John C. Waldron

Recipient of the Purple Heart medal (1900–1942)

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Lived 1900–1942, aged 42United States

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Wikipedia
6 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1900–1942
Aged 42
Awards
2
recognised works

Summary

Updated 2026-06-22

John Charles Waldron was a United States Navy (USN) aviator who led a squadron of torpedo bombers, Torpedo Squadron 8 aboard USS Hornet, in World War II. While he was among the 29 men of the 30-man squadron who perished in the Battle of Midway, his decision to attack the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) carriers delayed the launching of a planned strike against the American carriers, enabling other USN planes to sink four of the IJN's seven fleet carriers then in service.