Eugene Proctor Madole
Second Lieutenant Eugene P. Madole 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-7013
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
July 11, 1920
at Las Vegas, NM
Parents
John Proctor “JP” Madole
Daisy Agnes (Ford) Madole
Education
Woodrow Wilson High School (1938)
Long Beach Junior College (1940)
Occupation & Employer
Café waiter
Service Life
Entered Service
September 16, 1940 (enlist)
October 14, 1941 (commission)
Home Of Record
535 West 3rd Street
Long Beach, CA
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. J. P. Madole
Military Specialty
Pilot
Assistant Materials Officer
Primary Unit
VMF-221
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Madole was a Marine Corps fighter pilot assigned to VMF-221. His squadron was based at Midway Island in early 1942; Madole flew an outdated F2A-3 “Buffalo” fighter in 1 Division, led by squadron commander Major Floyd B. Parks. On the ground Madole also served as the squadron’s Assistant Materials 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 Madole’s F2A-3 #01548.
There are no eyewitness accounts of Madole’s demise; he failed to return to Midway, and was reported as missing in action. On 5 June 1943, Madole was officially declared dead.
Burial Information or Disposition
Shot down at sea; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. J. P. Madole
Location Of Loss
Madole was shot down at an unspecified point after departing from Midway.
Comment from Andrea Preppernau
9 November 2012
Eugene Proctor Madole was my Grandfather’s nephew (i.e. my mother’s cousin). Eugene died three years before my mother was even born, so she was never able to meet him. 2012 is the 70th anniversary of his death and our family has not forgotten and will never forget the sacrifice he made for our country and our freedom.
I recently came across the church newsletter from the First Baptist Church of Long Beach that announce that Eugene was MIA. It has several good things to say about him along with a poem written by one of his fellow church members. Would love to share it with you if you ever see this.
Eugene was my 1st cousin- my Dad’s brother’s only son. Although 16 years his junior, and never met him , I often heard about him in very terms. I would love to hear what the church members ha to say about him. Milton Madole rockyandsam@juno.com
I have come across an item that belongs to 2nd LT. Eugene Proctor Madole and would like to see it returned to his family. It is something that is only of value to them and not of monetary value to me. If you want more info please e-mail me. I am a marine veteran of Vietnam service.
My grandma Lucy was Eugene sister.. My grandfather Roy Countryman spoke very highly of him.. My mother “Lucy’s daughter Carol.., had me and my sister very young.. I had the pleasure of visiting Jack P Madole and his 2nd wife Hazel at their home in Long Beach.. Jack had the telegraph notification that his son was shot down in a frame mounted in his bedroom… Jack and Hazel were wonderful people.. If anyone has any stories they would like to share…, Ronniejholmes@gmail.com