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Thomas John Gratzek

Second Lieutenant Thomas J. Gratzek was a Marine Corps pilot who flew with VMSB-241.
He was shot down and reported missing in the battle of Midway on 4 June 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-7506

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains not recovered.

Pursuit Category

Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

May 8, 1918
at St. Paul, MN

Parents

Dr. Thomas Gratzek
Theresa Ann (Olejniczak) Gratzek

Education

Cretin High School (1936)
University of Minnesota (1940)

Occupation & Employer

Student

Service Life

Entered Service

January 15, 1941 (enlisted)
December 12, 1941 (officer)

Home Of Record

1104 Orange Street
St. Paul, MN

Next Of Kin

Parents, Thomas & Theresa Gratzek

Military Specialty

Pilot
Assistant Gunnery Officer

Primary Unit

VMSB-241

Campaigns Served

Midway

Individual Decorations

Navy Cross
Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Second Lieutenant Thomas Gratzek was a Marine pilot  with VMSB-241, a scout-bomber squadron based at Midway Island in 1942. He was part of the First Section, First Division, led by Major Lofton R. Henderson, and usually flew with Sergeant Charles W. Recke as his radioman and gunner.

At 0610 hours on 4 June 1942, VMSB-241 took off from Midway and rendezvoused at “Point Affirm” – a safe distance from the airfield, out of the way of an incoming Japanese strike force. A radio message sent them on course to attack an enemy carrier; a two-hour flight brought them within sight of the IJN Hiryū. The carrier sent up a wall of flak, and her fighters quickly climbed to engage the unescorted American bombers.

Captain Armand DeLalio watched nervously as the “Zekes” worked over the leading planes. He saw Gratzek and Recke’s bomber “in position above and ahead” as a Japanese pilot made a head-on diving attack. “Lieutenant Gratzek’s plane… broke into flames around the engine and he left the formation,” DeLalio later reported. He was the last American to see SBD-2 #2119.

Gratzek and Recke were reported as missing in action following the Hiryū strike. They were officially declared dead on 5 June 1943.

Burial Information or Disposition

Shot down at sea; remains not recovered.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of parents, Thomas & Theresa Gratzek.

Location Of Loss

Gratzek was shot down at an unspecified point after departing from Midway.

Related Profiles

Personnel of VMSB-241 lost at Midway
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0 thoughts on “Thomas J. Gratzek”

  1. Comment from Sam Newman
    28 May 2012

    My sons and I read these stories on Memorial day to know the names and stories of those that made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

  2. Comment from Marie Bibus
    5 June 2012

    He was my Dad’s friend and cousin, and we are thinking of him on this 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway.

  3. Comment from Rob Ault
    3 September 2012

    This is the most information I have found about my Great Uncle. Thanks very much Geoff.
    Blue Skies,
    Rob Ault

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