Scope and Contents 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 USS Independence (CVL-22), USS Lexington (CV-16), and other carriers, his experiences in the...

Scope and Contents In this four-part oral history, fighter ace Ralph J. “Doc” Watson discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time with the 48th and 5th Fighter Squadrons in the European and Mediterranean Theaters. Topics discussed include his personal background, his training and service history, notable combat missions, and stories about fellow servicemen. In part...

Scope and Contents In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Jimmie E. “Doc” Savage 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, including his time in the Pacific Theater with Fighting Squadron 11 (VF-11). In part two, he continues to describe his experiences with VF-11 and also touches briefly on his postwar assignments. Topics discussed include his personal background, his service and training history,...

Scope and Contents In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Jacques M. Swaab is interviewed about his military service with the United States Army Air Service during World War I. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in Europe with the 22nd Pursuit Squadron. Topics discussed include his personal background, his training and service history, notable incidents from his service, and the logistics of military aviation during the war. The interview is conducted by fellow...

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Stunt pilot and aviation historian Frank G. Tallman is interviewed about his collection of vintage aircraft and his work with Tallmantz Aviation. He describes his experiences restoring and flying historic warbirds and discusses the characteristics of various aircraft. Topics discussed include the capabilities of World War I-era aircraft, his thoughts on specific vintage airplanes, and his restoration efforts.

The interview is conducted by fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia.

Scope and Contents Fighter ace John S. “Jimmy” Thach is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time as gunnery officer and skipper of Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3). Topics discussed include his training and service history, his development of the Thach Weave aerial combat maneuver, and his initial encounters with Japanese aircraft.The interview is conducted by fellow fighter ace...

Scope and Contents In this two-part oral history, Harrison R. “Harry” Thyng discusses his military career with the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. In part one, he focuses on his service in the European and Mediterranean Theaters during World War II. Topics discussed include humorous moments from his flight training, his initial combat missions with the 31st Fighter Group while stationed in England, and his participation in the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942....

Scope and Contents In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Reade F. Tilley discusses his military service with the Royal Air Force during World War II. In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the European and Mediterranean Theaters with No. 121 Squadron and No. 601 Squadron. Topics discussed include his initial attempts to become a volunteer pilot during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the Russo-Finnish War (1939-1940), his enlistment and training...

Scope and Contents In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Stanley W. “Swede” Vejtasa discusses 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 Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5) aboard the Yorktown (CV-10) and with Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). Topics discussed include his training and service history, his participation in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the...