[Alexander Vraciu oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Alexander Vraciu is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a naval aviator, including his time with Fighting Squadron 3/6 (VF-3/VF-6) and other units in the Pacific Theater. Topics discussed include his personal background, his tours of duty aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22), USS Lexington (CV-16), and other carriers, his experiences in the Philippines with a band of guerrilla fighters, and his memories of fellow servicemen.

The interview is conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia and by John Florea, a former war correspondent for Life Magazine. Vraciu’s wife, Kathryn “Kay” Vraciu, also participates in the interview. Audio is difficult to hear in some spots due to background noise, uneven volume levels, and overlapping voices.

Alexander Vraciu was born on November 2, 1918 in East Chicago, Indiana. He joined the United States Navy in 1941 and graduated from flight training the following year. Assigned to Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3, later re-designated VF-6), Vraciu participated in air combats over Wake Island, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, and Truk Lagoon. In 1944, he joined Fighting Squadron 16 (VF-16) aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Vraciu scored six aerial victories in eight minutes, despite being hindered by a malfunctioning supercharger. After a brief return to the U.S., he joined Fighting Squadron (VF-20) for another combat tour. On December 14, 1944, Vraciu was shot down by antiaircraft fire during a strafing mission in the Philippines. He was rescued by Filipino resistance fighters and spent over a month with a guerilla unit before returning to U.S. forces. He then returned to the United States and spent the remainder of the war as a test pilot at Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Maryland).

After the end of World War II, Vraciu continued to serve as a test pilot and helped to establish the post-war Air Reserve program for the Navy and Marine Corps. From 1956-1958, he commanded Fighter Squadron 51 (VF-51). During this time, he won the individual gunnery championship during the Navy’s annual weapons meet. Other assignments included serving as a jet training officer at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station (California) and as publication information officer at Alameda Naval Air Station (California). Vraciu retired as a commander in 1964 and passed away in 2015.