In 1938, a young man from Deer Lodge, Montana stepped off the train in Pensacola, Florida on his way to NAS Pensacola to enter the Navy's flight school. He had entered the US Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1931 and after four years on their football team he graduated in 1939. Now he was thrust into the world of military aviation just prior to Europe's outbreak of World War II. Gordon Eugene Schecter, known as "Bunny", would earn his cherished silver wings on May 16, 1939. Two weeks later, he married his sweetheart Beverly Jacqueline Thomas in Pensacola on June 1, 1939.
He was eventually assigned to Squadron VF 45 aboard the CVL 30, USS San Jacinto, where he rose to become its commanding officer. One of his shipmates was President George Bush, who flew in the San Jacinto's torpedo squadron and was shot down in September 1944. Flying his Hellcat fighter on February 16, 1945 in harsh weather, he struck a vital enemy aircraft plant north of Tokyo. Flying through dense anti-aircraft fire his attack group created heavy damage to the enemy installations. As they began their return flight back to their carrier the group was attacked by an overwhelming flight of enemy fighters.
During the air battle his fighter and torpedo planes shot down at least twelve enemy planes without loss of a single American plane. During the fight, he shot down his fifth enemy fighter, thereby becoming a Navy "ace" of which, he was awarded the Silver Star for his heroism and leadership. Four weeks later, on March 18, 1945, his squadron was assigned to a bombing mission over Okinawa, just prior to the US Marine landing on the 1st of April.
Sadly, the 32-year old Schecter was shot down over the island and killed instantly. His wife Beverly and their son Donnie were contacted by the naval authorities at their home at 719 North 19th Avenue and informed that her husband was missing in action. His remains were recovered after the battle and buried. On January 1, 1949 he was disinterred and returned home at his family's request where he was buried with full military honors in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, CA. Beverly would pass away at the age of 75-years old in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Annapolis Graduate, Class of 1935
Assigned to the USS San Jacinto in September 1944
Commander Gordon Eugene Schecter, CO of VF 45, 1945
USS San Jacinto shipmate President George Bush of VT 51
Pensacola News Journal 4-3-1945
Pensacola News Journal 5-1-1945
Grave of USN Cdr Gordon Eugene Schecter
Golden Gate National Cemetery
San Bruno, CA