[Marion E. Carl oral history interview]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_024SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeCarl, Marion E.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Marion E. Carl, circa 1960s.

Text on label: "Marion Carl, Frank Lewis. 012. Gen. Marion Carl. Col. Gailer, USAF (damn good). Col. Gordy Graham."AbstractFighter ace Marion E. Carl 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 221 (VMF-221) and Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223). Topics discussed include his personal background, his combat missions on Midway and Guadalcanal, and his thoughts on various aircraft. He also touches briefly on his postwar military career.BiographyMarion E. Carl was born on November 1, 1915 in Hubbard, Oregon. Graduating from Oregon State University in 1938 with a degree in aeronautical engineering, he served briefly with the United States Army Corps of Engineers before resigning his commission to join the United States Marine Corps. In 1942, Carl was one of the few pilots of Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221) to survive the Battle of Midway. Afterwards, he was deployed with Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) to Guadalcanal, where he became the first Marine fighter ace. Carl remained in the military after World War II, serving as a Navy test pilot for various jet aircraft and commanding the 2nd Marine Air Wing during the Vietnam War. Carl retired as a major general in 1973. In 1998, he was killed in his home in Oregon while defending his wife from a robber.

Biographical information courtesy of: Boyce, Ward J., ed., American fighter aces album. Mesa, Ariz: American Fighter Aces Association, 1996.Creation Datecirca 1960sSubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryFighter pilotsMidway, Battle of, 1942United States. Marine CorpsWorld War, 1939-1945Carl, Marion E., 1915-United States. Marine Fighting Squadron 221United States. Marine Fighting Squadron 223Grumman F4F-4 WildcatMitsubishi A6M Reisen (Zero Fighter) Zeke (Ben, Ray) FamilyVought F4U-1 CorsairPlaceGuadalcanal (Solomon Islands)Midway IslandsSolomon IslandsExtent1 sound reel (13 min., 37 sec.) : analog ; 1/4 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)open reel audiotapesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscription[Marion E. Carl oral history interview]

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[Marion E. Carl oral history interview]