[Henry K. Champion, James B. French, and Clinton L. Smith oral history interview]

Fighter aces Henry K. Champion, James B. French, and Clinton L. Smith are interviewed about their military service with the United States Navy during World War II. They describe their wartime experience as fighter pilots with Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9) and share stories about memorable combat missions.

The interview is conducted by fellow VF-9 ace Eugene A. Valencia.

Henry K. Champion was born on November 26, 1921 in Belzoni, Mississippi. He joined the United States Navy in 1942 and graduated from flight training the following year. In 1944, Champion joined Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9) aboard the USS Essex (CV-9), flying carrier-based missions against the Japanese home islands. He also served with the squadron during their subsequent tours aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16) and USS Yorktown (CV-10). Champion left the military after World War II but returned to active duty during the Korean War, serving with Fighter Squadron 791 (VF-791). In his civilian life, Champion worked as an accountant until his retirement in 1989. He passed away in 1994.

James B. French was born on February 15, 1922 in Akron, Ohio. He joined the United States Navy in 1942 and graduated from flight training the following year. A member of Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9), French served as a section leader in his division and participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He left the military after World War II and became a distributor for Grumman G-164 Ag-Cat crop dusters. Later, he formed an air tanker company for suppressing forest fires. French passed away in 1996.

Clinton L. Smith was born on June 30, 1921 in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He joined the United States Navy in July 1942 and was designated a Naval Aviator in October of that year. After an initial assignment with Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17), Smith joined Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9) and flew as Tail-End Charlie to Eugene A. Valencia’s “Mowing Machine” division. He left the military after World War II and operated an auto repair business until his retirement in 1986. Smith passed away in 1992.

Biographical information courtesy of: Boyce, Ward J., ed., American fighter aces album. Mesa, Ariz: American Fighter Aces Association, 1996.