Solr Search · The Museum of Flight

[Walter E. Clarke oral history interview] (Item)

Fighter ace Walter E. Clarke discusses his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot and his time in Guadalcanal and Okinawa with Fighting Squadron 5 (VF-5). Topics discussed include his combat air patrol missions at Henderson Field (Guadalcanal) and his carrier missions aboard the USS Intrepid.

[Marvin J. Franger oral history interview (Part 2 of 2)] (Item)

In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Marvin J. Franger discusses his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. In part two, he continues to describe his wartime experiences with Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9) and their participation in Operation Torch (November 1942) during the North Africa Campaign. Topics discussed include day-to-day operations aboard the USS Ranger…

[Donald Gordon oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)] (Item)

In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Donald Gordon discusses his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. In part one, he describes his experiences as a fighter pilot and his time with Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) in the Pacific Theater. Topics discussed include his missions in the South Pacific, his aerial victories, and his time stationed aboard the USS Enterprise…

[William B. Freeman oral history interview] (Item)

Fighter ace William B. Freeman 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 with Marine Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121) in the Solomon Islands. Topics discussed include his training history, his combat missions in Guadalcanal, and his aerial victories. Special focus on a mission…

[Grumman F4F Wildcat aircraft flown by fighter ace Joe Foss] (Item)

Photograph of the Grumman F4F Wildcat aircraft flown by fighter ace Joe Foss, March 1943. Imperial Japanese flags representing Foss's aerial victories are painted near the cockpit.Inscription on verso: "Grumman F4F flown by Joe Foss in Bone Yard, March 19433."Included caption: "This Gruman [Grumman] was flown by Joe Foss. I took the picture in the 'Bone Yard' in March of 1943."

[John L. Smith oral history interview] (Item)

Fighter ace John L. Smith 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 with Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VFM-223) in the Pacific Theater. Topics discussed include his training and service history, squadron operations at Guadalcanal, and notable combat missions and aerial…

[Armistead B. Smith, Jr. oral history interview] (Item)

Fighter ace Armistead B. Smith, Jr. discusses his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time with Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9) in the Mediterranean and Pacific Theaters. Topics discussed include the comradery of VF-9 and a combat mission to Truk Lagoon.

[Elbert Scott McCuskey oral history interview] (Item)

Fighter ace Elbert Scott McCuskey is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. He describes his experiences as a military pilot, including his time stationed in the North Atlantic aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4) and his time in the Pacific Theater with Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42), Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3), and Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8). Special focus…

[Charles M. Kunz oral history interview] (Item)

Fighter 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…

[John W. Topliff oral history interview, via George N. Kirk] (Item)

This recording contains a humorous wartime story from fighter ace John W. Topliff, which he told to attendees at the 38th anniversary celebration for Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8) in 1981. The story focuses on an incident from Topliff’s time as a replacement pilot with Fighting Squadron 26 (VF-26), prior to his assignment to VF-8 in 1943. While returning from a mission, he became separated from his…

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