Lambert flew a Grumman TBM Avenger in the South Pacific

Finally, VG got his wish.  He was chosen to create and command VT-15, which became the most successful squadron of torpedo bombers in WWII - flying off the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9) in 1944.

The Avenger had a crew of three.  One manned a ball turret behind the pilot and a tail gunner crouched in the belly.  The airplane carried a ton of torpedoes or bombs, and was designed for low-level attack.

Lambert's brother-in-law Radcliffe was squadron commander of VT-11, and also flew an Avenger from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12) which fought along side the ESSEX as part of Task Group 38.3  The two men often fought in the same battles.

A stunning series of battles:

In just six months from April 29 to Nov. 17, 1944, Lambert's squadron saw combat at Marcus and Wake Islands, the Marianas, Palau Islands, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Formosa, Hong Kong, Kwajalein, Ryukyus, Saipan, Okinawa, Guam, Nansai Shotos, and the battles of the Philippine Sea, the Sibuyan Sea  and Leyte Gulf.

It's a wonder that anyone survived.  Sadly, one-third did not.  By war's end,
Every single pilot in Lambert's squadron was awarded the Navy Cross for
"extraordinary combat heroism in the presence of great danger and personal risk".

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