[Jack E. Conger oral history interview]

Fighter ace Jack E. Conger discusses his military service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He describes his experiences as a fighter pilot and his time in Guadalcanal with Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) and Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223). Topics discussed include his flight training, military life and conditions in the Pacific Islands, and various combat missions. Special focus on a combat mission in which Conger bailed out after ramming a Japanese Zero and afterwards helped capture a Japanese pilot.

Jack E. Conger was born on April 6, 1921 in Orient, Iowa. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1941 and graduated with the last class of Marine Aviation Cadets. Conger served two tours of duty in the Pacific Theater during World War II, one with Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) and Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) and one with Marine Fighting Squadron 114 (VMF-114). He remained in the military after the war and retired as a colonel in 1964. Conger passed away in 2006.

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