Solr Search · The Museum of Flight

[Richard L. Cormier oral history interview (Part 1 of 3)] (Item)

In this three-part oral history, fighter ace Richard L. “Zeke” Cormier is interviewed by Eugene A. Valencia about his military service with the United States Navy. In part one, Cormier describes his experiences as a carrier-based pilot during World War II, including his assignments with Composite Squadron 1 (VC-1) in the North Atlantic and with Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80) in the Pacific Theater.…

[Leonard K. Davis oral history interview] (Item)

Fighter ace Leonard K. “Duke” Davis is interviewed by Eugene A. Valencia about his military service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Davis describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot and his time with Marine Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121) in the Pacific Theater. Topics discussed include Davis’s combat missions, military life and conditions in Guadalcanal, and…

[Damaged propeller on Grumman F4F Wildcat aircraft] (Item)

Photograph of a damaged propeller on a Grumman F4F Wildcat aircraft, likely in Guadalcanal, April 1943. The aircraft's designation ("Geisha Girl") is painted on the nose.Included caption: "VMF 214. Two planes hit after fight on the first of April 1943. Grumans [Grumman] F4F's."

[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."

[Paul S. Bechtel oral history interview (Part 2 of 2)] (Item)

Audio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Paul S. Bechtel, circa 1980s-1990s. Microcassette 2 of 2. Abstract from transcript: In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Paul S. Bechtel discusses his military service with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. In part two, he provides clarifying details about the combat mission over Munda Airfield discussed in part one. Bechtel…

[Mayo A. "Mike" Hadden, Jr. oral history interview (Part 4 of 4)] (Item)

In this four-part oral history, fighter ace Mayo A. “Mike” Hadden, Jr. discusses his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. Part four contains excerpts from Hadden’s collection of episodes of "The Front Line," a radio program that aired on WBBM in Chicago during the war. The excerpts, which were recorded circa 1942-1943, feature interviews with Fighting 9 (VF-9) members…

[Jack E. Conger oral history interview] (Item)

Fighter ace Jack E. Conger discusses his military service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He describes his experiences as a fighter pilot and his time in Guadalcanal with Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) and Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223). Topics discussed include his flight training, military life and conditions in the Pacific Islands, and various combat…

[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.

[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…

[Marvin J. Franger oral history interview (Part 1 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 one, he describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot and his time with Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9) in the Mediterranean Theater. Topics discussed include Franger’s training history, his time stationed aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4), and his…

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