[Oscar I. Chenoweth, Adrian O. Van Wyen, and Hamilton McWhorter oral history interviews]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_005Parts2002-02-13-1139_AV_005_01SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeChenoweth, Oscar I.Van Wyen, Adrian O.McWhorter, Hamilton, III, 1921-2008InterviewerValencia, Eugene A.DescriptionAudio recording of interviews with fighter aces Oscar I. Chenoweth and Hamilton McWhorter and historian Adrian O. Van Wyen, conducted by Eugene A. Valencia during a Naval Aviators’ reunion at Pensacola, Florida, circa 1960s.

Text on label: "Fighter Aces. 063. #1. Fighter Aces. Chenoweth. Van Wyen - CWO Aviation Historian. McWhorter."AbstractThis recording contains one-on-one interviews with fighter aces Oscar I. Chenoweth and Hamilton McWhorter and with historian Adrian O. Van Wyen. Chenoweth and McWhorter discuss their military service with the United States Navy during World War II, including their time with Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17) and Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9), respectively. Topics discussed include memorable combat missions, aerial victories, and current developments in aerial combat. Van Wyen shares some background about the early years of Naval aviation in the United States and discusses the career of World War I fighter ace David S. Ingalls, considered to be the Navy’s first ace.

The interviews are conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia during a Naval Aviators’ reunion at Pensacola, Florida, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Naval aviation.BiographyOscar I. Chenoweth was born July 17, 1917 in Salem, Oregon. He joined the United States Navy in 1939 and graduated from flight training in 1941. After his initial assignment as a flight instructor, he went on to serve with a number of squadrons, including Composite Squadron 21 (VC-21) in the Aleutian Islands, Fighting Squadron 38 (VF-38) in the Solomon Islands, and Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17) in the South Pacific. Chenoweth remained in the military after the war and retired as a commander in 1954. In his civilian life, he worked for Chance Vought and as a manufacturing representative for a food service company. He passed away in 1968.

Hamilton McWhorter was born on February 8, 1921 in Athens, Georgia. He joined the United States Navy in 1941 and graduated from flight training the following year. McWhorter served with Fighting Squadron (VF-9) aboard the USS Ranger during the North Africa invasion and then aboard the USS Essex in the Pacific Theater. In 1944, he joined Fighting Squadron 12 (VF-12) aboard the USS Randolph and participated in the initial strikes against Tokyo and in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa landings. McWhorter remained in the military after the war, serving aboard several carriers and commanding VF-12. He retired in 1969 as a commander and passed away in 2008.

Adrian O. Van Wyen was an aviation historian who worked for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. He wrote a number of books about the history of Naval aviation in the United States.

Biographical information courtesy of: Boyce, Ward J., ed., American fighter aces album. Mesa, Ariz: American Fighter Aces Association, 1996Creation Datecirca 1960sSubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryBlackburn, Tom, 1912-1994Chenoweth, Oscar I.Fighter pilotsGrumman F6F Hellcat FamilyGrumman TBF Avenger FamilyIngalls, David S. (David Sinton), 1899-1985McWhorter, Hamilton, III, 1921-2008Mitsubishi A6M Reisen (Zero Fighter) Zeke (Ben, Ray) FamilyMitsubishi G4M Betty FamilySakai, Saburō, 1916-2000United States. NavyUnited States. Navy. Fighting Squadron 12United States. Navy. Fighting Squadron VF-17United States. Navy. Fighting Squadron VF-9Van Wyen, Adrian O.Vought F4U Corsair FamilyWorld War, 1914-1918World War, 1939-1945PlaceFloridaJapanMarcus Island (Japan)Opa-Locka (Fla.)Papua New GuineaPensacola (Fla.)Rabaul (Papua New Guinea)Solomon IslandsExtent1 sound reel (28 min., 06 sec.) : analog ; 1/4 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)open reel audiotapesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyright

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[Oscar I. Chenoweth, Adrian O. Van Wyen, and Hamilton McWhorter oral history interviews]