Scope and Contents

Fighter aces Henry K. Champion, James B. French, and Clinton L. Smith are interviewed about their military service with the United States Navy during World War II. They describe their wartime experience as fighter pilots with Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9) and share stories about memorable combat missions.

The interview is conducted by fellow VF-9 ace Eugene A. Valencia.

Scope and Contents Fighter ace Paul E. Drury discusses his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. He focuses in particular on his experiences during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 24, 1944. A member of Fighting Squadron 27 (VF-27) stationed aboard the USS Princeton (CVL-23), Drury was on the ship when it was attacked by a Japanese dive bomber. He describes his escape to the USS Irwin (DD-794), the fleet’s attempts to save the Princeton, and the ultimate...

Scope and Contents Audio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Herschel H. "Herky" Green, January 22, 1992. Microcassette 1 of 1.Abstract from transcript: Fighter ace Herschel H. "Herky" Green discusses his military service with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot and his time with the 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, in the Mediterranean Theater. Particular focus is given to a bomber escort mission to Cagliari,...