FRANK B. QUADY, LCDR, USN

Frank Quady '38

Date of birth: April 25, 1916

Date of death: May 11, 1945

Age: 29

Lucky Bag

From the 1938 Lucky Bag:

FRANK BERNARD QUADY

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Frank, Kraedy

From the "land of ten thousand lakes" comes this son of the North. After four years of study, he has learned to navigate his home waters. Intensely proud of his native state, he continually raves about the fine football teams it produces. Frank is like those teams, a real winner. Not especially studious, he has spells when his educational yearnings are not to be stifled, and then woe betide the unfortunates who arouse his Teutonic ire. Except for a minor setback during Plebe year, he has been uniformly successful. He is good at nearly all athletics, but golf is his first love. During Youngster year he was converted to snakedom from the ranks of the Red Mikes. His good sportsmanship and an unfailing sense of humor make him easy-going and agreeable.

Batt. Basketball 4, 3, 2, 1; Track 4, 3; Golf 3, 2, 1; Soccer 4; Log 3; M.P.O.

FRANK BERNARD QUADY

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Frank, Kraedy

From the "land of ten thousand lakes" comes this son of the North. After four years of study, he has learned to navigate his home waters. Intensely proud of his native state, he continually raves about the fine football teams it produces. Frank is like those teams, a real winner. Not especially studious, he has spells when his educational yearnings are not to be stifled, and then woe betide the unfortunates who arouse his Teutonic ire. Except for a minor setback during Plebe year, he has been uniformly successful. He is good at nearly all athletics, but golf is his first love. During Youngster year he was converted to snakedom from the ranks of the Red Mikes. His good sportsmanship and an unfailing sense of humor make him easy-going and agreeable.

Batt. Basketball 4, 3, 2, 1; Track 4, 3; Golf 3, 2, 1; Soccer 4; Log 3; M.P.O.

Loss

Frank was lost when USS Bunker Hill (CV 17) was struck by two kamikazes on May 11, 1945 while operating off the coast of Okinawa. He was a member of the staff of Task Force 58, commanded by VADM Mark Mitscher. (He was "Jimmy Flatley’s assistant in the TF-58 ops shop.") Frank was one of three officers and nine enlisted men from the staff killed; in all, Bunker Hill suffered 390 dead and 264 wounded.

Other Information

His wife, Helen, was listed as next of kin. They were married on June 18, 1941. In addition to his wife, he was survived by his son, Roy. His younger brother, Emmett Quady, graduated with the Class of 1943. (Family information from Frank's nephew Scott on December 6, 2017.)

Frank is remembered at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii.

Photographs

Helen and Frank, likely 1941. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
In Annapolis, circa 1938. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
Frank and Helen, sometime after they were married. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
Frank and Helen, sometime after they were married. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
Frank after being winged as a Naval Aviator, circa 04/5/1941 - 05/19/1941. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
Frank in either Washington (stationed in '44) or Minnesota (home visit in '43). Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
L-R: John Cooke, Frank, and likely Henry White. Photo courtesy of John A. Cooke.
LTjg Walter Heibert (L) and Frank. Photo courtesy of John A. Cooke.
Plane captain, Frank Hynes is refueling Lt. Quady's F4F (VF-11). The two scores on a single sortie are displayed (resulting in a spot Air medal: he had 1 silver and 4 gold stars with it). Photo courtesy of Frank Hynes.
Charles Fenton (L) and Frank. Photo courtesy of John A. Cooke.
Courtesy of Scott Quady.
Courtesy of Scott Quady.
Frank's Distinguished Flying Cross and Gold Star in lieu of second award. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
Frank's Purple Heart Medal. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
Frank's Bronze Star Medal. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.
Frank's Air Medal and subsequent award stars. Photo courtesy of Scott Quady.

Biography

In December 2019 Frank was honored with a banner on Coronados's "Avenue of the Heroes." The accompanying biography was published in the Coronado Eagle on December 19, 2019, authored by Scott and Roy Quady:

Frank Bernard Quady, United States Naval Academy class of 1938, was born in Minneapolis on April 25, 1916. He was the first of two brothers to graduate from Annapolis. Both would fight in the Pacific theater during World War II. Quady completed flight training in Pensacola and Miami, receiving his wings of gold in April '41.
In June he married Helen Mlinar at Sacred Heart Church, Coronado. Later he reported to Fighter Squadron Six (assigned to USS Enterprise, which relocated to Pearl Harbor). Quady's Enterprise service, which spanned the Pacific, saw action during the Gilbert/Marshall Islands Raid, Wake Island Raids, the Doolittle Mission and the Battle of Midway; the Enterprise group earned the Presidential Unit Citation.
While on a rare leave in his home state of Minnesota, the locals celebrated their native son's endeavors. Deflecting the attention, Quady was quoted saying, "The dive bombers deserve the credit, though, for they're the ones that carry the mail."
Quady served in the Carrier Replacement Squadron (VF11) at Lunga Point, Guadalcanal, where he received an Air Medal for heroics in aerial flight.
In June of 1943 Quady downed two enemy planes in a single sortie (log book entry: "..a stern run into the leading vee of bombers..."). After the action, he remarked to "Red" Schild and Frank Hynes, "all that and not a mark," for which he received the reply, "take a look at your tail." Upon a glance, he gulped, noticing significant damage to his plane.
As a lieutenant commander, Quady was assigned to TF58 aboard the USS Bunker Hill (CV17); he served as Assistant Flight Operations Officer. The Bunker Hill carried out the Iwo Jima Assault and Occupation Operation, including the Fifth Fleet raids against Honshu and Nansei Shoto through March 16, and Okinawa Gunto Operation Fifth/Third Fleet raids in support through June 11. He saw a lot action during the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where he helped rescue many downed airmen, earning the Bronze Star medal. In fact, Captain G.A. Seitz wrote, "Task Force records will show that the number of rescues reached a new high during the time Frank was a member of the Staff. Many pilots were saved, due to his efforts..." And "His friendliness and high sense of humor made him one of the best loved members of the staff."
Quady's brother, Emmett, in theater aboard a destroyer, the USS Fanning, wrote home about the hectic pace at which Quady was serving, "...a postcard from Frank...was rather funny...his way of telling me that he knew where I was hanging out and that he couldn't possibly get away to see me on the few occasions he was near. He is moving in fast company."
Tragically, Frank and 392 of his shipmates were killed by two kamikaze attacks on Friday morning, May 11, 1945. Quady's numerous awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) w/Gold Star, Air Medal (with one Silver, four Gold Stars), Bronze Star, Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal (Fleet), American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (three Bronze Stars), Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with Gold Star, and the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal.
Quady's beloved wife Helen, and their son Roy, lived in Coronado from 1944 until 1962.

Remembrance

A condolence letter, courtesy of Roy B. Quady (via email from Scott Quady on December 13, 2017):

U. S. S. BUNKER HILL (CV17)
25 May 1945
My dear Mr. Quady,
Before this letter reaches you, you will already have received the sad news from the Navy Department that your son, Lt. Cmdr. Frank B. Quady, (NA), USN, was killed in action against the enemy. Although I realize fully that there is little I can say which will help to alleviate your natural grief, I do want to assure you of the very deep sympathy of every officer and man aboard this ship.
Your son's death on 11 May 1945 was caused by enemy bombing attacks against this vessel while operating in the forward combat area near Japan. Insofar as I can ascertain his death was without suffering and in all probability instantaneous. Due to battle conditions, it was of course necessary to bury his body at sea. This was done with all dignity and reverence on 12 May 1945 with burial services conducted by our Roman Catholic Chaplain. In addition, memorial services with full military honors were held on 20 May 1945 with the ship's company in attendance.
We recall the time after a particularly strenuous and trying day for the pilots of our force that Frank came into the Operations Office and in a very matter of fact manner announced that all of the downed pilots of the day had been rescued. Rescuing downed pilots was a hobby of Frank's, a sort of extra-curricular activity and the Task Force records will show that the number of rescues reached a new high during the time Frank was a member of the Staff. Many pilots were saved, due to his efforts that might otherwise have been given up for lost.
He excelled in his work as Assistant Operations Officer because of his knowledge of flying, of planes, and of pilots; and his work added materially to the results achieved by Task Force 58. His work was always done promptly and accurately. His friendliness and high sense of humor made him one of the best loved members of the Staff.
…
Again may I extend my heartfelt sympathy. Please try to take at least some measure of comfort in your sorrow in the thought that your son died as only a brave man can, fighting for those ideals and values and verities which we believe to be more important than even life itself. I can assure you that we who have been granted the opportunity to carry on the fight for him are determined that his death shall not have been in vain.
Very sincerely yours,\
/signed/\
G.A. SEITZ,\
Captain, U.S. Navy,\
Commanding.

Wartime Service

Frank is mentioned nearly two dozen times in the book The First Team: Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl Harbor to Midway by John B. Lundstrom.

At the outbreak of the war he was a pilot in Fighting Squadron (VF) 6, and flew from USS Enterprise in the Battle of Midway. His first action report, when his section shot down a reconnaissance float plane, is available here.

Frank was one of the initial members of Fighting Squadron (VF) 11, which was formed at NAS North Island in August 1942. Frank remained with that squadron through at least June 1943. From Axis History:

The VF-11 3d division, led by Quady, became known as the “Iron Men”, the only division in the squadron where each member scored at least once and suffered not a single casualty or aircraft loss in the course of the squadron’s Solomons tour: Lt Frank Quady (2 D3A); Lt(jg) Sol White (1 A6M, 1 D3A); Lt(jg) Charlie Schild (1 G4M); and Lt(jg) John Cooke (1 D3A, 1 G4M).

He is also mentioned repeatedly in this book on VF-11/111 'Sundowners'.

From Scott Quady, his nephew, via email on December 10, 2017:

4/25/1916: Born, Minneapolis, MN (Francis, Frank)

6/14/1934: Oath of Office, USNA, Appointed Midshipman from Minnesota (Hon. E. Lundeen, At Large, MN)

7/XX/1935: Summer cruise: USS Arkansas (BB-33)

7/XX/1937: Summer cruise: USS Wyoming (BB-32)

6/2/1938: Commissioned Ensign to rank from 6/2/38 (graduation).

6/2/1938: Accepted appointment and executed oath of office. Duty connection fitting out USS Boise CL-47, Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Va.

6/30/1938: Reported: USS Boise CL-47

4/1/1939: USNA Qualifying Exam (estimated day: Month, Year correct).

4/8/1939: Assignment for USS Ralph Talbot DD-390

6/17/1939: I.Commissioning on, 8/12/38. Detached USS Boise CL-47

6/21/1939: Reported: USS Ralph Talbot DD-390

5/9/1940: Assignment: Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. [NA9 Corry Field](Instruction in heavier-than-air aircraft)

7/3/1940: Detached: USS Ralph Talbot DD-390

7/14/1940: Reported: Pensacola Naval Air Station - NA9 Corry Field (Instruction in heavier-than-air aircraft)

11/19/1940: Assignment: Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. [NA9 Corry Field](Duty involving flying under instruction)

11/25/1940: Detached: Pensacola Naval Air Station - NA9 Corry Field (Instruction in heavier-than-air aircraft)

11/25/1940: Reported: Pensacola Naval Air Station - NA9 Corry Field (Duty involving flying under instruction)

2/17/1941: Assignment: Naval Air Station, Miami, Fla. [NA30] (Instruction involving flying)

2/17/1941: Assignment: Fighting Squadron Six (VF-6) - USS Enterprise CV-6 (Duty involving flying)

2/21/1941: Detached: Pensacola Naval Air Station - NA9 Corry Field (Duty involving flying under instruction)

2/23/1941: Reported: Miami, Naval Air Station - NA30 (Instruction involving flying)

4/5/1941: Detached: Miami, Naval Air Station - NA30 (Instruction involving flying)

4/24/1941: Reported: Fighting Squadron Six (VF-6) - USS Enterprise CV-6 (Duty involving flying)[San Diego - NA11/Long Beach - NA16)

06/XX/41: Marries Helen Phyllis Mlinar

10/13/1941: Commissioned regular Lieutenant (jg) to rank from 6/2/41

12/1/1941: TF8: First Tour: Wake Island

2/1/1942: USS Enterprise CV-6 Gilbert and Marshall Islands Raid (Pres. Unit Citation)

2/1/1942: TF8: Gilberts/Marshalls (USS Enterprise CV-6)

2/24/1942: USS Enterprise CV-6 Wake Island Raid (Pres. Unit Citation)

3/4/1942: USS Enterprise CV-6 Marcus Island Raid (Pres. Unit Citation)

4/1/1942: TF16: Doolittle Mission (USS Enterprise CV-6)

6/4/1942: USS Enterprise CV-6 Battle of Midway (Pres. Unit Citation)

6/4/1942: TF1: Midway (USS Enterprise CV-6)

6/15/1942: Appointed Lieutenant, for temporary service, to rank from 6/15/42

8/XX/1942: Move from Oahu, HI to San Diego, CA (HPQ-FBQ)

8/31/1942: Assignment: Carrier Replacement Squadrons (VF-11), Pacific Fleet. Fleet Air, Alameda, Ca. (NA27)(Temporary duty involving flying).

10/20/1942: Assignment: VF-11

10/23/1942: Transport (gap): USS Chenango (CVE-28) San Diego, CA to Oahu, HI - NAS Barbers Point (NA70)

11/1/1942: Assignment: VF-11 Training as "Sun Downers" - NAS Maui (NA54), HI thru 2/43

2/1/1943: Departed: Pearl Harbor, T.H. - (USS Altamaha CVE-18 &/or USS Long Island CVE-1)

3/6/1943: VF-11 Detach from CVE's to Nandi (Fiji Islands)(NA- )

3/7/1943: VF-11 Assignment at Nandi (Fiji Islands)(NA- ), on short notice to Guadalcanal

4/1/1943: Reported: Fighter 1, Guadalcanal utilizing F4F-4 [spot Air Medal: single sortie/2 down]

4/25/1943: VF-11 Detach from Nandi (Fiji Islands)(NA- ), to Lunga Point Strip aka: Fighter 1, Guadalcanal, Solomons

7/XX/1943: Transport: from Guadalcanal to Espiritu Santo

8/XX/1943: Transport: from Espiritu Santo to Alameda, CA - NAS (NA-27)

8/24/1943: Assignment: Fleet Air, West Coast (Duty involving flying - Fighting Squadron Type Instructor) Seattle, Wa. (NA-45)

8/26/1943: Detached: Carrier Replacement Squadrons (VF-11), Alameda, Ca. (NA-27) (Temporary duty involving flying)

10/2/1943: Reported: Fleet Air, West Coast (Duty involving flying - Fighting Squadron Type Instructor) Seattle, Wa. (NA-45)

12/30/1943: Assignment: Staff, Commander, Fleet Air, Seattle, Wa. (NA-13)(Duty involving flying)

4/15/1944: Appointed Lieutenant Commander, for temporary service, to rank from March 1, 1944.

10/1/1944: Declaration: Tri-Part Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS): Okinawa Sea, Volcanoes/Bonins and (?Sea of Japan).

11/28/1944: Assignment: Staff, Commander First Carrier Task Force (TF58) Pacific Fleet (Duty involving flying)

1/1/1945: Departs: USS Bunker Hill CV-17 from Bremerton, Wa.

2/7/1945: Reported: Staff, Commander First Carrier Task Force (TF58) Pacific Fleet (Duty involving flying) at Ulithi, USS Bunker Hill CV-17.(Flown in)

2/15/1945: USS Bunker Hill CV-17 (TF58) Iwo Jima Operation, Assault and Occupation of Iwo Jima. 5th Fleet Raids against Honshu and the Nansei Shoto through 3/16/45.

3/17/1945: USS Bunker Hill CV-17 (TF58) Okinawa Gunto Operation, 5th and 3rd Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto Operation through 6/11/45.

5/11/1945: Kamikaze attack/USS Bunker Hill (CV-17)

5/28/1945: Western Union: Lt. Cdr., Frank B. Quady, KIA (First written notice to HPQ; Second notice to ALQ)

Distinguished Flying Cross

From Hall of Valor:

SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Frank B. Quady (NSN: 0-81202), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
General Orders: American Battle Monuments Commission
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander

He was also awarded a second Distinguished Flying Cross; unable to find full citations for these medals.

Bronze Star

From a document provided by Scott Quady via email on December 13, 2017:

For meritorious achievement as Assistant Operations Officer and Staff Watch Officer, attached to the Staff of the Commander, FIRST Carrier Task Force, embarked on the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL, during combat operations against enemy Japanese forces Pacific War Area, from December 20, 1944, to May 11, 1945. Exercising reliable judgement and sound tactical ability, Lieutenant Commander Quady rendered invaluable assistance during the planning and execution of extensive operations against the Japanese Empire, including the first Tokyo raids, support of the landings on Iwo Jima, strikes against Kyushu and the Eure Naval Base, support of the Okinawa landings and an engagement with major units of the Japanese Fleet on April 7. Working tirelessly and with resourceful initiative in coordinating Air-Sea Rescue operations throughout this period of intensive combat action, he aided materially in effecting the rescue of numerous downed airmen. By his inspiring leadership, cool courage and zealous devotion to duty is the face of tremendous odds, Lieutenant Commander Quady contributed materially to the success of his task force operations and his gallant conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Air Medal

From a document provided by Scott Quady via email on December 13, 2017:

For meritorious achievement while serving with Fighting Squadron ELEVEN during section against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area from April 28 to July 10, 1943. Participating in routine patrols, task force covers, escort missions and fighter sweeps, Lieutenant Quady carried out his flight assignments with cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety. On one occasion, in order to intercept a hostile air force threatening our shipping off Lunga and Koli Points, he led a four-plane division of fighters in a 10,000 foot dive out of the sun. Launching overhead and stern runs on the leading formation of dive bombers, he shot down two out of a total of seven Japanese aircraft destroyed by his flight. His superb flying skill and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. 14 December 1944

Frank was awarded several other air medals — specifically a silver and four gold stars in lieu of other awards — but unable to find citations for those medals.

Navy Directories & Officer Registers

The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.

The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.

The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.