[Charles M. Kunz oral history interview]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_106Parts2002-02-13-1139_AV_106_01SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeKunz, Charles M.InterviewerValencia, Eugene A.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Charlie M. Kunz, conducted by interviewer Eugene A. Valencia at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, June 28, 1965.

Text on label: "Col. Kunz, USMC. Midway/Guadalcanal. June 28, 65 - El Toro."AbstractFighter ace Charlie M. Kunz is interviewed about 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 with Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221) and Marine Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224) in the Pacific Theater. Topics discussed include his training and service history, his participation in the Battle of Midway in June 1942, and his time stationed at Henderson Field in Guadalcanal.

The interview is conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. Audio may be difficult to hear in some spots due to background noise from passing airplanes.BiographyCharles M. Kunz was born on November 7, 1919 in Dixon, Missouri. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1941 and graduated from Naval flight training in September of that year. Initially assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221), Kunz participated in the Battle of Midway in June 1942, then joined the newly formed Marine Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224) for the Guadalcanal Campaign. In 1944, he took command of Marine Fighting Squadron 311 (VMF-311), flying missions in the Marshall Islands and Okinawa. Kunz remained in the military after World War II and served in a number of command positions, including commanding Marine Fighter Squadron 323 (VMF-323) during the Korean War. He retired as a colonel in 1967 and passed away in 1999.Creation Date1965-06-28SubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryBrewster F2A Buffalo SeriesFighter pilotsGrumman F4F Wildcat FamilyKunz, Charles M.Midway, Battle of, 1942United States. Marine CorpsUnited States. Marine Fighting Squadron 221United States. Marine Fighting Squadron 224World War, 1939-1945PlaceGuadalcanal (Solomon Islands)Midway IslandsSolomon IslandsExtent1 sound reel (36 min., 34 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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[Charles M. Kunz oral history interview]