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A Family's Scrapbook Is a Piece of History
Story Number: NNS130615-06
6/15/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin Wray, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- Growing up as a child, you may have noticed that many families kept scrapbooks or photo albums of themselves over the years to help remember past events or to pass on the history of their family to their sons or daughters.

These albums were usually kept on a dusty top shelf in the master bedroom closet or some similar place.

For the family of Ensign George Gay Jr., a hero of the Battle of Midway, their scrapbook of his heroism can now be found years later in the commanding officer's in-port cabin aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Gay, first assigned to Torpedo Squadron (VT) 8 was the lone survivor in his squadron on a failed bombing run on the Japanese carriers at Midway June 4, 1942.

He was one of 30 pilots who flew a Douglas TBD Devastator from the flight deck of the USS Hornet (CV-8) in one of the first attack waves. He later watched three of the four Japanese carriers sink from secondary bombings, as a result of his squadron's efforts, while floating in the ocean for 30 hours.

The scrapbook, permanently on loan to Nimitz by his wife, daughter and grandson, contains newspaper clippings from the war, some describing the events of that defining day.

More notable are the personal letters sent back and forth between Gay, or his family, and Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz, who became friends after meeting in the hospital during Gay's recovery.

The pages comprising the clippings are tinted yellow from years of wear, the edges are crisp and torn where they were once held in place in a binder.

Written by typewriter, the ink is faded and in some places blotted.

Each letter has only three to four short paragraphs. The sentences contained in these brief messages however, express a deep appreciation and genuine care for each other's well being.

The letters evolve over time to become more personal. Below the signatures of Nimitz and Gay's parents, signed "Sincerely Yours," are added messages written in pencil, which express less formal responses about Gay's personality coming out in photos taken during his recovery.

These photos and individually hand-written notes turn this collection of mementos into a more intimate piece of history.

The letters continue on as responses to events throughout the war. They include both Gay and Nimitz congratulating each other on awards they each received, and a follow-up on Nimitz' well being after he was involved in a crash landing.

The most notable part of these letters is an enclosed poem Nimitz found: "Uncle Sam's last name is Houston," which highlights the fighting spirit of both Texan natives in a newspaper.

This scrapbook still ties the Gay family with Nimitz to this day as it sits on the ship for visitors to see, and will stay to be passed down to the ship's future commanding officers.


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