Outlaw, Edward C. -- oral history interview, circa 1980s-1990s

File — Box: 10

Scope and Contents

Fighter ace Edward C. Outlaw 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 32 (VF-32) in the Pacific Theater. Special focus on a combat mission over Truk Atoll on April 29, 1944 in which Outlaw’s flight encountered a large group of Japanese fighter aircraft. Outlaw downed five enemy aircraft on the mission, and his flight was credited with a total of 21 confirmed aerial victories.

Dates

Creation: circa 1980s-1990s

Creator

From the Collection: American Fighter Aces Association (Organization)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research. Due to preservation concerns, digital copies should be utilized instead of original materials. There is limited access to undigitized content.

Biographical Note: Edward C. Outlaw

Edward C. Outlaw was born on September 29, 1914 in Greenville, North Carolina. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1935 and, after a tour of duty aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35), earned his Naval Aviator designation in 1938. In 1943, following assignments with Scouting Squadron 6 (VS-6) and Escort Scouting Squadron 11 (VGS-11), Outlaw became commanding officer of Fighting Squadron 32 (VF-32). The squadron served aboard the USS Langley (CVL-27) and USS Cabot (CVL-28), flying missions over Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other areas of the Pacific Theater. Remaining in the military after the war, Outlaw went on to hold a number of command and staff positions, including serving as commanding officer of Air Group Six and captain of the USS Duxbury Bay (AVP-38) and USS Intrepid (CV-11). During the Vietnam War, he commanded Carrier Division One and Task Force 77. Outlaw retired as a rear admiral in 1969 and passed away in 1996.