[Loren D. Everton oral history interview]

Fighter ace Loren D. “Doc” Everton is interviewed by Eugene A. Valencia about his military service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Everton describes his wartime experiences as a military pilot, including his time stationed on Midway with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 2 (VMB-2, later renamed VMSB-232) and in the South and Central Pacific with Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) and Marine Fighting Squadron 113 (VMF-113). Topics discussed include Everton’s personal background and training history; his participation in the Battle of Midway; and his missions in Guadalcanal, Ponape, and other areas of the Pacific Theater.

Loren D. “Doc” Everton was born on July 14, 1915 in Crofton, Nebraska. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1939 and was designated a Naval Aviator the following year. Everton first served with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 2 (VMB-2, later renamed VMSB-232) at Midway, then with Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) in the South Pacific. In 1943, he took command of Marine Fighting Squadron 113 (VMF-113). Everton remained in the military after the war, serving with Marine Fighting Squadron 122 (VMF-122) and as Commander, Carrier Division 7 in the Western Pacific. He also held a number of other command and staff positions in the United States and the Far East. Everton retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1967 and passed away in 1991.

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