Scope and Contents

Fighter ace Edward F. Rector discusses his military service during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his flight training with the United States Navy and his time in the China-Burma-India Theater with the American Volunteer Group. Topics discussed include his personal background, his training and service history, notable encounters with Japanese forces, and stories about fellow servicemen.

Scope and Contents Fighter ace Joseph J. Foss 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 121 (VMF-121) in the Pacific Theater. Topics discussed include Foss’s first encounter with Japanese forces in October 1943 and a combat mission in November 1942 in which Foss was shot down and rescued by missionaries.The interview is conducted by...

Scope and Contents This three-part recording contains highlights from a goodwill meeting between the American Fighter Aces Association and the Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association, held in May 1961 in Germany. In part one, the narrator summarizes the event, introduces members of the American and German delegations, and describes notable moments during the visit. In parts two and three, the narrator presents excerpts from conversations between the American and German delegations and continues to describe...

Scope and Contents This recording contains one-on-one interviews with fighter aces Oscar I. Chenoweth and Hamilton McWhorter and with historian Adrian O. Van Wyen. Chenoweth and McWhorter discuss their military service with the United States Navy during World War II, including their time with Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17) and Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9), respectively. Topics discussed include memorable combat missions, aerial victories, and current developments in aerial combat. Van Wyen shares some background...

Scope and Contents

Radio program, "Women in the Air Age," produced by the Continental Air Defense Command, circa 1957. The program examines the role women play as “mothers” of America’s air power. Segments include a biography of Susan Koerner Wright, mother of the Wright brothers, and an interview with Mrs. Garrison, mother of fighter ace Vermont Garrison. Much of the program is hosted by radio personality Delvina Wheeldon, credited as the first woman passenger to fly faster than the speed of sound.

Scope and Contents In this five-part oral history, fighter ace Robert M. DeHaven is interviewed about his military service with the United States Army Air Forces. In part one, DeHaven describes his experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the South Pacific with the 7th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group during World War II. He also touches on his postwar involvement with the Bendix Trophy aeronautical races. Other topics discussed include DeHaven’s early interest in aviation, his training...

Scope and Contents Fighter ace Edward M. “Teddy” Donaldson is interviewed about his military service with the Royal Air Force during World War II. He describes his experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time stationed in England and France with No. 151 Squadron and his time in the United States as a gunnery instructor. Topics discussed include his involvement in the Battle of Britain and Dunkirk Campaign and his gunnery instruction in the United States. He also describes a bomber escort mission in June...

Scope and Contents Fighter ace Loren D. “Doc” Everton is interviewed by Eugene A. Valencia about his military service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Everton describes his wartime experiences as a military pilot, including his time stationed on Midway with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 2 (VMB-2, later renamed VMSB-232) and in the South and Central Pacific with Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) and Marine Fighting Squadron 113 (VMF-113). Topics discussed include Everton’s personal...

Scope and Contents 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 parts one and two, 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 combat missions during Operation Torch (November...

Scope and Contents In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Frank L. Gailer, Jr. discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. In part one, he describes his experiences as a fighter pilot and his time with the 353rd Fighter Squadron in England during World War II. In part two, he continues to describe his World War II experiences and also touches on his postwar assignments with the Pentagon. Topics discussed include his personal background and training...