Lieutenant James Edgar “Buck” Toliver USN | New Mexico State University

Distinguished Flying Cross / Air Medal w/ 3 Gold Stars

James Edgar “Buck” Toliver was born in Vaughn NM to James and Ollie Toliver on November 17, 1920. He was raised in Vaughn and attended Vaughn HS. In 1938 he enrolled at NMAMC to study Engineering. He attended three years, leaving in late 1940 to join the US Navy. In 1941 he earned his naval aviator wings. In October 1942, he was part of VF-12 as it was stood up at San Diego, the first attack squadron to fly the F4U Corsair. By January 1943 the unit was combat ready and departed to New Caledonia, only to arrive and find that they were ordered to turn their Corsairs over the US Marines and to train in the F6F Hellcat. In October 1943VF 12 departed aboard the USS Saratoga as part of Task Force 38 to support landing in Bougainville. In November VF 12 undertook the first highly successful raids against the Japanese fleet anchorage at Rabaul. The USS Saratoga then returned to San Francisco in December of 1943 to refit.

Lieutenant James Edgar “Buck” Toliver USN

In a few days it put back to sea bound for the Marshall Islands and subsequent attacks against Wotje, Taroa, Utirik and Rangelop atolls. In April of 44 the USS Saratoga was ordered to join the British Far East Fleet for attacks against Japanese installations in the Indian Ocean. In June 1944, after nine months of combat operations, the USS Saratoga returned to Bremerton Washington. In February 1945 after a much deserved rest, VF 12 was assigned to the USS Randolph and departed, joining Task Force 58 for attacks against the Japanese homeland. On February 16, 1945 the first carrier launched attacks against Tokyo since the Doolittle raid were launched. Again on February 17, 1945 the task force sent up 1000 aircraft to attack shipping, airfields and factories in the Tokyo area. Sixty aircraft were loss that day. One was Lt James “Buck” Toliver’s. His aircraft was never found and his body was lost at sea. Today, he is memorialized on the Tablet of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial Cemetery. Lt James Edgar “Buck” Toliver was 24 years of age at the time of his death.