The interviews are conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia during a Naval Aviators’ reunion at Pensacola, Florida, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Naval aviation.
]]>This recording contains one-on-one interviews with fighter aces Oscar I. Chenoweth and Hamilton McWhorter and with historian Adrian O. Van Wyen. Chenoweth and McWhorter discuss their military service with the United States Navy during World War II, including their time with Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17) and Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9), respectively. Topics discussed include memorable combat missions, aerial victories, and current developments in aerial combat. Van Wyen shares some background about the early years of Naval aviation in the United States and discusses the career of World War I fighter ace David S. Ingalls, considered to be the Navy’s first ace.
The interviews are conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia during a Naval Aviators’ reunion at Pensacola, Florida, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Naval aviation.
Oscar I. Chenoweth was born July 17, 1917 in Salem, Oregon. He joined the United States Navy in 1939 and graduated from flight training in 1941. After his initial assignment as a flight instructor, he went on to serve with a number of squadrons, including Composite Squadron 21 (VC-21) in the Aleutian Islands, Fighting Squadron 38 (VF-38) in the Solomon Islands, and Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17) in the South Pacific. Chenoweth remained in the military after the war and retired as a commander in 1954. In his civilian life, he worked for Chance Vought and as a manufacturing representative for a food service company. He passed away in 1968.
Hamilton McWhorter was born on February 8, 1921 in Athens, Georgia. He joined the United States Navy in 1941 and graduated from flight training the following year. McWhorter served with Fighting Squadron (VF-9) aboard the USS Ranger during the North Africa invasion and then aboard the USS Essex in the Pacific Theater. In 1944, he joined Fighting Squadron 12 (VF-12) aboard the USS Randolph and participated in the initial strikes against Tokyo and in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa landings. McWhorter remained in the military after the war, serving aboard several carriers and commanding VF-12. He retired in 1969 as a commander and passed away in 2008.
Adrian O. Van Wyen was an aviation historian who worked for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. He wrote a number of books about the history of Naval aviation in the United States.
Biographical information courtesy of: Boyce, Ward J., ed., American fighter aces album. Mesa, Ariz: American Fighter Aces Association, 1996
In this two-part oral history, fighter ace William K. Blair is interviewed by Eugene A. Valencia about his military service with the United States Navy. In part one, Blair describes his experiences as a carrier-based fighter pilot, including his assignments with Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) and Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2) during World War II. Topics discussed include his flight training; his time aboard the USS Saratoga, USS Long Island, USS Hornet, and USS Enterprise; and his participation in various battles, including the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (October 1942) and the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 1944).
William K. Blair was born on April 18, 1916 in Toledo, Ohio. He joined the United States Navy in 1940 and graduated from flight training in 1942. Blair served two combat tours in the Pacific Theater, one with Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) and one with Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2). During this time, Blair served aboard a number of carriers, including the USS Saratoga, USS Long Island, USS Hornet, and USS Enterprise. He remained in the military after World War II and retired as a commander in 1957. In his civilian life, he worked as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch.
Biographical information courtesy of: Boyce, Ward J., ed., American fighter aces album. Mesa, Ariz: American Fighter Aces Association, 1996.
The interview is conducted by an unidentified interviewer, referred to as “Bob,” who may be a fellow fighter ace.
]]>Fighter ace Edward M. “Teddy” Donaldson is interviewed about his military service with the Royal Air Force during World War II. He describes his experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time stationed in England and France with No. 151 Squadron and his time in the United States as a gunnery instructor. Topics discussed include his involvement in the Battle of Britain and Dunkirk Campaign and his gunnery instruction in the United States. He also describes a bomber escort mission in June 1940 in which he was shot down by German ace Adolf Galland.
The interview is conducted by an unidentified interviewer, referred to as “Bob,” who may be a fellow fighter ace.
Edward M. “Teddy” Donaldson was born on February 12, 1912 in British Malaysia. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1931 and was initially assigned to No. 3 Squadron, where he distinguished himself as a marksman and skilled aerobatic pilot. In 1938, Donaldson was appointed Commander of No. 151 Squadron and led the squadron during the early campaigns of World War II, including the Battle of Britain and Battle of Dunkirk. He also helped establish several gunnery schools in the United States. Donaldson remained in the military after the war and served in a number of command positions, including at RAF Fassberg and RAF Wunstorf in Germany and as Deputy Commander of Air Forces in the Arabian Peninsula. He retired in 1961 and passed away in 1992.
Some sections of audio are heavily affected by static and distortion, which obscures much of Rossi’s dialogue. These sections are noted in the transcript.
]]>In this six-part oral history, fighter ace John Richard Rossi discusses his military service with the American Volunteer Group during World War II. In part five, he discusses his wartime experiences with the AVG’s 1st Pursuit Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theater. He provides an overview of the group’s movements and missions, beginning with his arrival in Burma in November 1941 and concluding with the group’s disbandment in July 1942. He also touches on his personal history and his post-AVG career with the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) and other airlines.
Some sections of audio are heavily affected by static and distortion, which obscures much of Rossi’s dialogue. These sections are noted in the transcript.
John Richard Rossi was born on April 19, 1915 in Placerville, California. After a tour with the Merchant Marine, he joined the United States Navy Reserve and graduated from flight training in 1940. The following year, Rossi resigned his commission in order to join the newly formed American Volunteer Group in Burma. He served with the AVG’s 1st Pursuit Squadron until the group disbanded in 1942, then joined the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) as a transport pilot. By the end of the war, he had flown over 700 trips across the “Hump” between India and China. Rossi remained in China after the end of World War II, flying for Civil Air Transport and the Central Aviation Transport Corporation. In 1948, he returned to the United States and joined the Flying Tiger Line. He also served as president of the American Volunteer Group/Flying Tigers Association. Rossi retired in 1973 and passed away in 2008.
Engraved on base: "Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University / 1926 / Silver Eagles."
Engraved on plate: "Moya Lear / Board of Directors."
]]>Plaque given to Moya Olsen Lear by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, circa 1980s. Wood base is engraved with university mascot and start date and includes a metal mount, possibly for a pen. An engraved metal plate has been placed on the right side and covers a small inset rectangle in the base.
Engraved on base: "Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University / 1926 / Silver Eagles."
Engraved on plate: "Moya Lear / Board of Directors."
Driver's license issued by the state of Florida to Kenneth D. Wallace, August 18, 1945.
Text for top medal: "Tony Jannus Award – 1974 / Pendant Medallion / Awarded to William Powell Lear / In Recognition of / Outstanding Contribution of / The Scheduled Airline Industry."
Text for bottom medals: "Tony Jannus Medallions / by Ruth Hook, Sculptress / which accompanied the Tony Jannus Award / to William Powell Lear / Commemorating the Golden Anniversary / of the World's First Scheduled Airline Service / Between St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida / Obverse: Benoist Airboat and Propeller / Legend: 1914-1964 World's First Scheduled Airline Service / Reverse: Tony Jannus in Benoist Airboat, Propellers each side / Legends: St. Petersburg-Tampa / Tony Jannus, Pilot / First passengers, Jan. 1, 1914 / First Air Express, Jan. 12, 1914."
]]>Framed Tony Jannus award medallion given to William P. Lear, 1974. Also included are two additional Tony Jannus medallions commemorating the Golden Anniversary of the World's First Scheduled Airline Service between St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida, 1964. Metal and wire hardware for hanging is present on reverse.
Text for top medal: "Tony Jannus Award – 1974 / Pendant Medallion / Awarded to William Powell Lear / In Recognition of / Outstanding Contribution of / The Scheduled Airline Industry."
Text for bottom medals: "Tony Jannus Medallions / by Ruth Hook, Sculptress / which accompanied the Tony Jannus Award / to William Powell Lear / Commemorating the Golden Anniversary / of the World's First Scheduled Airline Service / Between St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida / Obverse: Benoist Airboat and Propeller / Legend: 1914-1964 World's First Scheduled Airline Service / Reverse: Tony Jannus in Benoist Airboat, Propellers each side / Legends: St. Petersburg-Tampa / Tony Jannus, Pilot / First passengers, Jan. 1, 1914 / First Air Express, Jan. 12, 1914."
Postcard to Mr. and Mrs. Ed O. Leigh from their son, Frank C. Leigh, postmarked September 13, 1944. Notes that he flew to Pensacola from Naval Air Station Sanford to escape a hurricane. Includes an illustration of a duck wearing a flight helmet and the text "Greetings from Pensacola, Florida, home of the U.S. Air Naval Training Center."
Telegram to Mr. and Mrs. Ed O. Leigh from their son, Frank C. Leigh, December 21, 1943. Notifies them of his change of address to Cecil Field, Florida.
Vietnam War veteran James H. Platt is interviewed about his decade-spanning career with the United States Air Force. He discusses his training and experiences as a military pilot, including his wartime service in Southeast Asia piloting Sikorsky HH-3E helicopters, known as Jolly Green Giants, during air rescue missions. He also describes other notable assignments from his career, such as his support flights at the Eastern Test Range (Florida), his time as a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress commander, and his work at Strategic Air Command (SAC). The interview concludes with a brief overview of Platt’s post-military career with Boeing and his docent work at The Museum of Flight.
James H. Platt is a Vietnam War veteran who served with the United States Air Force from the 1960s to the early 1990s. He was born on February 4, 1942 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. His family eventually relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he attended Central Catholic High School and the University of Portland.
While in college, Platt participated in the school’s ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program and was selected for the Flight Indoctrination Program. He completed fixed-wing flight training at Randolph Air Force Base (Texas) and helicopter training at Stead Air Force Base (Nevada). From 1966 to 1967, he served at Patrick Air Force Base (Florida) as a Sikorsky CH-3 pilot, flying support missions for the Eastern Test Range. Afterwards, he was deployed to Thailand to serve as commander of an Air Rescue team. During his combat tour in Southeast Asia, Platt flew 98 combat missions in the Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant.
On his return to the United States, Platt resumed flying support missions for the Eastern Test Range out of Patrick Air Force Base. He then transitioned from helicopters back to fixed-wing aircraft, flying the Northrop T-38 Talon and Lockheed C-141 Starlifter. Shortly after the Christmas Day Bombing in 1972, Platt was transferred from Travis Air Force Base to Castle Air Force Base (California) to undergo training in the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. He subsequently served as an aircraft commander in Guam.
Platt’s next assignments included serving as Chief of Battle Staff Display at Eighth Air Force Headquarters and SAC (Strategic Air Command) Headquarters, serving as watch officer at EUCOM (United States European Command), and serving as airfield manager at Grand Forks Air Force Base (North Dakota). He also flew the North American T-39 Sabreliner. He retired from the Air Force in 1993 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Following his retirement from the military, Platt earned a master’s degree in aviation business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He was then hired by Boeing and worked in airplane certification. He retired from the company after a ten-year career. As of 2018, Platt was an active member of The Museum of Flight Docent Corps.
Platt married his wife in 1968. They have four children.
Biographical information derived from interview and additional information provided by interviewee.