Operational for the first time on June 4, 1942, in the midst of the Battle of Midway, the Grumman Avenger can scarcely be said to have opened its active career auspiciously.  Of the six TBF-1s launched into battle from Midway early that morning, five failed to return; the sixth came back with only the trim tab for longitudinal control, with one wheel and the torpedo-bay doors hanging open and with one gunner dead and the other wounded.  Despite this sad beginning, the Avenger was destined to become the Navy's standard torpedo-bomber throughout World War II and to remain in operational Fleet service in a variety of roles until 1954.   
(source: United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 by Gordon Swanborough and Peter Bowers)

Perhaps the most famous Avenger pilot during the war was future President of the United States George H.W. Bush. In September 1944 while flying from the light carrier San Jacinto (CVL 30) on a bombing mission against a Japanese radio station on Chichi Jima, Bush's aircraft was severely damaged by antiaircraft fire. Despite a flaming engine, he continued his dive to score a direct hit before being forced to bail out over water. He was picked up by a submarine and subsequently returned to his squadron to fly additional combat missions. Both of his crewmen failed to survive.
(source: http://naval.aviation.museum/)