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[Armistead B. Smith, Jr. oral history interview]
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.
[Joseph J. Foss, Earling W. Zaeske, Daniel G. Cunningham, and Frank L. Lawlor oral history interviews]
This recording contains one-on-one interviews with fighter aces Joseph J. Foss, Earling W. Zaeske, Daniel G. Cunningham, and Frank L. Lawlor. The interviewees discuss their wartime experiences as fighter pilots and share details about their naval aviation careers during World War II. Topics discussed include notable combat missions, aerial victories, and stories about fellow pilots. The interviews…
[Alexander Vraciu oral history interview (Part 2 of 2)]
In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Alexander Vraciu is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. In part two, he continues to describe his wartime experiences as a naval aviator and also shares stories about his personal life. Topics discussed his training and service history, his college years at DePauw University (Indiana), notable combat…
[John T. Crosby oral history interview]
Fighter ace John T. “Ted” Crosby is interviewed by historian Eric M. Hammel about his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. Crosby describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot and his time in the Pacific Theater with Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) and Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17). He also touches briefly on his postwar military career. Special focus on a photo…
[Elbert Scott McCuskey oral history interview]
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…
[Alexander Vraciu oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]
In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Alexander Vraciu is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a naval aviator, including his time with Fighting Squadron 3/6 (VF-3/VF-6) and other units in the Pacific Theater. Topics discussed include his personal background, his tours of duty aboard the…
[Donald Gordon oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]
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 K. Blair oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]
In this two-part oral history, fighter ace William K. Blair is interviewed by Eugene A. Valencia about his military service with the United States Navy. In part one, Blair describes his experiences as a carrier-based fighter pilot, including his assignments with Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) and Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2) during World War II. Topics discussed include his flight training; his time…
[American and German fighter pilots (Part 2 of 2)]
This two-part recording contains conversations between German and American fighter pilots regarding their military service during World War II. The conversations took place during a goodwill meeting between the American Fighter Aces Association and the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association that was held in Germany in May 1961. Excerpts from these recordings were later used in a highlight reel…
[Albert C. Slack oral history interview (Part 2 of 2)]
In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Albert C. Slack discusses his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. In part two, he provides clarifying details regarding his wartime experiences and the combat missions discussed in the previous interview. Special focus on his participation in the Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 19, 1944 and on an attack against a…