Arthur V. Ely

Arthur V. Ely (1912–1942) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II.

Naval career
Arthur Vincent Ely, born 8 March 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1935. After aviation training he joined Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) in 1938.

Ely piloted a Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber of VT-6, operating off the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), at the Battle of Midway. He was shot down and killed on 4 June 1942 during the battle.

For his vigorous assault on Japanese forces at Midway, Ely was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.

Commemoration
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Ely (DE-309), launched in 1944 but never completed, was named for Lieutenant Ely.