Lieutenant Edward G. Binning, USNR

Edward G. Binning was born on February 6, 1915 in Syracuse, New York. Little is known of his life prior to World War II, other than he listed his home of record as New York City. He flew PBY Catalina patrol bombers for the United States Navy in the Atlantic during the early days of America's involvement in the war.

At 2357 hours on May 26, 1942 in the British West Indies, Binning sighted a German U-boat running on the surface. He immediately attacked with depth charges and the sinking of the submarine was verified in the opinion of the destroyer USS Tarbell (DD-142). This was the first successful night attack by aircraft on an enemy submarine during the war. For his intrepidity and devotion to duty, Edward Binning received the Navy Cross.


From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Edward G. Binning, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Patrol Plane Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VP-31), based at Naval Air Station St. Lucia, British West Indies, while operating over the waters of the Caribbean Area, on 26 May 1942. While conducting a night antisubmarine patrol, Lieutenant Binning located a submarine on the surface and dropped three depth charges on it in two diving attacks. The submarine appeared to settle slowly in the water in a sinking conditions. The conduct of Lieutenant Binning throughout this action, the first night search and attack on enemy craft, reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs' Grave Locator, Edward Garrison Binning died on May 12, 1961 at age 46 and is buried with our Nation's most honored dead in Arlington National Cemetery.