Richard Halsey Best

Richard Halsey Best
NicknameDick
Born(1910-03-24)March 24, 1910
Bayonne, New Jersey, US
DiedOctober 28, 2001(2001-10-28) (aged 91)
Santa Monica, California, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Service years1932–1944
Rank Lieutenant commander
ConflictsWorld War II
AwardsNavy Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross

Richard Halsey Best (March 24, 1910 – October 28, 2001) was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. Stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, Best led his dive bomber squadron at the 1942 Battle of Midway, sinking two Japanese aircraft carriers in one day. His lungs were damaged by caustic soda fumes during the fight, leading to his medical retirement several months later.

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