for presentation to the top ASW squadron in the navy.
Thach was promoted to vice admiral in 1960<ref name="centuryinter">{{Cite web|url= http://www.centuryinter.net/midway/appendix/bios/vf3_john_s_thach.html|title= Carrier Pilot and Crew Bios – Fighting Three – John S. Thach|work= centuryinter.net|access-date= 15 November 2010|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130221080447/http://www.centuryinter.net/midway/appendix/bios/vf3_john_s_thach.html|archive-date= 21 February 2013}}</ref> and served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air in the Pentagon,<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url= http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=1780|title=John Smith Thach (1905–1981) – Encyclopedia of Arkansas|encyclopedia=encyclopediaofarkansas.net|access-date=15 November 2010}}</ref> where he presided over development of the [[A-7 Corsair II]], among other naval aviation programs. As Commander in Chief, [[United States Naval Forces Europe]], starting in 1965, he pinned on his fourth star as a full admiral, retiring from the Navy in May 1967 from that position.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-t/j-thach.htm |title=Admiral John Smith Thach, USN, (1905–1981) |work=history.navy.mil |access-date=15 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203172729/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-t/j-thach.htm |archive-date= 3 February 2011 }}</ref>
The Arkansas Aviation Historical Society inducted Thach into the [[Arkansas Aviation Historical Society|Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame]] in 1981.
Thach died on April 15, 1981, in [[Coronado, California]], four days before his 76th birthday, and was buried at [[Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery]] in [[San Diego]].<ref name="AR Biographies">William M. Smith, Jr., "Thach, John S." in Nancy A. Williams & Jeannie M. Whayne, ''Arkansas Biography'', p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ThTBc-E85agC&dq=obituary+%22john+thach%22&pg=PA285 285]</ref>
The [[frigate]] {{USS|Thach|FFG-43|3}} was named in his honor.<ref name=USN/>
==Personal life== Thach and his wife Madalynn had four children.<ref name="AR Biographies"/>
==Decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" | colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Naval Aviator Badge.jpg|width=256|alt=}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|other_device=v|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|other_device=v|ribbon=Bronze Star BAR.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|other_device=v|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Ribbon, U.S. Navy Presidential Unit Citation.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|other_device=a|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=9|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Phliber rib.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Presidential Unit Citation (Korea).svg|width=106}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- !Badge |colspan="15"|[[Naval Aviator insignia]] |- !1st Row |colspan="3"|[[Navy Cross]]<br> w/one gold [[award star]]<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=21022|title=Military Times Hall of Valor: Awards for John Smith Thach|work=militarytimes.com|access-date=15 November 2010}}</ref> |colspan="3"|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] <br>w/gold star |colspan="3"|[[Silver Star]] |- !2nd Row |colspan="3"|[[Legion of Merit]] <br>w/gold star and [["V" device]] |colspan="3"|[[Bronze Star Medal]] <br>w/"V" device |colspan="3"|[[Commendation Medal|Navy Commendation Medal]] <br>w/"V" device |- !3rd Row |colspan="3"|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Navy Presidential Unit Citation]] <br>w/two stars |colspan="3"|[[Navy Unit Commendation]] |colspan="3"|[[American Defense Service Medal]] <br>w/[["A" Device|Atlantic device]] |- !4th Row |colspan="3"|[[American Campaign Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal]] <br>w/ one silver and four bronze service stars |colspan="3"|[[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]] |- !5th Row |colspan="3"|[[Navy Occupation Service Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[National Defense Service Medal]] <br>w/ service star |colspan="3"|[[Korean Service Medal]] <br>w/ three service stars |- !6th Row |colspan="3"|[[Philippine Liberation Medal]] <br>w/ three service stars |colspan="3"|[[United Nations Korea Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation]] with service star |- |}
==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> File:F2A Thach accident USS Saratoga (CV-3) 1940.jpg|LT John S. Thach tipped this [[Brewster Buffalo|F2A-1]] onto its nose on {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3|3}} in March 1940. File:Thach F4F3 cockpit.jpg|LCDR John S. Thach, CO of VF-3 </gallery>
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==Bibliography== *{{cite book | last = Ewing | first = Steve | year = 2004 | title = Thach Weave: The Life of Jimmie Thach | publisher = Naval Institute Press | location = Annapolis, Maryland | isbn = 1-59114-248-2 }} *{{cite book |last = Parshall |first = Jonathan |author2 = Tully, Anthony |year = 2005 |title = Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway |publisher = Potomac Books |location = Dulles, VA |isbn = 1-57488-923-0 |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/shatteredswordun0000pars }} * {{NHC|article=Admiral John Smith Thach, USN, (1905-1981)|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-t/j-thach.htm|accessdate = 22 June 2009 }}
==External links== {{Commons category|John S. Thach}} * [https://content.time.com/time/magazine/archive/covers/0,16641,1101580901,00.html Time Magazine Cover Photo (Time Magazine Archives Site)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080906183515/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,863701,00.html "The Goblin Killers"] – [[Time (magazine)|TIME]] – Monday, September 1, 1958 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120204195154/http://www.centuryinter.net/midway/appendix/appendixfourteen_usvftac.html Fighter Tactics]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thach, John}} [[Category:1905 births]] [[Category:1981 deaths]] [[Category:United States Navy personnel of the Korean War]] [[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]] [[Category:American test pilots]] [[Category:American World War II flying aces]] [[Category:Battle of Midway]] [[Category:Burials at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery]] [[Category:People from Pine Bluff, Arkansas]] [[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]] [[Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)]] [[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]] [[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]] [[Category:United States Naval Aviators]] [[Category:United States Navy admirals]] [[Category:United States Navy pilots of World War II]]