Curtis W . Howard Curtis W . Howard ( 1917 – 1942 ) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II . Naval career . Curtis William Howard was born to Captain and Mrs . Jasper V . Howard ( Medical Corps ) , USN , on Guam on 31 August 1917 . He was appointed a midshipman from the State of California on 4 June 1934 and attended the United States Naval Academy . While there , he boxed , earning him the nickname " Punchy " , and contemporaries considered him " possessed of a good sense of humor , exceptional perscipacity , and an able brain , " who " promises to become an apt officer " . Graduating with the U . S . Naval Academy Class of 1938 , Howard received his commission as an ensign on 2 June 1938 . Howard reported to the heavy cruiser USS " Pensacola " ( CA - 24 ) on 30 June 1938 , and served aboard her until 11 September 1939 . On 19 September 1939 , he reported to the destroyer USS " Greer " ( DD - 145 ) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard at Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , where " Greer " was undergoing preparations for recommissioning on 4 October 1939 to become a part of the Neutrality Patrol ordered soon after World War II began in Europe . Detached from " Greer " on 5 July 1940 , Ensign Howard reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola at Pensacola , Florida , on 29 July 1940 to commence flight " instruction in heavier - than - air craft . " He continued " duty involving flying under instruction " there , and , ultimately , was designated a naval aviator on 23 January 1941 . Detached from Naval Air Station Pensacola on 7 February 1941 , he then served at Naval Air Station Miami at Miami , Florida , from 25 March 1941 to 7 April 1941 , after which he reported to Torpedo Squadron 3 , assigned to the air group of the aircraft carrier USS " Saratoga " ( CV - 3 ) , on 7 April 1941 . On 8 October 1941 , he was promoted to lieutenant , junior grade , to rank from 8 June 1941 . The United States entered World War II on 7 December 1941 . After an Imperial Japanese Navy submarine torpedo ed " Saratoga " on 11 January 1942 and " Saratoga " s subsequent departure for repairs at Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton , Washington , Torpedo Squadron 3 was based ashore , first at Naval Air Station Pearl Harbor on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor , Territory of Hawaii , standing alert duty for defense of the island of Oahu , then at Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay , Hawaii , whence the squadron trained and continued to stand alerts . On 30 May 1942 , assigned to the air group of the aircraft carrier USS " Yorktown " ( CV - 5 ) , replacing Torpedo Squadron 5 aboard that carrier , Torpedo Squadron 3 flew on board as " Yorktown " departed Pearl Harbor to participate in what would become known as the Battle of Midway . During that battle , on 4 June 1942 , " Yorktown " launched Torpedo Squadron 3 and Bombing Squadron 3 , covered by fighters from Fighting Squadron 3 , to attack the Japanese aircraft carrier force in concert with a strike from aircraft carriers USS " Enterprise " ( CV - 6 ) and USS " Hornet " ( CV - 8 ) . Circumstances , however , dictated that only the " Yorktown " Air Group attacked as a unit , with Torpedo Squadron 3 following Torpedo Squadron 8 and Torpedo Squadron 6 as the last of the three torpedo squadrons to execute their brave low - level attacks . Japanese Mitsubishi A6M 2 Type 00 carrier fighters , however , overwhelmed the six - plane Fighting Squadron 3 covering element , and , in concert with heavy antiaircraft fire from the Japanese aircraft carriers and their screening ships , shot down ten of the twelve Torpedo Squadron 3 Douglas TBD - 1 Devastator torpedo bomber s . Howard , piloting one of the Devastators , and his radio gunner , Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Charles L . Moore , perished in the attack . Awards . Howard was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his " self - sacrificing gallantry and fortitude . . . in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . . . " Namesake . The U . S . Navy destroyer escort USS " Curtis W . Howard " ( DE - 752 ) , launched in 1944 but never completed , was named for Lieutenant , junior grade , Howard .