Category Archives: World War II

Remembering AMM2 Loyce Edward Deen

Did you know that Chapel Hill was a preflight training station for Naval Aviators?  Did you know that Horace Williams Air Field was used for flight training? And, Did you know that 18,700 young aviators graduated and then headed for advanced aviation training and the war?  If you didn’t, you are not alone and this is why we are building the Orange County Veterans Memorial.

Orange County supported the war effort in many ways, but Naval Aviation and the Navy’s V-12 program was vital to our success at sea.  Everyone who called Orange County their home as they participated in the V-12 program deserves recognition.  We hope that family members and alumni will remember that and consider a memorial brick paver to honor one or more of them.  Many never returned.  Many were buried at sea.  This is just one of those stories shared with you in a video.

It was during the Battle of Manila Bay on November 5th, 1944.  Aviation Machinist Mate (Gunner) 2nd Class Loyce Edward Deen was the turret gunner in a TBF Avenger Aircraft.  The mission was with Torpedo Squadron VT15, Air Group 15, off USS ESSEX (CV-9) for Battle of Manila Bay. His aircraft landed safely, but his gun and his seat were riveted with shell fire.  His canopy was shattered and his body so tattered that it could not be removed.  His fingerprints were recorded, his body covered with a shroud, and his TBF Avenger was taken aft and placed in honor at center on the tail-end of the flight deck. 

The crew gathered for committal services and prayer, then the TBF Avenger was gently slid off the deck into the sea.  Burial at sea was an all too common occurrence in battle, but this event was captured on film.  AMM2 Deen has the distinction of being the only naval aviator buried at sea in his aircraft.  It reminds us of the sacrifice made by the many Navymen and women, and, of course, Marines–many trained right here in Orange County.  We share the video with you…  We, local veterans and families of veterans, still remember the sacrifices of the many who did not return home.  How can we possibly forget?  Donate today.

Carolina Basketball Just Lost a Living Legend

Long before the Dean Dome, our town was home  to great Carolina Basketball.  One of the greats was a young man from Rocky Mount, Taylor Theophilus Thorne.  Taylor Thorne passed away this past week at the age of 93.  He was born on February 26th, 1924, and was the son of the late Spencer T. Thorne and Anne Cox Thorne.  Taylor Thorne was not a tall fellow, nor was he huge in size, but he was fast, accurate, and driven.  He was also a North Carolina Veteran who made Orange County his home.

During World War II, he served in the 8th Air Force with a B-24 Bomber Group at Seething Air Force Base in England from November 1943 until June 1945.  The 8th Air Force was commanded by Major General Jimmy Doolittle.  Their mission was to bomb and bomb again the defenses of Germany.  This included “Big Week,” in February 1944 when the 8th Air Force joined the Royal Air Force to bomb Germany.  They put into the air over 1,000 B-17’s and B-24’s, plus more than 800 fighters to destroy 12 aircraft factories producing German fighter aircraft.  

A week later, the 8th Air Force made its first bombing run over Berlin on 6 March.  More than 700 bombers and 800 fighter aircraft attacked Berlin for the first time.  They returned two days later for a second attack that destroyed the VKF ball-bearing plant in Berlin, and, on the third day they returned for a third attack.  It was reported that nearly 5,000 tons of bombs were dropped during the Berlin offensive.  Taylor Thorne was there and he was undoubtedly serving with hundreds of other men from North Carolina.

Like all who served, they returned home to their families and started a family of their own.  Taylor returned to Rocky Mount and then enrolled at Carolina in Chapel Hill.  Like thousands of other men and women, he attended college using the GI Bill.

While in college, he played for the Carolina Tar Heels Basketball Team from 1946-48. The team went on to play in the 1946 NCAA Finals in New York under coach Bob Carnevale. Taylor was the recipient of the 1948 Foy Roberson Award (awarded in memory of Dr. Foy Roberson, MD, who was killed while piloting a military aircraft in 1941),  The Foy Roberson Award is presented to the most inspirational player that was voted upon by his teammates and coaches. In addition, he played college softball and was on the All State North Carolina 1949 Softball Team. After graduating from college, he was a controller for an Orange County dairy co-op. He worked until he was 85. 

Taylor Thorne seldom spoke of the war, his contributions, or his sacrifices.  He did not speak about the carnage of war, but when he was with his fellow American Legionnaire’s at the Chapel Hill Post 6 it was a different story and topic.  Taylor Thorne talked about his favorite subject–Tar Heel Basketball.  So, we share today a little bit about his service and a teaser footage from a movie on the Mighty Eighth Air Force.  War is terrifying and for those who served, it is full of memories.  We hope this clip helps you understand why is is so important to have a Veterans Memorial in Orange County.  We, no you, are honoring those who served.