Max Leslie
Encyclopedia
Maxwell Franklin Leslie (1902 – 1985) was a naval aviator
in the United States Navy
during World War II. He is credited with playing a major part in the Battle of Midway
.
Leslie attended the University of Washington
before entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1922. He was commissioned Ensign in 1926, received flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1929 and was designated Naval Aviator in 1930. When the U.S. entered World War II, he was executive officer of VB-3 aboard . He later commanded Bombing 3, operating off during Midway. He also flew with his squadron off , while escorting on the Doolittle Raid
.
Following the Japanese destroyer
that had been counterattacking , Leslie and Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky
, from Enterprise, managed to arrive above the Japanese task force at the precise moment its combat air patrol
had been drawn down to the deck to repel Yorktown' s torpedo bombers, and at the moment of the First Air Fleet's maximum vulnerability. With Zeros too low to be effective, the Dauntless
es poured down through the miraculously open sky to unload their bombs on the Japanese carriers, their hangar decks cluttered with confused ranks of recovered and warming-up aircraft, snaking fuel hoses, and stacks of munitions from the various rearmament operations.
In just five minutes, Enterprises Scouting Six and Bombing Six destroyed two Japanese fleet carriers. was abandoned at 1700 and sank at 1925. was abandoned just after Kaga went down, and was scuttled
before dawn June 5. Attacking nearly simultaneously with McClusky's SBDs,Yorktown' s Bombing Three, led by Leslie, inflicted heavy damage on , and she also sank that evening. After successfully attacking Sōryū Leslie and his wingman Lt(jg) P.A. Holmberg ditched near due to fuel exhaustion, after their parent carrier Yorktown was under attack by Japanese planes when they returned. Leslie, Holmberg, and their gunners were rescued by one of the cruiser's whaleboats.
A single carrier, , which was ten miles to the north of the other three carriers, escaped damage the morning of June 4, but was sunk on June 5. For heroism at the battle, Leslie was awarded the Navy Cross
.
with combat "V" and the Commendation Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation to Enterprise, American Defense Service Medal
, Fleet Clasp, American Campaign Medal
, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
, World War II Victory Medal
and the National Defense Service Medal
. Leslie died 26 Sept 1985 in San Diego, California.
in the 1976 film Midway
.
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
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...
during World War II. He is credited with playing a major part in the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
.
Leslie attended the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
before entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1922. He was commissioned Ensign in 1926, received flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1929 and was designated Naval Aviator in 1930. When the U.S. entered World War II, he was executive officer of VB-3 aboard . He later commanded Bombing 3, operating off during Midway. He also flew with his squadron off , while escorting on the Doolittle Raid
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
.
Battle of Midway
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
that had been counterattacking , Leslie and Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky
C. Wade McClusky
Rear Admiral Clarence Wade McClusky, Jr., was a United States Navy aviator during World War II. He is credited with playing a major part in the Battle of Midway...
, from Enterprise, managed to arrive above the Japanese task force at the precise moment its combat air patrol
Combat air patrol
Combat air patrol is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft.A combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, over the force protected, over the critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile...
had been drawn down to the deck to repel Yorktown
SBD Dauntless
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval dive bomber made by Douglas during World War II. The SBD was the United States Navy's main dive bomber from mid-1940 until late 1943, when it was largely replaced by the SB2C Helldiver...
es poured down through the miraculously open sky to unload their bombs on the Japanese carriers, their hangar decks cluttered with confused ranks of recovered and warming-up aircraft, snaking fuel hoses, and stacks of munitions from the various rearmament operations.
In just five minutes, Enterprises Scouting Six and Bombing Six destroyed two Japanese fleet carriers. was abandoned at 1700 and sank at 1925. was abandoned just after Kaga went down, and was scuttled
Scuttling
Scuttling is the act of deliberately sinking a ship by allowing water to flow into the hull.This can be achieved in several ways—valves or hatches can be opened to the sea, or holes may be ripped into the hull with brute force or with explosives...
before dawn June 5. Attacking nearly simultaneously with McClusky's SBDs,Yorktown
A single carrier, , which was ten miles to the north of the other three carriers, escaped damage the morning of June 4, but was sunk on June 5. For heroism at the battle, Leslie 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...
.
Later career
Leslie continued to serve overseas during World War II, and after the war spent the rest of his career in various ships and shore stations. He retired in 1956. In addition to the Navy Cross, he was presented the Bronze Star MedalBronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with combat "V" and the Commendation Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation to Enterprise, American Defense Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...
, Fleet Clasp, American Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
, World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
and the National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
. Leslie died 26 Sept 1985 in San Diego, California.
In popular culture
Leslie was depicted by Monte MarkhamMonte Markham
Monte Markham is an American actor. During his career, Markham has appeared in film, in television, and on Broadway.Markham was born in Manatee County, Florida, the son of Millie Content and Jesse Edward Markham, Sr., who was a merchant.Of his television roles, Markham is perhaps most famous for...
in the 1976 film Midway
Midway (film)
Midway is a 1976 war film directed by Jack Smight and produced byWalter Mirisch from a screenplay by Donald S. Sanford. The music score was by John Williams and the cinematography by Harry Stradling, Jr...
.