[Charles W. Drake oral history interview]


AFAA interview with Charles W. Drake, Tape 1 of 1
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[Charles W. Drake oral history interview]
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Title

[Charles W. Drake oral history interview]

Description

Fighter ace Charles W. Drake discusses his military service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the Pacific Theater with Marine Fighting Squadron 323 (VMF-323). Special focus on a combat mission on June 3, 1945 in which Drake scored several aerial victories and received the Navy Cross for his actions. He also mentions another combat mission in which he rescued a destroyer from an attacking Japanese plane and received the Air Medal.

Date

1980s-1990s circa

Extent

1 sound cassette (10 min. 55 sec.) : analog ; 4 x 2.5 in

Language

English

Rights

In copyright

Bibliographic Citation

The American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews/The Museum of Flight

Identifier

2002-02-13_AV_059_01
2002-02-13_AV_059_01_transcription

Interviewee

Drake, Charles W.

Biographical Text

Charles W. Drake was born on April 14, 1923 in Maplewood, New Jersey. He entered the V-5 Aviation Cadet Training Program in 1942 and received his commission with the United States Marine Corps the following year. During World War II, Drake served with Marine Fighting Squadron 323 (VMF-323) in Okinawa, operating out of Kadena Airfield. He left the military after the war and had several careers in the warehousing, transportation, and publishing industries. Drake passed away in 2000.

Note

This recording is presented in its original, unedited form. Please note that some interviews in this collection may contain adult language, racial slurs, and/or graphic descriptions of wartime violence.