Date of birth:

September 19th, 1922 (Quarry/Wisconsin, United States)

Nationality:

American

Service number 0-301205, United States Naval Reserve.
Gaspar Testolin was born September 19th, 1922, the son of Italian immigrants Maria and Nicola Testolin. After graduating from High School he went to Elmhurst College. After his education, he held various jobs. In February 1942 Gaspar Testolin enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Before being drafted, he took private preliminary flying lessons at Notre Dame University and subsequently went to Iowa State University for pre-flight school. January 1943 he started flight training in Glenview. In April, Gaspar Testolon went to Corpus Christi, Texas to be trained as a Navy pilot. After this course he was transfered to Jacksonville for operational training in a divebombing squadron.
September 9th, he was discharged from active service. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In February 1948 he graduated as Mechanical Engineer and went to work at the Richardson Comp. in Melrose Park. He retired in 1983 as president and chairman of the board. Following retirement he studied law and continued to work as a lawyer for five years.
Around 1975 he changed his name to Reno Testolin.
Career:
August 4th, 1943: status as Naval Aviator.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Ensign

Awarded on:

August 4th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20) (Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20))

Awarded on:

July 4th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), engaged in an eleven-plane attack against a new enemy battleship and its destroyer-cruiser screen near the Naval Base at Kure, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Testolin dove his aircraft with skill and aggressiveness in a closely coordinated dive bombing attack on this force, his determination and able airmanship contributing vitally to the damage scored on the battleship by repeated direct hits and near misses. His attack was driven home in the face of extremely intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the battleship, its nine screening destroyers and cruisers and from surrounding shore batteries. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

General Orders Serial 0592, Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific (July 4, 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20) (Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20))

Citation:
"For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY TWO, attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the East China Sea, March 24, 1945. After locating au enemy convoy of merchant ships, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Testolin delivered a masthead attack against a torpedo boat and scored two near misses. In addition, he made strafing runs on a merchant vessel which ultimately sank and, by employing a wing camera which he had developed, obtained excellent photographs of the damage inflicted on the convoy. His skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the UIlited States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20) (Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20))

Citation:
"For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Dive Bomber in Air Group EIGHTY TWO, attacded to the U.S.S BENNINGTON, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Tokyo, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Kyushu, Japan, from February 16 to April 28, 1945. Completing his twentieth mission during tbis period, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Testolin contributed materially to the success of his squadron and to the infliction of damage on enemy shipping, airfields and installations. His courage and devotion to duty in tbe face of hostile antiaircraft fire were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Second DFC received in the form of a gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20) (Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20))

Citation:
''For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Dive-Bomber Plane in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY TWO, attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON, during operations against enemy Japanese instaIIations on Iwo Jima. and Chichi Jima. and enemy shipping near Miyako Jima from February 18 to March 2, 1945. Completing his fifth mission during this period, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Testolin contributed materially to the success of his squadron despite adverse weather conditions and intense antiaircraft fire. His skilIed airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the higheet traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20) (Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20))

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY TWO, attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Kyushu and Okinawa, from March 18 to 28, 1945. Participating in five
strikes during this period, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Testolin braved antiaircraft fire to press home determined attacks which contributed materially to the infliction of damage on hostile installations and shipping. His skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. "

Second Air Medal received in the form of golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20) (Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20))

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGTY TWO, attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa from April 1 to 15, 1945. Skillfully executing attacks on hostile installations in the face of antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Testolin contributed materially to the infliction of damage on the enemy by his squadron. His airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United states Naval Servioe."

Third Air Medal received in the form of a second golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20) (Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82), U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20))

Citation:
"'For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as a Pilot of a Dive Bombing Plane, attached to Bombing Squadron EIGHTY TWO, during operationa against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Japanese Homeland from May 13 to 29, 1945. Flying on his twentyfifth combat mission on May 28, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Testolin strafed and bombed pillboxes and caves on Okinawa, providing close support for ground troops and contributing to the success of the operation. Completing a total of five strikes against enemy shipping, airfields and installations during thie period, he contributed materially to the infliction of extensive damage on the enemy. His skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Fourth Air Medal received in the form of a third golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

• Photo 1: Andrew King
• - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
  - Citations NC, DFC (2), AM (4)
  - Naval Aviator Certificate
  - Military Times Hall of Valor