Thomas Dimitri Samaras

Thomas Dimitri Samaras (January 29, 1921 - July 25, 1945) was an officer in the United States Navy and distinguished Naval Aviator decorated for action in during World War II. After high school Samaras attended the University of Akron.

Military career

Early military career On the 30th of December 1943, Samaras graduated from Basic Flight Training at NAS Corpus Christi.

On April 7, 1945, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Thomas Samaras along with pilots from VB-83, VT-83, VF-83, and VBF-83 launched from the USS Essex and intercepted the Japanese Battleship IJN Yamato. Samaras would score two direct hits on the IJN Yamato with 1,000-pound armor piercing bombs ultimately contributing to sinking of the Yamato.

Distinguished Flying Cross "Lieutenant, Junior Grade Thomas Dimitri Samaras (NSN: 0-337946), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VB-83), embarked in U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), over the Ryukyu Islands from 18 March 1945 to 9 May 1945."

Air Medal Samaras was awarded the Air Medals with 3 gold stars for heroism in combat.