Edward Micka
Encyclopedia
Lt. Edward Micka, born at Cayuga, North Dakota
, 10 October 1915, enlisted in the United States Navy
19 June 1934. Appointed midshipman
from the Navy at large the following year, he was commissioned ensign 1 June 1939.
and USS Clemson (DD-186)
prior to receiving his wings as a Navy pilot and was attached to Fighting Squadron 9, onboard USS Ranger (CV-4)
, in November 1942. On the 8th, he led three flights in support of the initial phase of Operation Torch
, the assault and occupation of Morocco
. In the first two flights he led his sections against airdromes at Rabat Sale and Port Lyautey, destroying at least 17 hostile planes on the ground. During the third his section. provided direct support to ground forces by destroying several machine gun
nests.
airdrome, conducting strafing runs at low altitudes. Lieutenant Micka lost his life on the fifth run when his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire. He was awarded the Navy Cross
posthumously “for extraordinary hero ism and distinguished service in action as a pilot” during Operation Torch
.
was named in his honor. The ship was launched 22 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Edward Micka, widow of Lieutenant Micka, and commissioned 23 September 1943.
Cayuga, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 61 people, 26 households, and 13 families residing in the city. The population density was 61.8 people per square mile . There were 32 housing units at an average density of 32.4 per square mile...
, 10 October 1915, enlisted in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
19 June 1934. Appointed midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
from the Navy at large the following year, he was commissioned ensign 1 June 1939.
Navy career
He served on USS Minneapolis (CA-36)USS Minneapolis (CA-36)
USS Minneapolis was a New Orleans class heavy cruiser built for the United States Navy before the outbreak of World War II, the second ship named for Minneapolis, Minnesota....
and USS Clemson (DD-186)
USS Clemson (DD-186)
USS Clemson was the lead ship of her class of destroyers which served in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Midshipman Henry A...
prior to receiving his wings as a Navy pilot and was attached to Fighting Squadron 9, onboard USS Ranger (CV-4)
USS Ranger (CV-4)
USS Ranger was the first ship of the United States Navy to be designed and built from the keel up as an aircraft carrier. Ranger was a relatively small ship, closer in size and displacement to the first U.S. carrier——than later ships. An island superstructure was not included in the original...
, in November 1942. On the 8th, he led three flights in support of the initial phase of Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
, the assault and occupation of Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. In the first two flights he led his sections against airdromes at Rabat Sale and Port Lyautey, destroying at least 17 hostile planes on the ground. During the third his section. provided direct support to ground forces by destroying several machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
nests.
Awarded Navy Cross
Two days later he participated in the attack on the MediounaMediouna
Mediouna is a town and commune in Relizane Province, Algeria....
airdrome, conducting strafing runs at low altitudes. Lieutenant Micka lost his life on the fifth run when his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire. He was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
posthumously “for extraordinary hero ism and distinguished service in action as a pilot” during Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
.
Namesake
USS Micka (DE-176)USS Micka (DE-176)
USS Micka was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys....
was named in his honor. The ship was launched 22 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Edward Micka, widow of Lieutenant Micka, and commissioned 23 September 1943.