David Wills Pinkerton, Jr.
Second Lieutenant David W. Pinkerton, Jr. was a Marine Corps pilot who flew with VMF-221.
He was shot down and reported missing in the battle of Midway on 4 June 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-7535
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 7, 1918
at Toledo, OH
Parents
David Wills Pinkerton, Sr.
Jeanette (Davy) Pinkerton
Education
Morton High School (1936)
University of Florida (1940)
Occupation & Employer
Glenn L. Martin Company
Service Life
Entered Service
April 9, 1941 (enlisted)
September 27, 1941 (officer)
Home Of Record
Highland Lake Apartments
Orlando, FL
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. David W. Pinkerton, Sr.
Military Specialty
Pilot
Assistant Personnel Officer
Primary Unit
VMF-221
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Pinkerton was a Marine Corps fighter pilot assigned to VMF-221. His squadron was based at Midway Island in early 1942; Pinkerton flew an outdated F2A-3 “Buffalo” fighter in 1 Division, led by squadron commander Major Floyd B. Parks. On the ground, Pinkerton also served as the squadron’s Assistant Personnel Officer.
At 0600 hours on 4 June 1942, Major Parks led his squadron aloft to intercept a large group of Japanese fighters and bombers bearing down on Midway. The five pilots of 1 Division attacked bravely, but their ageing Buffaloes were no match for the highly maneuverable “Zekes.” The entire division was shot out of the sky within minutes – including Lieutenant Pinkerton’s F2A-3 #01569. He fought with an extra disadvantage, for his wingman 2Lt. Charles Hughes was forced to land with engine trouble.
There are no eyewitness accounts of Pinkerton’s demise; he failed to return to Midway, and was reported as missing in action. On 5 June 1943, Pinkerton was officially declared dead.
Burial Information or Disposition
Shot down at sea; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Wartime address of father, Mr. David Pinkerton Sr.
Location Of Loss
Pinkerton was shot down at an unspecified point after departing from Midway.
