Sunrise Reidy

Limited Edition of 199 
Overall size: 20” x 24”
Image size: 14.5” x 19.5”
S/N by Artist
Support: Epson Ultrasmooth Fine Art Paper

Plane Type: F4U-1D Corsair

 It was early in the morning (0540L) of 15 August 1945 that LCDR Thomas Hamil Reidy, USNR, CO of VBF-83 shot down a Nakajima C6N1 Saiun reconnaissance aircraft while flying an F4U-1D #221. It was Reidy's tenth confirmed kill, having scored his first victory on 18 March 1945. It was the last confirmed American air-to-air victory of World War II while hostilities were still officially declared. Five minutes after he destroyed the Nakajima “Myrt” (Saiun) reconnaissance aircraft, the war officially ended.

However Third Fleet aircraft were becoming engaged with other enemy aircraft subsequent to the official cessation of hostilities and other “kills” would still be recorded by pilots of both sides in the hours that followed Reidy’s tenth aerial victory. Thomas H. Reidy was also holder of the Navy Cross “for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VBF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in the attack against units of the Japanese Fleet in the harbor of Kure, Japan, on 24 July 1945. During the action, Lieutenant Reidy sighted a Japanese heavy cruiser and, in the face of extremely intense anti-aircraft fire, he made a highly skillful and courageous lone attack on the enemy warship, scoring a direct hit with his bomb as a result of which the warship was seriously damaged. His aggressiveness, skill and courage were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”