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John Thach ("Jimmy") was born on 19 April, 1905 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S., is a United States Navy admiral (1905–1981). Discover John Thach's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 75 years old?

Popular As "Jimmy"
Occupation N/A
Age 75 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 19 April 1905
Birthday 19 April
Birthplace Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Date of death 15 April, 1981
Died Place Coronado, California, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 19 April. He is a member of famous with the age 75 years old group.

John Thach Height, Weight & Measurements

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John Thach Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is John Thach worth at the age of 75 years old? John Thach’s income source is mostly from being a successful . He is from United States. We have estimated John Thach's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
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Timeline

1905

John Smith Thach (April 19, 1905 – April 15, 1981) was a World War II Naval Aviator, air combat tactician, and United States Navy admiral.

Thach developed the Thach Weave, a combat flight formation which could counter enemy fighters of superior performance, and later the big blue blanket, an aerial defense against kamikaze attacks.

John S. Thach was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on April 19, 1905.

1927

He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1927 and spent two years serving in battleships, before becoming a Naval Aviator in early 1930.

His USNA classmates included William Brockman, Creed Burlingame, and Eugene Lindsey.

Thach spent the next decade serving as a test pilot and instructor and establishing a reputation as an expert in aerial gunnery.

1940

In early 1940, Thach was placed in command of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3).

There he met a young ensign just out of flight school, Edward O'Hare, later a Medal of Honor recipient.

Thach made O'Hare his wingman and taught him everything he knew.

At the United States Navy fleet gunnery competition at the end of 1940, eight of the 16 VF-3 pilots qualified for the gunnery "E" award ("excellence").

Later Thach developed a fighter combat tactic known as the Thach Weave.

This tactic enabled American fighter aircraft to hold their own against the more maneuverable Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the primary Imperial Japanese Navy fighter aircraft.

1942

Lieutenant Commander Thach and VF-3 flew from USS Saratoga (CV-3) in the early part of World War II, and was assigned to USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the Battle of Midway in June 1942.

On the morning of June 4, Thach led a six-plane sortie from VF-3, escorting twelve Douglas TBD Devastators of VT-3 led by Lieutenant Commander Lance Massey from Yorktown, when they discovered the main Japanese carrier fleet.

They were immediately attacked by 15 to 20 Japanese fighters.

Thach decided to use his namesake maneuver, marking its first combat usage.

Although outnumbered and outmaneuvered, Thach managed to shoot down three Zeros and a wingman accounted for another, at the cost of one Grumman F4F Wildcat.

After Midway, Thach was assigned to instruct other pilots in combat tactics.

The United States Navy pulled its best combat pilots out of action to train newer pilots, while the Japanese kept their best pilots in combat.

As the war progressed, the Japanese Navy lost their experienced pilots due to attrition and had no well-trained replacements, while the United States was able to improve the general fighting ability of their own personnel.

When the Japanese resorted to the feared Kamikaze suicide attacks, Thach developed the "big blue blanket" system to provide an adequate defense.

Later in the war, Commander Thach became operations officer to Vice Admiral John S. McCain Sr., commander of the Fast Carrier Task Force.

1945

Thach was also present at the formal Japanese surrender aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) on September 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay.

Thach was a flying ace, having been credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft during World War II.

1953

Thach commanded USS Sicily (CVE-118) during the Korean War and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) in 1953–54.

1955

He was promoted to rear admiral in 1955.

1958

In 1958 and 1959, Thach was placed in command of an antisubmarine development unit, "Task Group Alpha", with the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge (CVS-45) serving as his flagship.

He subsequently appeared on the cover of Time magazine on September 1, 1958, for his contributions to anti-submarine warfare (ASW), which was a primary focus at the time in the ongoing Cold War.

An annual award was later established in his name for presentation to the top ASW squadron in the navy.

1960

Thach was promoted to vice admiral in 1960 and served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air in the Pentagon, where he presided over development of the A-7 Corsair II, among other naval aviation programs.

1965

As Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces Europe, starting in 1965, he pinned on his fourth star as a full admiral, retiring from the Navy in May 1967 from that position.

1981

The Arkansas Aviation Historical Society inducted Thach into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1981.

Thach died on April 15, 1981, in Coronado, California, four days before his 76th birthday, and was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

The frigate USS Thach (FFG-43) was named in his honor.

Thach and his wife Madalynn had four children.