Malcolm T. Wordell Fighter Ace Collection

Collection

Identifier: 2002-02-13-1144

This small collection relates to fighter pilot and ace Malcolm T. Wordell, who served in the United States Navy during World War II. It includes photographs of aircraft in flight and military personnel, including a squadron group portrait.

Dates

circa 1939-1940s

Creator

Wordell, M.T. (Malcolm Taber), 1911-1996 (Person)

Language of Materials

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research but has not been fully processed. Access to the collection may be limited or may require additional processing time. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Extent

0.05 Cubic Feet (2 folders)

Additional Description

Biographical Note: Malcolm T. Wordell

Malcolm Taber Wordell (1911-1996) was a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and ace during World War II.

Malcolm Taber Wordell was born on May 22, 1911 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts to Martin and Alice (White) Wordell. He graduated from New Bedford High School in 1928, and entered the Navy at age 17. Two years later he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, graduting in the Class of 1935. Wordell was a fighter pilot, earning ace status and is credited with seven aerial victories. During World War II, he was captured in Morocco and later freed by French forces. He documented his experience in the book, Wildcats Over Casablanca. Wordell retired from military service as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Post-war, Wordell was airport manager for the New Bedford Municipal Airport in 1947 and again from 1950 to 1958. He married Ruth (Steinmetz) Packard (1914-2010). Wordell died February 26, 1996 in La Mesa, California.

Source: Collection materials and Ancestry.com

Historical Note: American Fighter Aces Association The American Fighter Aces Association (AFAA) was founded in 1960 to recognize the 1,450 combat pilots that received a special distinction of becoming an ace by destroying five (5) or more hostile aircraft in air-to-air combat. This includes aces in both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam. The AFAA lists its objectives and purposes as "to preserve and promote the distinguished heritage of the American combat fighter Ace; to preserve the spirit of loyalty, fellowship and responsibility that motivates Fighter Aces; to support the understanding of and demand for sound, progressive aerospace weapons systems which will guarantee the security and peace of the United States; to encourage and stimulate young men and women to enter the aerospace field; and to sponsor educational programs designed to increase and broaden public knowledge of aerospace technology." The AFAA sponsors an academic scholarship fund for youths who are primarily descendants of American Fighter Aces and fosters youth programs encouraging patriotism. Additional programs include award programs, such as the annual presentation of the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship Award at the United States Air Force Academy and for outstanding fighter pilot "lead-in" trainee graduates from the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. The AFAA is affliated with The Museum of Flight (TMOF), the proud home of the AFAA.

Source and Further Reading: http://www.americanfighteraces.org/index.html

Custodial History

The Malcolm T. Wordell Fighter Ace Collection is a sub-set of the American Fighter Aces (AFAA) Collection, which came to The Museum of Flight from the Champlin Fighter Museum in Mesa, Arizona when it closed in 2003.