MARC A. MITSCHER
(1912 – 1993) Admiral

RAID CONTRIBUTION: Commanding Officer of USS Hornet (CV-8)

In July 1941, Captain Mitscher was put in charge of fitting out the Navy’s newest carrier, USS Hornet (CV-8) in Norfolk, VA. He was her first commanding officer when the ship was commissioned on October 20. On February 2, 1942, immediately after finishing sea trials, two Army pilots reported aboard while their B-25 bombers were loaded onto Hornet's flight deck by a dockside crane. The ship steamed out of the Chesapeake Bay and successfully launched both aircraft, the proof-of-concept test for the “Tokyo Raid.” With Mitscher in command, the ship was repositioned to the Pacific Ocean. After loading sixteen Army bombers on the ship at the Alameda Naval Air Station, Mitscher was placed in overall command of the eight ships of Task Force 18 as it steamed due west from San Francisco bay. Mitscher worked closely with Jimmy Doolittle during the cruise to ensure a successful outcome of the raid. On April 18, 1942, from a position 650 nautical miles east of the Japanese coast, Hornet launched the aircraft to bomb military and industrial targets on the Japanese homeland.

Early Life and Career

Marc Mitscher was born in Hillsboro, Wisconsin on January 26, 1887 but grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1910.

In August 1913, he served aboard the USS California (ACR-6) on the West Coast during the Mexican Campaign. After subsequent duty on two destroyers, he reported for aviation training at the Pensacola Naval Aeronautic Station , on board the USS North Carolina (ACR-12) one of the first Navy ships to carry an airplane. Mitscher was designated Naval Aviator #33 in June 1916.

In April 1917, he reported to USS Huntington (ACR-5) for duty in connection with aircraft catapult experiments. This was followed by various assignments until February 1919, when he was transferred to the Aviation Section in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Later in 1919, LCDR Mitscher piloted one of the three NC seaplanes that attempted the first airborne transatlantic crossing. An NC-4 not piloted by Mitscher went on to make the successful, historic crossing. Mitscher was awarded the Navy Cross for his valiant attempt. Afterward, Mitscher joined the USS Aroostook (CM-3) with additional duty later commanding the Detachment of Air Forces at the Fleet Air Base in San Diego. He was then assigned to the Plans Division, Bureau of Aeronautics in 1922.

Mitscher made the first launch and landing on the USS Saratoga (CV-3) on January 11, 1928 in a Vought UO-l. In June 1929, he was assigned to the USS Langley (CV-1). He later held a series of staff and command assignments.

Subsequent Career and Experiences

Although having just been promoted to Rear Admiral, Mitscher was also CO of record for Hornet during the decisive Battle of Midway. He was relieved of command of the Hornet in July 1942, three months before she was sunk at the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands.

Mitscher then commanded Patrol Wing TWO until December 1942, when he became Commander Fleet Wing, Noumea. In April 1943, RADM Mitscher went to Guadalcanal as Commander Air, Solomon Islands, in charge of the Navy, Army, Marine and Royal New Zealand Air Force flying units. Guadalcanal had been secured but remained under constant enemy fire from the Japanese occupying the northern Solomon Islands.

Mitscher assumed command of Task Force 58 in 1944 just prior to the Marshall Islands campaign. Under his leadership, TF-58 contributed directly to the capture and occupation of the Marshall Islands in February of 1944. In the months that followed, Mitscher led his task forces in attacks against heavily fortified Japanese bases. In the closing months of the war, Admiral Mitscher adopted many innovative tactics as he experimented with multi-carrier fleet formations and maneuvers, leading a series of attacks against the Japanese home forces.

He returned to the U.S. as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations in July, 1945. He was appointed the rank of Admiral and assumed command of the EIGHTH Fleet on March 1, 1946 becoming Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in September of that year.

Admiral Mitscher died on February 3, 1947 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.