View source for C. Wade McClusky

{{Short description|United States Navy admiral}}
{{Infobox military person
| image         = Clarence Wade McClusky.jpg
| image_size    = 
| alt           = 
| caption       = McClusky in 1943–1944
| nickname      = "Wade", "Mac"
| birth_name    = Clarence Wade McClusky, Jr.
| birth_date    = June 1, 1902
| birth_place   = [[Buffalo, New York]], U.S.
| death_date    = June 27, 1976 (aged 74)
| death_place   = [[Bethesda, Maryland]], U.S.
| placeofburial = [[United States Naval Academy Cemetery]]
| allegiance    = United States
| branch        = [[United States Navy]]
| serviceyears  = 1922–1956
| rank          = [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear admiral]]
| unit          = 
| commands      = [[Naval Air Station Glenview|NAS Glenview]]<br/>{{USS|Corregidor|CVE-58}}<br/>[[Enterprise Air Group|Enterprise Air Group 6]]<br/>[[VFA-31|VF-6]]
| battles       = [[World War II]]
*[[Battle of Midway]]
[[Korean War]]
| awards        = [[Navy Cross]]<br/>[[Legion of Merit]]<br/>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]<br/>[[Purple Heart]]<br/>[[Air Medal]]
| relations     = 
| laterwork     = 
}}
[[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] '''Clarence Wade McClusky, Jr.''', (June 1, 1902 – June 27, 1976) was a [[United States Navy]] aviator during [[World War II]] and the early [[Cold War]] period. He is credited with having played a major part in the [[Battle of Midway]]. In the words of Admiral [[Chester Nimitz]], McClusky's decision to continue the search for the enemy and his judgment as to where the enemy might be found, "decided the fate of our carrier task force and our forces at Midway".<ref>[http://www.cv6.org/company/accounts/wmcclusky/ C. Wade McClusky: Battle of Midway]</ref>

==Early life==
McClusky was born in [[Buffalo, New York]]. He was the second of five children to Clarence Wade McClusky, Sr., an accountant, and Mary Anastasia Stears "May" McClusky. Both of his parents were born in [[Pennsylvania]], but had spent their adulthoods in Buffalo.{{sfn|Rigby|2019|p=50}} Wade, Sr. was a [[Presbyterian]] of [[Scotch-Irish Americans|Scotch-Irish]] ancestry, while May was an [[Irish Catholic]]. Wade, Sr. refused to raise the children in the Catholic faith, and forbade May from attending Catholic Mass.{{sfn|Rigby|2019|p=51}} Wade, Sr. died in an automobile crash on October 8, 1928, after which May returned to the Catholic Church.{{sfn|Rigby|2019|p=51}} May persuaded one of McClusky's sisters to convert to Catholicism, but McClusky himself became an [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopalian]].{{sfn|Rigby|2019|p=51}} 

McClusky disliked his first name Clarence, and always signed his name as "C. Wade McClusky".{{sfn|Rigby|2019|p=52}} He attended [[South Park High School (Buffalo, New York)|South Park High School]] in Buffalo, where he was a clever and hard-working student. McClusky graduated in 1918 at the age of 16. As his family's financial situation was strained, he sought employment instead of applying to colleges. His first job involved cleaning the interiors of railroad tanker cars, and associated exposure to various chemicals. McClusky's son Philip recalled in 2015: "He told me once that it was a miserable job and as a result he was determined to go to college or the academy!"{{sfn|Rigby|2019|p=53}}

==Naval aviator and instructor==
McClusky graduated from the [[United States Naval Academy]] in 1926, the same class as [[Max Leslie]], [[Carlton B. Hutchins|Carlton Hutchins]], [[Howard W. Gilmore]], and [[Lofton R. Henderson]];<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/luckybag1926unse |title=Lucky Bag |date=1926 |publisher=First Class, United States Naval Academy |others=Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy}}</ref> and became a Naval Aviator three years later. Over the next decade, he served in several air units, as well as on command staff, as an instructor at the Naval Academy and at shore facilities. In 1940, he was assigned to Fighting Squadron Six ([[VFA-31|VF-6]]), based on {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6|6}}, and assumed command of that squadron in April 1941.

==World War II==
Lieutenant Commander McClusky became ''Enterprise'''s [[Carrier air wing|air group]] commander in April 1942. During the [[Battle of Midway]], while leading his air group's scout bombers on June 4, 1942, he made the critical tactical decision that led to the sinking of two of Japan's [[aircraft carrier|fleet carrier]]s, ''{{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Kaga||2}}'' and ''{{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Akagi||2}}''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Hanson|first=Victor Davis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XGr16-CxpH8C|title=Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power|date=2007-12-18|publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-307-42518-8|language=en}}</ref> 

When McClusky could not find the Japanese carriers where he expected them, and with his air group's fuel running dangerously low, he began a box search and on the second leg spotted the {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Arashi||2|up=y}} steaming north at [[flank speed]]. ''Arashi'' had stayed behind to attack the submarine ''{{USS|Nautilus|SS-168|6}}'', which had been harassing the Japanese fleet. Surmising that ''Arashi'' must be following the main fleet, McClusky ordered a change in course in the same direction as ''Arashi''. This led him directly to the enemy carriers. 

McClusky gave the order to attack, which resulted in confusion, with both squadrons of 31 aircraft diving on the closer carrier, ''Kaga''. Doctrine called for McClusky's forward squadron to attack the more distant carrier, ''Akagi'', and the squadron behind his to attack ''Kaga''. Two simultaneous carrier attacks would have made it harder for Japanese [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Zeros]] to respond. Lieutenant [[Richard Halsey Best|Richard Best]], who commanded the other squadron and was considered to be its best pilot, noticed the error and pulled out with two wingmen to attack ''Akagi'', with Best scoring a direct hit amidships and a wingman a near miss which disabled the rudder and rendered ''Akagi'' immobile. The other 28 dive bombers, some of which nearly collided with each other, scored at least four hits on ''Kaga'', leaving it a burning wreck. As he pulled out of his dive, McClusky's plane was pounced on by two Zeros, which put 52 holes in his plane and a bullet through his shoulder. After his gunner shot down one of the Zeros, McClusky was able to land his plane safely on ''Enterprise'' even with partially shot-up controls. 

The confused attack order was later explained as a radio error due to [[interference (communication)|multiple people speaking at the same time]]. McClusky had been a fighter pilot prior to becoming Air Group Commander and was very familiar with dive bombing doctrine, as was Best. McClusky's decision to lead his squadron in attacking the closer ''Kaga'' was in keeping with doctrine that stated it was the commander on the scene that could make the decision as to what target to bomb.

Within minutes, three of the four Japanese carriers had been turned into burning hulks,<ref name=":0" /> with the ''Sōryū'' being hit by Yorktown's dive bombers. The remaining carrier of the Japanese fleet, ''Hiryū'', was damaged six hours later. The actual sinking of all four carriers was done by torpedoes from Japanese escort ships as the Japanese were unable to move their crippled carriers and did not want them to be captured. 

McClusky, for his vital contribution to the outcome of this pivotal battle, was awarded the [[Navy Cross]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Michel |first=Lou|date=May 29, 2016 |title=South Buffalo pilot's mettle turned the tide in Battle of Midway|url= http://buffalonews.com/2016/05/29/south-buffalo-pilots-mettle-turned-the-tide-in-battle-of-midway/ |work=[[The Buffalo News]] |access-date=May 13, 2017}}</ref> Later in World War II, he commanded the [[escort aircraft carrier|escort carrier]] {{USS|Corregidor|CVE-58|6}}.

==After the war==
McClusky served in a variety of staff and shore positions in the later 1940s. During the [[Korean War]], he was chief of staff to the commanders of the [[United States First Fleet|First]] and [[United States Seventh Fleet|Seventh Fleets]]. He commanded [[Naval Air Station Glenview]], [[Illinois]], in 1952–53, and the Boston Group of the [[Atlantic Reserve Fleet]] in 1954–56. McClusky retired from active duty in July 1956 as a Captain but was promoted administratively to Rear Admiral. U.S. Navy policy at the time allowed officers who earned a personal award for heroism (his Navy Cross) to advance one grade upon retirement but without pay. This policy was unofficially known as a [[tombstone promotion]] with the thought being the individual would have that rank inscribed on his tombstone. The policy ended in the early 1960s. Admiral McClusky's tombstone at the United States Naval Academy cemetery has his rank inscribed as Rear Admiral.

The [[Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park]] has commissioned and dedicated a bronze sculpture of McClusky's likeness. It stands in the museum.

==Awards and honors==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="5"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Naval Aviator Badge.png|width=205|alt=}}
|-
|colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=110}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|ribbon=Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|ribbon=Air_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=Navy_and_Marine_Corps_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=China_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=6|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army_of_Occupation_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=Presidential_Unit_Citation_(Korea).svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="5"|[[United States Aviator Badge|Naval Aviator Wings]]
|-
|colspan="3"| [[Navy Cross]]
|colspan="3"| [[Legion of Merit]]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]
|colspan="2"| [[Purple Heart]]
|colspan="2"| [[Air Medal]]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Navy Commendation Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation]]<br /> w/ [[service star|{{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Star]]
|colspan="2"| [[China Service Medal]]
|-
|colspan="2"|[[American Defense Service Medal]]<br/>w/ {{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Star
|colspan="2"|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]]<br />w/ {{frac|3|16}}" Silver and Bronze Stars
|-
|colspan="2"|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Navy Occupation Service Medal]]<br>w/ 'Japan' clasp
|colspan="2"|[[National Defense Service Medal]]
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Korean Service Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)|Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation]]
|colspan="2"|[[United Nations Korea Medal]]
|-
|}

===Navy Cross citation===
[[File:Navy_Cross.png|50px|left]]
:Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wade McClusky Jr.
:U.S. Navy
:Date Of Action: June 6, 1942
<blockquote>
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wade McClusky Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane and Air Group Commander of Enterprise Air Group, attached to the USS Enterprise (CV-6), during the Battle of Midway on 6 June 1942. On receipt of a report of an enemy Japanese invasion fleet in the area, Lieutenant Commander McClusky led his squadron of planes in a dogged and thorough search, continued until the objective was located, and attacked with boldness and determination four enemy carriers in complete disregard of heavy anti-aircraft fire and strong fighter opposition. Such severe damage was inflicted on the flight decks of the Japanese carriers that they were effectively put out of action. In this engagement, in which Lieutenant Commander McClusky suffered a shoulder wound from enemy shrapnel, his courage and inspiring leadership in the face of overwhelming opposition and great danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20669|title=Valor awards for Clarence Wade McClusky Jr.|newspaper=Military Times|access-date=2024-01-05}}</ref>
</blockquote>

===Namesakes===
{{USS|McClusky|FFG-41}} was named in his honor.

The Wade McClusky Award is given annually to the most outstanding attack squadron in the US Navy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-flagship/oceana/news/vfa-143-pukin-dogs-receive-wade-mcclusky-award/article_d7579640-e6f8-50b5-8259-c49b40dd0610.html |title=VFA-143 Pukin' Dogs receive Wade McClusky Award |first=Lt. Brian |last=Jones |work=The Flagship |publisher=Military Newspapers of Virginia |date=October 26, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Portrayal in media==
* In the 1949 film ''[[Task Force (film)|Task Force]]'', McClusky was portrayed by actor [[Bruce Bennett]].
* In the 1976 film ''[[Midway (1976 film)|Midway]]'', he was portrayed by actor [[Christopher George]].
* In the 1988 TV miniseries ''[[War and Remembrance (miniseries)|War and Remembrance]]'', he was portrayed by actor [[Earl Hindman]].
* In the 2019 film ''[[Midway (2019 film)|Midway]]'', McClusky was portrayed by actor [[Luke Evans (actor)|Luke Evans]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/luke-evans-roland-emmerich-midway-1202865108/ | title=Luke Evans Joins Roland Emmerich's World War II Movie 'Midway' | first=Dave | last=McNary | date=July 3, 2018 | work=Variety | access-date=March 29, 2019}}</ref>

==References==
:{{DANFS}}
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* {{citation|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=HaiMDwAAQBAJ|title =Wade McClusky and the Battle of Midway|first =David|last =Rigby|publisher =[[Bloomsbury Publishing]]|date =2019|isbn =978-1472834713}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Find a Grave}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McClusky, C. Wade}}
[[Category:1902 births]]
[[Category:1976 deaths]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Scotch-Irish descent]]
[[Category:Battle of Midway]]
[[Category:Burials at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:Aviators from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States Navy rear admirals]]
[[Category:United States Navy pilots of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:Episcopalians from New York (state)]]