[Ralph H. Wandrey oral history interview]

Fighter ace Ralph H. Wandrey discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the Pacific Theater with the 9th Fighter Squadron. Special focus on a bomber escort mission to Gusap Airfield (Papua New Guinea) on March 19, 1944. While returning from the mission, Wandrey encountered a group of Japanese Zero aircraft flying in show formation and was able to launch a surprise attack on them. In 1986, he had the opportunity to research this encounter at the Imperial War Museum in Japan.

Ralph H. Wandrey was born on November 15, 1921 in Mason City, Iowa. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1941 and graduated from flight training in August of the following year. Deployed to the South Pacific Theater, Wandrey served with the 9th Fighter Squadron in Papua New Guinea. During his combat tour, he often flew as wingman to fellow fighter ace Richard I. “Dick” Bong. In 1944, he returned to the United States and served at Training Command Headquarters as a flying safety officer. Wandrey medically retired from the military in 1947 and spent several years being treated for renal tuberculosis. During this time, he published his autobiography, Fighter Pilot. After his recovery, he worked for several railroad companies until his retirement in 1976.