Information regarding Eugene Powell Townsend

ScremanB3  -  Here are some references  (and links) you might find interesting:

Dept of Defense Navy Cross Recipients

Home of Heros (Citation- Non Govt Source)

 TOWNSEND, EUGENE P.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Eugene P. Townsend, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-SEVEN (VF-27), embarked from the U.S.S. PRINCETON (CVL-23), in action on 24 October 1944, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Born: February 5, 1920 at Gamble, Alabama
Home Town: Saragossa, Alabama

USS Princeton - Loss In Action 24 October 1944 (Day of Navy Ct=ross Award  - (Official report with photos.)

Fighter Squadron VF-27 History  (Describes VF-27 action on 24 October and "Ace" status of your father.)

According to numerous newspaper reports your father died diving his Northrop Scorpion into an unpopulated area space near the busy Ontario Airport.  A hero to the end.

An impressive (and lucky) young aviator.  Hats Off to Him

There is a saying among aviators.  "There are bold pilots and there are old pilots.  But there are no old-bold pilots. RIP

Thank you so much for this information!

ScremanB3 

Thank you for posting your question on History Hub!

For information regarding individual military personnel we recommend requesting the military service member's military personnel file. Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs) are in the custody of NARA's National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. Below is a GSA Standard Form 180 which you should complete and mail to NARA's National Personnel Records Center, (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO  63138-1002.  Or you may apply online on our Request Military Service Records webpage.

To submit a request via Postal Mail please use the Standard Form 180 (SF-180): Request Pertaining to Military Records to submit your request.  

For the most complete copy of a personnel file, in Section II, on the line for "Other" (Specify), write "Complete copy of every page of personnel file - not an extract."

For information regarding access to medical records please visit our Access to Clinical and Medical Treatment Records by the General Public webpage.  

For more information concerning our military holdings please visit our Military and Veterans Research and Resources at the National Archives webpage. 

We hope this assists you with your research! 

Sincerely,

Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RR)

RR2RR 24-12631-JAH 

Mr. Townsend,

My name is Mike O'Connor and I am writing a history of VF-27, your Dad's WWII squadron. I do have some information I would be glad to share with you.

Mike O'C.

Yes please. We would love whatever information you are able to share regarding my father, Eugene Townsend.

Thank you,

Gregg

Thanks for approving my Eugene Townsend request. 

This looks to be a win-win situation. The gentleman is looking for information on his Dad and I am writing a book that includes his Dad's exploits in WW II.

However, is there some way you can share our contact info (email, at least) with each other so we can communicate directly rather than going back and forth through your site? 

Thank you very much.

Mike O'Connor