Task Force

Scotty Scott, a 1917 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, begins his career in naval aviation. He champions carrier-based air power and the strategic value of aircraft carriers from the outset. He also forms a lasting mentorship bond with his superior officer Pete Richard.

Starting in 1921, Scott commits to a 28-year career in naval aviation. He becomes a vocal advocate for carriers and their tactical potential in future conflicts. His outspokenness earns him both allies and enemies within the Navy and Congress.

Two years in Hawaii give Scott frontline exposure to carrier operations and fleet life. He uses this time to build leadership skills and sharpen his conviction that carriers should be central to naval strategy.

Scott moves to Annapolis where he becomes a lieutenant commander and teaches naval aviation. His candid defense of aircraft carriers in combat draws opposition from senior officers and leads to a stalled promotion.

During this period, he marries Mary Morgan, the widow of a fellow flier who died in a Langley carrier takeoff accident. This marriage anchors his life amid his demanding naval career. Mary becomes a steady partner as Scott continues to push for carrier-centric strategy.

After Japan's invasion of Manchuria, Scott is offered a civilian sales position selling aircraft in Europe. He declines the offer, choosing to remain in the Navy and keep pursuing the carrier-focused doctrine. This decision reinforces his commitment to service and his belief in American naval air power.

Following the Pearl Harbor attack, Scott's carrier USS Enterprise sails into action and participates in the pivotal Battle of Midway. The battle underscores the critical role of aircraft carriers in modern warfare and shifts strategic thinking.

After Midway, Scott travels to Washington, D.C. to press for more carriers and for a carrier fleet. His persistence helps shift Navy policy toward expanding carrier assets in the war effort.

During the Okinawa campaign, Scott commands the USS Franklin. The carrier's flight deck is heavily damaged by Japanese torpedo planes, forcing a dangerous withdrawal back to the United States for repairs.

The war ends as the Franklin and its crew arrive at the Navy Yard in New York City for repairs and debriefing. The mission underscores the carrier's central role in Allied victory and the toll of heavy combat.

Four years after the war, Scott retires from the Navy as a rear admiral and is finally reunited with Mary on a dock in New York City. The ending emphasizes a life of duty harmonized with family.

Throughout his career, Pete Richard is a constant mentor and ally who guides Scott through political and wartime challenges. Their enduring friendship helps shape Scott's decisions and resolve.