NO RIGHT TO WIN

A CONTINUING DIALOGUE WITH VETERANS OF
THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY

The best of the Battle of Midway Roundtable in book form

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THE MIDWAY VETERANS OF NO RIGHT TO WIN:

AMM1 WILLIAM F. SURGI, JR., USN-Retired

   

 

Left: Surgi in 1942.  Right: Surgi in 2003.

 

Bill Surgi was an aviation mechanic with VF-42, the fighter squadron assigned to USS Yorktown (CV-5).  The merging of VF-3 pilots and aircraft with VF-42 for the BOM is one of the battle’s confusion factors, which Surgi adamantly sought to redress throughout his tenure on the Roundtable and before.  VF-42 pilots, equipment, and enlisted support were by far the majority within the composite squadron, but it has gone down in the history books as “VF-3” since its commander was VF-3 skipper Jimmy Thach.  Surgi was quick to point out who and what had actually comprised the squadron whenever an opportunity arose.  He was a regular supporter and attendee at annual VF-42 and Yorktown reunions.

 

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