[John S. Stewart oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

In this two-part oral history, fighter ace John S. Stewart discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the China-India-Burma Theater with the 76th Fighter Squadron of the 23rd Fighter Group. Topics discussed include his service history, notable combat missions while stationed in China, and his aerial victories.

John S. Stewart was born on September 13, 1919 in Basin, Wyoming. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1941 and graduated from flight training the following year. After serving briefly in the Panama Canal Zone, Stewart joined the China Air Task Force, the successor of the American Volunteer Group. He served with and eventually commanded the 76th Fighter Squadron, flying missions over China, Formosa, and other areas of the China-India-Burma Theater. Stewart remained in the military after the end of World War II and went on to serve as command director of the North American Air Defense Command Combat Center. He retired as a colonel in 1970.