433:
airborne when VF-31 began to take flight. Nooy's division was vectored to investigate radar contacts 50 miles out—what turned out to be almost a dozen Judy dive bombers headed for reprisal against
American carriers. Nooy was the first to see the bandits. Tallyhoing his group, Nooy led the way in from above. It was not to be a long, running engagement as before. Instead, his .50 caliber guns raked through the first enemy's engine leaving it wreathed in flames. Nooy continued to fight vertically, climbing and diving three more times on three separate enemy aircraft. On the second and third runs his quarry smoked and broke ranks, but did not burn. Nooy was determined to finally seal the deal on his fourth pass. He clung to the "Judy" after his first pass, unleashing short bursts that were visibly wrecking the bomber as he chased it lower and lower. It finally caught fire at the wing root and slammed into the water below. Nooy was credited victories against the first and fourth pilots he fought, bringing his total score to three.
386:
on from above. Scales (a VF-31 fighter who had joined up at Point
William) raked one across its belly, but it was not enough to destroy the enemy. It was, however, enough that the interceptors split off and the Hellcats proceeded further into the target zone. Two Zeros were spotted further ahead, this time pursued by the Hellcats. Winston hit one from 8 o'clock causing it to dive off in desperation. Scales did not miss his second chance at a score and quickly finished the wounded bandit off. Winston continued charging, angling for the head Zero—apparently undaunted by his Hellcat's earlier holing. He scored hits in the center mass of the plane and knocked off its left flap. Nooy played vulture this time, pursuing the fleeing Japanese aircraft until his machine guns set it ablaze. The Zero was later seen to crash, giving Nooy his first confirmed kill.
1198:
Navy
Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 21 September 1944. A daring and aggressive airman, Lieutenant Nooy gallantly led his section in a bold fighter sweep against a highly important and enemy-held airfield. Fighting his plane with skill and courage, he succeeded in shooting down five enemy planes with only minor damage to his own plane and later executed a bombing run which resulted in a direct hit on a Japanese hangar. By his superb airmanship, courageous fighting spirit, and unswerving devotion to duty, Lieutenant Nooy contributed substantially to the success of this vital operation, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
1167:
THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy
Japanese Forces in the Pacific War Area, on 4 July 1944. Participating in the initial fighter sweep over the Japanese-controlled Bonin Islands, Lieutenant Nooy fought his plane gallantly against the enemy, dived from an altitude of ten thousand feet to destroy a hostile fighter which was attacking a friendly plane about fifty feet above the coast. During this same action Lieutenant Nooy shot down three other enemy aircraft and probably destroyed a fourth. By his fighting spirit, initiative and courage, Lieutenant Nooy contributed materially to the success of our operations in this area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
722:
852:
494:
damaged without a single loss of squadron personnel. Though he did not score a confirmed kill in June, Nooy played his part in this battle and is mentioned in a 20 June aircraft action report. During his division's CAP assignment, each of the four fighters holed an enemy "Betty" bomber with Wilson leading and probably killing its pilot before the other three took passes on the plane. Nooy's run helped start fires on the plane that were snuffed out by the sea in short order. Over the next few days, further strikes would rain down on Pagan Island before Cabot retired back to
Eniwetok for the remainder of the month.
536:'ed away from the incoming Americans. Nooy fired at the extreme range of his guns while he chased the Zekes down but remarkably scored fatal hits on both of his targets. One enemy pilot bailed out. The other never had a chance. Just as soon as he had climbed back to altitude, Nooy spotted a Hellcat almost at sea level being hotly pursued by an enemy. He once more pushed his plane down, turning pursuer into pursued. He splashed this third Zero of the day with little difficulty. Nooy's fourth and final confirmed kill on the 4th was part of a team effort with a fighter from
918:
31:
893:
902:
800:
863:
1813:
782:
873:
836:
821:
809:
935:
928:
887:
880:
846:
762:
737:
827:
794:
776:
756:
749:
1654:
1230:
carrier-based Navy
Fighter Plane and Strike Leader in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action on 24 July 1945, while deployed over Kure, Japan. Leading his four-plane fighter strike against major units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Nooy braved intense anti-aircraft fire to press home a dive-bombing attack against the
941:
382:
but were jumped en route. Nooy spotted the Zeke nipping at their heels and attempted to alert
Winston, but his radio was out and he didn't sense the danger. Winston only understood the gravity of his situation when tracers whipped past and bullets tore through his wings. The two successfully ran from their tail to the meet up point, Winston's plane still in fighting shape.
2462:
1211:
1179:
1148:
410:. During this assault on Truk, VF-31 flew over the task group as an intercept force, otherwise combing the waves for signs of subs. The fighter squadron was getting fed up with their lot flying predominately CAPs and ASPs: they wanted bomber escort and strike mission assignments typically handed out to the larger aircraft carriers like USS
2474:
493:
between 19—20 June. The outcome would be disastrous for the
Imperial Japanese Navy. Contributing its fair share to breaking the back of Japanese naval aviation, VF-31 claimed 28 destroyed and more probably destroyed or damaged. Up to this point in its tour, VF-31 claimed 113 enemy planes destroyed or
381:
worked well for
Winston and Nooy, who each claimed a probable by knocking an enemy from their section mate's tail on the first exchange. Winston earned a confirmed kill on the second weave. With a lull in the action, Winston and Nooy slipped out towards a predetermined meet-up point at Point William
1197:
The
President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Cornelius Nicholas Nooy, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based
531:
were holding at 15,000 feet above the target area, watching the mayhem unfold below while they waited for retaliation from above. Japanese fighters arrived on the scene fifteen minutes later with a 3,000-foot altitude advantage. Nooy was flying wing on Wallace, the VF-31 strike leader and point man
432:
Nooy's next opportunity arose on 30 March during another CAP sortie in the vicinity of Palau. Unlike at Truk, when the fast carrier force achieved surprise and Japanese air forces could not muster a forceful counter-attack, the enemy knew that the Americans were coming. Japanese planes were already
385:
Once at Point William they met other friendly fliers and put together seven planes for another circuit over the target area. Winston, still at the tip of the spear, now led his men cruising at 8,000 feet, above the clouds and under the bright pacific sun. A first duo of Zeros came at the group head
1166:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Cornelius Nicholas Nooy, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron
544:
pilot went on to maul another enemy together, and Nooy probably destroyed yet another fighter later while he escorted a damaged friendly back to the carriers. Overall, the fighter squadrons from Wasp and Cabot each claimed over a dozen enemies shot down with only a handful of losses between them.
458:
retired to refuel and re-supply in late April. The closing days of the month, along with 1 May, the task group renewed attacks on the previously battered Truk. On 30 April Nooy and Winston dropped bombs on Dublon Island that struck barracks, setting them on fire. VF-31 flew predominately as high
368:
and had the final say as to the position of the divisions. Given the weather that day—with stratus clouds enclosing the target area significantly reducing visibility at low altitude—the air coordinator ordered a last-second change in formation for the Meataxers. Rather than two divisions flying
312:
Nooy enrolled in the US Navy's Aviation Cadet Program on 18 March 1942 and was quickly sent to the Naval Reserve Aviation Base in New Orleans, LA. He earned his wings on 15 January 1943 and was subsequently attached to Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31) "Flying Meataxes", the outfit he'd stick with
1229:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Cornelius Nicholas Nooy, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a
372:
Winston's division flew lowest, where the murk of clouds led to the worst visibility. As a result, Winston, Nooy, Wilson and Hancock shadowed a group of aircraft they expected to escort to the strike zone, only to discover at the last second that they were following on the heels of Japanese
911:
453:
arrived on 21 April, launching strikes north of New Guinea designed to suppress Japanese air power in advance of U.S. Marine landings. After providing support for the operation, largely consisting of CAP/ASP missions over the task group,
476:
Almost the entire month of May was spent either at anchorage in Majuro or in the vicinity, engaging in gunnery practice (in the case of the ship), fighter director operation and other integral aspects of air group command.
2524:
1234:
and score a direct hit, thereby contributing to the final destruction of the hostile vessel. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval
488:
was about to get underway. After the initial phase of operations consisting of fighter sweeps and bomber runs on Saipan, Rota and Guam, the Japanese contested American ambitions in the Marianas, leading to the
1779:
527:
strafed airstrips and barracks in an attempt to nullify any possible aerial counterattack, also silencing anti-aircraft fire for the impending bomber strike. Meanwhile, the three divisions from
325:. The ship had its shakedown cruise September – October 1943 before transiting the Panama Canal on 13 November 1943, headed for Pearl Harbor. Cabot arrived at Pearl on 27 November. By January
301:
449:
steamed out of the atoll to engage in training exercises en route to the Hollandia area. By 19 April the ship was close enough to the combat zone to see anti-aircraft fire on the horizon.
540:. They pounced on a Zero rapidly losing altitude as it sought to extract itself from the melee. Nooy is recorded as scoring hits from all angles, all over the doomed aircraft. He and the
357:(CAP) mission over the islands of Roi and Namur. Nooy was slotted into position as wingman to squadron leader LCDR Winston, as would become the norm. Though Winston led his fliers off
2549:
2529:
1801:
445:
refueled and returned to anchorage at Majuro, spending a week and a half there before again departing for the next TG 58.2 mission, Operation Desecrate-2. On 13 April
2434:
2554:
1754:
1261:
2504:
1000:
234:
2514:
2509:
2534:
1794:
429:
was assigned to escort her back towards Pearl. The light carrier returned to the task group and by mid-March was headed back to the Marshalls.
2544:
1117:
398:
launching more CAP and anti-submarine patrols in support of the Marine landings at Roi and Namur before the ship headed to recently-captured
342:
169:
721:
2539:
2519:
2234:
134:
702:
and was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1952. He was vice president of the American Partition Company and ran for political office in
205:
193:
377:. Winston opened up on the surprised enemy fighters first and started a fracas that broke his division out into weaving sections. The
338:
181:
1787:
2439:
1046:
851:
406:
and the rest of Task Group 58.2 were once again underway, headed to fleet up with Task Groups 58.1 and 58.3 in anticipation of
1073:
2330:
2452:
2178:
490:
186:
30:
709:
Cornelius Nooy died as a result of cancer on 12 March 1958. Nooy is buried at North Branch Reformed Church Cemetery in
2063:
1122:
954:
710:
95:
2370:
321:
VF-31 was officially established May 1943 and underwent unit training until August 1943, when it was attached to USS
1107:
1100:
961:
872:
484:
was headed out of Majuro, continuing exercises as it steamed towards Eniwetok for refueling. It did not stop long.
2055:
1999:
1630:
282:
151:
917:
820:
2274:
2106:
1231:
1068:
934:
927:
886:
879:
845:
892:
369:
together with one division top cover, the three divisions were split out at 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 feet.
2266:
1951:
1729:
703:
263:
2282:
666:
502:
The Meataxers' next saw action at Iwo Jima. Following on the heels of the surprise attacks launched by
300:, on April 15, 1921. He graduated from Long Island High School in 1939 and studied horticulture at the
901:
799:
2499:
2494:
2242:
2226:
1892:
1041:
514:
513:
s fighter squadron flew top cover for the first TG 58.2 fighter sweep early on 4 July. Hellcats from
467:
421:. That would have to wait, however. After a nighttime torpedo attack on 17 February severely damaged
415:
330:
198:
337:'s Fast Carrier Task Force. Their first strikes, launched in January, would be the opening salvo of
2378:
2298:
2007:
793:
775:
755:
748:
699:
573:
407:
374:
297:
174:
65:
1674:
862:
2146:
2130:
2090:
1967:
275:
267:
256:
144:
116:
532:
in the first of its three divisions. His division was the first to nose up into the Zekes, who
2314:
2162:
2138:
2047:
2015:
1975:
1884:
485:
354:
210:
2478:
2418:
2386:
2322:
2210:
2154:
2114:
2031:
1916:
1849:
1112:
910:
521:
362:
271:
2466:
2362:
2354:
2306:
2250:
2202:
2122:
2082:
1943:
1876:
781:
503:
262:
of World War II. Nooy ended the war as the highest-scoring fighter pilot operating from a
2410:
2402:
2338:
2290:
2170:
1991:
1983:
1868:
1841:
1646:
976:
674:
648:
644:
625:
2488:
2394:
2186:
1959:
1935:
1900:
1812:
1696:
334:
81:
835:
2258:
2218:
2194:
2023:
1833:
1608:
1575:
1542:
1509:
1476:
1443:
1410:
1378:
1341:
1300:
1061:
1017:
808:
736:
591:
244:
164:
1653:
2039:
983:
761:
378:
229:
826:
1818:
259:
224:
288:. The first of these tours set a record for kills by a CVL fighter squadron.
1730:"Archive Search Result Findings, Hollister 12th Naval District Target No. 5"
1024:
581:
239:
1599:
1566:
1533:
1500:
1467:
1434:
1401:
1369:
2346:
1908:
633:
615:
1332:
1291:
940:
725:
Nooy (right) after being presented with his Navy Cross in September 1944
1210:
1178:
1147:
533:
399:
266:(CVL), and tied for fourth-highest-scoring ace in the US Navy (with
720:
656:
599:
353:
VF-31 got their first taste of combat on 29 January during a dawn
1728:
US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District (September 2002).
1435:"Action Report, Palau and Woleai Air Strikes; 29 March – 1 April"
274:). Nooy served two tours with VF-31's "Flying Meataxers" aboard
1783:
698:
After the war, Nooy moved back to New York and stayed with the
361:, the air coordinator for the task group was broadcasting from
1370:"Aircraft Action Reports, VF-31; 29 January – 1 February 1944"
2525:
Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
1209:
1177:
1146:
2450:
1669:
1667:
1665:
1663:
1706:. Bureau of Naval Personnel. August 1947. p. 56
2075:
1928:
1861:
1826:
220:
160:
140:
130:
122:
110:
102:
88:
71:
52:
44:
21:
1598:
1565:
1532:
1499:
1466:
1433:
1402:"Aircraft Action Reports, VF-31; 16 February 1944"
1400:
1368:
1331:
1290:
329:was again in motion, now attached to Rear Admiral
466:s air group often flew alongside Air Group 5 of
1795:
402:to regroup. By the afternoon of 12 February,
8:
2550:United States Navy personnel of World War II
2530:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
1600:"Air Strikes Against Iwo Jima; 4 July 1944"
1468:"USS Cabot War Diary; 7 April – 4 May 1944"
459:cover for VT-31 on their bombing missions;
1802:
1788:
1780:
1362:
1360:
1358:
1256:
1254:
1252:
18:
1326:
1324:
1322:
1320:
1318:
729:Nooy received the following decorations:
1723:
1721:
950:
552:
255:(April 15, 1921 – March 12, 1958) was a
2457:
2435:List of United States World War II aces
1248:
302:New York State Institute of Agriculture
2555:Deaths from cancer in New York (state)
1118:Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
170:Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign
93:North Branch Reformed Church Cemetery
7:
1501:"Action Reports; 29 – 30 April 1944"
1399:Schoeffel, M.F. (23 February 1944).
1292:"NRAB New Orleans Report of Changes"
313:throughout the duration of the war.
1367:Schoeffel, M.F. (9 February 1944).
394:The first few days of February saw
206:Volcano and Ryukyu Islands campaign
1564:Wingard Jr., W.C. (10 July 1944).
1534:"Action Reports; 6 – 24 June 1944"
1218:Lieutenant Cornelius Nicholas Nooy
1192:Date Of Action: September 21, 1944
1186:Lieutenant Cornelius Nicholas Nooy
1155:Lieutenant Cornelius Nicholas Nooy
182:Mariana and Palau Islands campaign
14:
2505:American World War II flying aces
1567:"Aircraft Action Reports, CAG-14"
574:Mitsubishi A6M "Zeke" (or "Zero")
2472:
2460:
1811:
1652:
1432:Schoeffel, M.F. (7 April 1944).
1271:. September 1950. pp. 18–19
939:
933:
926:
916:
909:
900:
891:
885:
878:
871:
861:
850:
844:
834:
825:
819:
807:
798:
792:
780:
774:
760:
754:
747:
735:
29:
2515:People from Smithtown, New York
1631:"Obituaries: Cornelius N. Nooy"
1047:Navy Presidential Unit Citation
35:Cornelius Nooy in his Hellcat,
2510:Aviators from New York (state)
1764:. January 15, 1945. p. 23
1677:. Military Times Hall of Valor
1531:Michael, S.J. (29 July 1944).
1498:Schoeffel, M.F. (3 May 1944).
1333:"War History of the USS Cabot"
1074:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
333:'s Task Group 58.2 as part of
1:
2535:Recipients of the Silver Star
2440:List of top World War II aces
1597:Michael, S.J. (9 July 1944).
1224:Date Of Action: July 24, 1945
36:
2545:United States Naval Aviators
1161:Date Of Action: July 4, 1944
491:Battle of the Philippine Sea
187:Battle of the Philippine Sea
2540:United States Navy officers
2520:Recipients of the Air Medal
1817:United States World War II
1637:. March 15, 1958. p. 5
1123:Philippine Liberation Medal
711:Somerset County, New Jersey
96:Somerset County, New Jersey
2571:
1108:Armed Forces Reserve Medal
1101:World War II Victory Medal
1001:Distinguished Flying Cross
235:Distinguished Flying Cross
2430:
2000:Dominic Salvatore Gentile
1821:with 15+ aerial victories
960:
953:
743:
734:
680:
343:Marshall Islands campaign
28:
1755:"Earned 110 Decorations"
2267:William T. Whisner Jr.
1206:3rd Navy Cross citation
1174:2nd Navy Cross citation
1143:1st Navy Cross citation
1069:American Campaign Medal
253:Cornelius Nicholas Nooy
2179:John C. "Pappy" Herbst
1237:
1214:
1200:
1182:
1169:
1151:
1087:" silver star and two
726:
717:Awards and decorations
704:Branchburg, New Jersey
667:Nakajima Ki-84 "Frank"
626:Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar"
473:during these strikes.
264:light aircraft carrier
1697:"Navy Cross Citation"
1227:
1213:
1195:
1181:
1164:
1150:
724:
649:Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony"
645:Nakajima Ki-44 "Tojo"
123:Years of service
2371:Edward "Porky" Cragg
2347:David Lee "Tex" Hill
2243:James S. Varnell Jr.
2227:John F. Thornell Jr.
1893:Charles H. MacDonald
1675:"Cornellius N. Nooy"
1262:"Militant Meataxers"
1232:enemy battleship Ise
1042:Combat Action Ribbon
331:Alfred E. Montgomery
199:Battle of Leyte Gulf
194:Philippines Campaign
135:Lieutenant commander
16:American fighter ace
2379:Kenneth H. Dahlberg
2331:Richard A. Peterson
2299:Charles R. Stimpson
2064:Robert B. Westbrook
2008:Fred J. Christensen
1762:Naval Aviation News
1269:Naval Aviation News
955:Naval Aviator Badge
700:U.S. Naval Reserves
592:Yokosuka D4Y "Judy"
408:Operation Hailstone
339:Operation Flintlock
298:Smithtown, New York
175:Operation Hailstone
66:Smithtown, New York
2147:Glenn T. Eagleston
2091:Patrick D. Fleming
1968:David C. Schilling
1952:Eugene A. Valencia
1215:
1183:
1152:
727:
675:Yokkaichi airfield
640:21 September 1944
622:13 September 1944
268:Patrick D. Fleming
257:United States Navy
117:United States Navy
2448:
2447:
2423:
2415:
2407:
2399:
2391:
2383:
2375:
2367:
2359:
2351:
2343:
2335:
2327:
2319:
2315:William D. Dunham
2311:
2303:
2295:
2287:
2279:
2271:
2263:
2255:
2247:
2239:
2235:Gerald W. Johnson
2231:
2223:
2215:
2207:
2199:
2191:
2183:
2175:
2167:
2163:Walter C. Beckham
2159:
2151:
2143:
2139:Leonard K. Carson
2135:
2127:
2119:
2111:
2107:John Lucian Smith
2103:
2099:Cornelius N. Nooy
2095:
2087:
2068:
2060:
2052:
2048:Donald N. Aldrich
2044:
2036:
2028:
2020:
2016:Ray Shuey Wetmore
2012:
2004:
1996:
1988:
1980:
1976:Gerald R. Johnson
1972:
1964:
1956:
1948:
1940:
1921:
1913:
1905:
1897:
1889:
1885:Robert S. Johnson
1881:
1877:Gregory Boyington
1873:
1854:
1846:
1838:
1140:
1139:
949:
948:
691:
690:
486:Operation Forager
355:combat air patrol
296:Nooy was born in
250:
249:
211:Battle of Okinawa
23:Cornelius N. Nooy
2562:
2477:
2476:
2475:
2465:
2464:
2463:
2456:
2421:
2419:Harold L. Spears
2413:
2405:
2397:
2389:
2387:James A. Goodson
2381:
2373:
2365:
2357:
2349:
2341:
2333:
2325:
2323:Don M. Beerbower
2317:
2309:
2301:
2293:
2285:
2277:
2269:
2261:
2253:
2245:
2237:
2229:
2221:
2213:
2211:Donald Blakeslee
2205:
2197:
2189:
2181:
2173:
2165:
2157:
2155:Wilbur J. Thomas
2149:
2141:
2133:
2125:
2117:
2115:Alexander Vraciu
2109:
2101:
2093:
2085:
2066:
2058:
2050:
2042:
2034:
2032:Kenneth A. Walsh
2026:
2018:
2010:
2002:
1994:
1986:
1978:
1970:
1962:
1954:
1946:
1938:
1919:
1917:Robert M. Hanson
1911:
1903:
1895:
1887:
1879:
1871:
1852:
1850:David McCampbell
1844:
1836:
1816:
1815:
1804:
1797:
1790:
1781:
1774:
1773:
1771:
1769:
1759:
1751:
1745:
1744:
1742:
1740:
1734:
1725:
1716:
1715:
1713:
1711:
1701:
1693:
1687:
1686:
1684:
1682:
1671:
1658:
1657:
1656:
1650:
1644:
1642:
1627:
1621:
1620:
1618:
1616:
1602:
1594:
1588:
1587:
1585:
1583:
1569:
1561:
1555:
1554:
1552:
1550:
1536:
1528:
1522:
1521:
1519:
1517:
1503:
1495:
1489:
1488:
1486:
1484:
1470:
1465:Schoeffel, M.F.
1462:
1456:
1455:
1453:
1451:
1437:
1429:
1423:
1422:
1420:
1418:
1404:
1396:
1390:
1389:
1387:
1385:
1372:
1364:
1353:
1352:
1350:
1348:
1335:
1328:
1313:
1312:
1310:
1308:
1294:
1287:
1281:
1280:
1278:
1276:
1266:
1258:
1135:
1134:
1130:
1113:hourglass device
1096:
1095:
1091:
1086:
1085:
1081:
1059:
1058:
1054:
1037:
1036:
1032:
1013:
1012:
1008:
996:
995:
991:
974:
973:
969:
951:
943:
937:
930:
920:
913:
904:
895:
889:
882:
875:
865:
854:
848:
838:
829:
823:
811:
802:
796:
784:
778:
764:
758:
751:
739:
732:
731:
570:29 January 1944
553:
549:Aerial victories
512:
465:
272:Alexander Vraciu
112:
78:
62:
60:
38:
33:
19:
2570:
2569:
2565:
2564:
2563:
2561:
2560:
2559:
2485:
2484:
2483:
2473:
2471:
2461:
2459:
2451:
2449:
2444:
2426:
2363:Samuel J. Brown
2355:Jack T. Bradley
2307:George S. Welch
2251:John T. Godfrey
2203:John B. England
2123:Arthur J. Benko
2083:Glenn E. Duncan
2071:
2056:Thomas J. Lynch
1944:Cecil E. Harris
1924:
1857:
1822:
1810:
1808:
1778:
1777:
1767:
1765:
1757:
1753:
1752:
1748:
1738:
1736:
1732:
1727:
1726:
1719:
1709:
1707:
1699:
1695:
1694:
1690:
1680:
1678:
1673:
1672:
1661:
1651:
1640:
1638:
1635:The Daily Times
1629:
1628:
1624:
1614:
1612:
1596:
1595:
1591:
1581:
1579:
1563:
1562:
1558:
1548:
1546:
1530:
1529:
1525:
1515:
1513:
1497:
1496:
1492:
1482:
1480:
1464:
1463:
1459:
1449:
1447:
1431:
1430:
1426:
1416:
1414:
1398:
1397:
1393:
1383:
1381:
1366:
1365:
1356:
1346:
1344:
1330:
1329:
1316:
1306:
1304:
1289:
1288:
1284:
1274:
1272:
1264:
1260:
1259:
1250:
1245:
1208:
1176:
1145:
1136:" bronze stars
1132:
1128:
1127:
1125:
1110:
1097:" bronze stars
1093:
1089:
1088:
1083:
1079:
1078:
1076:
1056:
1052:
1051:
1049:
1034:
1030:
1029:
1027:
1010:
1006:
1005:
1003:
993:
989:
988:
986:
971:
967:
966:
964:
945:
944:
938:
931:
897:
896:
890:
883:
876:
856:
855:
849:
831:
830:
824:
804:
803:
797:
786:
785:
779:
766:
765:
759:
752:
719:
696:
609:Mitsubishi A6M
551:
510:
504:Joseph J. Clark
500:
463:
441:In early April
439:
392:
351:
319:
310:
294:
243:
238:
233:
228:
150:
98:
94:
80:
76:
64:
58:
56:
40:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
2568:
2566:
2558:
2557:
2552:
2547:
2542:
2537:
2532:
2527:
2522:
2517:
2512:
2507:
2502:
2497:
2487:
2486:
2482:
2481:
2469:
2446:
2445:
2443:
2442:
2437:
2431:
2428:
2427:
2425:
2424:
2416:
2411:Cyril F. Homer
2408:
2403:Ralph K. Hofer
2400:
2392:
2384:
2376:
2368:
2360:
2352:
2344:
2339:James E. Swett
2336:
2328:
2320:
2312:
2304:
2296:
2291:Ira C. Kepford
2288:
2280:
2272:
2264:
2256:
2248:
2240:
2232:
2224:
2216:
2208:
2200:
2192:
2184:
2176:
2171:Herschel Green
2168:
2160:
2152:
2144:
2136:
2131:Marion E. Carl
2128:
2120:
2112:
2104:
2096:
2088:
2079:
2077:
2073:
2072:
2070:
2069:
2061:
2053:
2045:
2040:Walker Mahurin
2037:
2029:
2021:
2013:
2005:
1997:
1992:Jay T. Robbins
1989:
1984:Neel E. Kearby
1981:
1973:
1965:
1957:
1949:
1941:
1932:
1930:
1926:
1925:
1923:
1922:
1914:
1906:
1898:
1890:
1882:
1874:
1869:Gabby Gabreski
1865:
1863:
1859:
1858:
1856:
1855:
1847:
1842:Thomas McGuire
1839:
1830:
1828:
1824:
1823:
1809:
1807:
1806:
1799:
1792:
1784:
1776:
1775:
1746:
1735:. p. E-44
1717:
1688:
1659:
1647:Newspapers.com
1622:
1589:
1556:
1523:
1490:
1479:. pp. 1–4
1457:
1424:
1391:
1354:
1314:
1282:
1247:
1246:
1244:
1241:
1226:
1225:
1222:
1219:
1207:
1204:
1194:
1193:
1190:
1187:
1175:
1172:
1163:
1162:
1159:
1156:
1144:
1141:
1138:
1137:
1120:
1115:
1104:
1103:
1098:
1071:
1065:
1064:
1044:
1039:
1038:" Silver Star
1021:
1020:
1015:
998:
980:
979:
958:
957:
947:
946:
932:
925:
924:
923:
921:
914:
906:
905:
898:
884:
877:
870:
869:
868:
866:
858:
857:
843:
842:
841:
839:
832:
818:
817:
816:
813:
812:
805:
791:
790:
789:
787:
773:
772:
771:
768:
767:
753:
746:
745:
744:
741:
740:
718:
715:
695:
692:
689:
688:
686:
681:
678:
677:
672:
669:
664:
660:
659:
654:
651:
641:
637:
636:
631:
628:
623:
619:
618:
613:
610:
607:
603:
602:
597:
594:
589:
588:30 March 1944
585:
584:
579:
576:
571:
567:
566:
563:
560:
557:
550:
547:
499:
498:July–September
496:
438:
435:
391:
390:February–March
388:
350:
347:
318:
315:
309:
306:
293:
290:
248:
247:
222:
218:
217:
216:
215:
214:
213:
203:
202:
201:
191:
190:
189:
179:
178:
177:
162:
158:
157:
142:
138:
137:
132:
128:
127:
124:
120:
119:
114:
108:
107:
104:
100:
99:
92:
90:
86:
85:
79:(aged 36)
75:March 12, 1958
73:
69:
68:
63:April 15, 1921
54:
50:
49:
46:
42:
41:
34:
26:
25:
22:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
2567:
2556:
2553:
2551:
2548:
2546:
2543:
2541:
2538:
2536:
2533:
2531:
2528:
2526:
2523:
2521:
2518:
2516:
2513:
2511:
2508:
2506:
2503:
2501:
2498:
2496:
2493:
2492:
2490:
2480:
2470:
2468:
2458:
2454:
2441:
2438:
2436:
2433:
2432:
2429:
2420:
2417:
2412:
2409:
2404:
2401:
2396:
2395:Robert W. Foy
2393:
2388:
2385:
2380:
2377:
2372:
2369:
2364:
2361:
2356:
2353:
2348:
2345:
2340:
2337:
2332:
2329:
2324:
2321:
2316:
2313:
2308:
2305:
2300:
2297:
2292:
2289:
2284:
2281:
2276:
2275:Douglas Baker
2273:
2268:
2265:
2260:
2257:
2252:
2249:
2244:
2241:
2236:
2233:
2228:
2225:
2220:
2217:
2212:
2209:
2204:
2201:
2196:
2193:
2188:
2187:Charles Older
2185:
2180:
2177:
2172:
2169:
2164:
2161:
2156:
2153:
2148:
2145:
2140:
2137:
2132:
2129:
2124:
2121:
2116:
2113:
2108:
2105:
2100:
2097:
2092:
2089:
2084:
2081:
2080:
2078:
2074:
2065:
2062:
2057:
2054:
2049:
2046:
2041:
2038:
2033:
2030:
2025:
2022:
2017:
2014:
2009:
2006:
2001:
1998:
1993:
1990:
1985:
1982:
1977:
1974:
1969:
1966:
1961:
1960:Lance C. Wade
1958:
1953:
1950:
1945:
1942:
1937:
1936:John C. Meyer
1934:
1933:
1931:
1927:
1918:
1915:
1910:
1907:
1902:
1901:George Preddy
1899:
1894:
1891:
1886:
1883:
1878:
1875:
1870:
1867:
1866:
1864:
1860:
1851:
1848:
1843:
1840:
1835:
1832:
1831:
1829:
1825:
1820:
1814:
1805:
1800:
1798:
1793:
1791:
1786:
1785:
1782:
1763:
1756:
1750:
1747:
1731:
1724:
1722:
1718:
1705:
1698:
1692:
1689:
1676:
1670:
1668:
1666:
1664:
1660:
1655:
1648:
1636:
1632:
1626:
1623:
1610:
1606:
1601:
1593:
1590:
1578:. p. 361
1577:
1573:
1568:
1560:
1557:
1545:. p. 118
1544:
1540:
1535:
1527:
1524:
1511:
1507:
1502:
1494:
1491:
1478:
1474:
1469:
1461:
1458:
1445:
1441:
1436:
1428:
1425:
1412:
1408:
1403:
1395:
1392:
1380:
1376:
1371:
1363:
1361:
1359:
1355:
1343:
1339:
1334:
1327:
1325:
1323:
1321:
1319:
1315:
1303:. 31 May 1942
1302:
1298:
1293:
1286:
1283:
1270:
1263:
1257:
1255:
1253:
1249:
1242:
1240:
1236:
1233:
1223:
1220:
1217:
1216:
1212:
1205:
1203:
1199:
1191:
1188:
1185:
1184:
1180:
1173:
1171:
1168:
1160:
1157:
1154:
1153:
1149:
1142:
1124:
1121:
1119:
1116:
1114:
1109:
1106:
1105:
1102:
1099:
1075:
1072:
1070:
1067:
1066:
1063:
1048:
1045:
1043:
1040:
1026:
1023:
1022:
1019:
1016:
1002:
999:
985:
982:
981:
978:
963:
959:
956:
952:
942:
936:
929:
922:
919:
915:
912:
908:
907:
903:
899:
894:
888:
881:
874:
867:
864:
860:
859:
853:
847:
840:
837:
833:
828:
822:
815:
814:
810:
806:
801:
795:
788:
783:
777:
770:
769:
763:
757:
750:
742:
738:
733:
730:
723:
716:
714:
712:
707:
705:
701:
693:
687:
685:
682:
679:
676:
673:
670:
668:
665:
663:25 July 1945
662:
661:
658:
655:
652:
650:
646:
642:
639:
638:
635:
632:
629:
627:
624:
621:
620:
617:
614:
611:
608:
605:
604:
601:
598:
595:
593:
590:
587:
586:
583:
580:
577:
575:
572:
569:
568:
564:
561:
558:
555:
554:
548:
546:
543:
539:
535:
530:
526:
525:
519:
518:
509:
505:
497:
495:
492:
487:
483:
478:
474:
472:
471:
462:
457:
452:
448:
444:
436:
434:
430:
428:
424:
420:
419:
413:
409:
405:
401:
397:
389:
387:
383:
380:
376:
370:
367:
366:
360:
356:
348:
346:
344:
340:
336:
335:Marc Mitscher
332:
328:
324:
316:
314:
307:
305:
303:
299:
291:
289:
287:
286:
280:
279:
273:
269:
265:
261:
258:
254:
246:
241:
236:
231:
226:
223:
219:
212:
209:
208:
207:
204:
200:
197:
196:
195:
192:
188:
185:
184:
183:
180:
176:
173:
172:
171:
168:
167:
166:
163:
159:
156:
155:
149:
148:
143:
139:
136:
133:
129:
125:
121:
118:
115:
109:
106:United States
105:
101:
97:
91:
87:
83:
82:New York City
74:
70:
67:
55:
51:
47:
43:
32:
27:
20:
2259:Bud Anderson
2219:Duane Beeson
2195:Hubert Zemke
2098:
2024:John J. Voll
1834:Richard Bong
1766:. Retrieved
1761:
1749:
1737:. Retrieved
1708:. Retrieved
1703:
1691:
1679:. Retrieved
1645:– via
1639:. Retrieved
1634:
1625:
1613:. Retrieved
1611:. p. 10
1609:Ancestry.com
1604:
1592:
1580:. Retrieved
1576:Ancestry.com
1571:
1559:
1547:. Retrieved
1543:Ancestry.com
1538:
1526:
1514:. Retrieved
1512:. p. 44
1510:Ancestry.com
1505:
1493:
1481:. Retrieved
1477:Ancestry.com
1472:
1460:
1448:. Retrieved
1446:. p. 36
1444:Ancestry.com
1439:
1427:
1415:. Retrieved
1411:Ancestry.com
1406:
1394:
1382:. Retrieved
1379:Ancestry.com
1374:
1345:. Retrieved
1342:Ancestry.com
1337:
1305:. Retrieved
1301:Ancestry.com
1296:
1285:
1273:. Retrieved
1268:
1238:
1228:
1201:
1196:
1170:
1165:
1111:with bronze
1018:Purple Heart
1014:" Gold Star
997:" Gold Star
728:
708:
697:
683:
606:4 July 1944
541:
537:
528:
523:
516:
507:
506:'s TG 58.1,
501:
481:
479:
475:
469:
460:
455:
450:
446:
442:
440:
431:
426:
422:
417:
411:
403:
395:
393:
384:
371:
364:
358:
352:
349:January 1944
326:
322:
320:
311:
308:World War II
295:
285:Belleau Wood
284:
277:
252:
251:
245:Purple Heart
165:World War II
161:Battles/wars
154:Belleau Wood
153:
146:
77:(1958-03-12)
2500:1958 deaths
2495:1921 births
2283:Bill Harris
1819:flying aces
1768:December 8,
1739:December 8,
1710:December 8,
1681:January 22,
1641:December 8,
1615:December 8,
1582:December 8,
1549:December 8,
1516:December 8,
1483:December 8,
1450:December 8,
1417:December 8,
1413:. p. 7
1384:December 8,
1347:December 8,
1307:December 8,
1275:December 8,
1062:bronze star
984:Silver Star
706:, in 1954.
379:Thach Weave
230:Silver Star
45:Nickname(s)
2489:Categories
1243:References
977:Gold Stars
962:Navy Cross
480:By 6 June
437:April–June
292:Early life
260:flying ace
225:Navy Cross
103:Allegiance
84:, New York
59:1921-04-15
2479:Biography
1704:All Hands
1221:U.S. Navy
1189:U.S. Navy
1158:U.S. Navy
1025:Air Medal
643:2 A6M, 2
582:Kwajalein
565:Location
522:USS
515:USS
468:USS
416:USS
363:USS
283:USS
276:USS
240:Air Medal
152:USS
145:USS
126:1942–1958
39:July 1945
2467:Aviation
1909:Joe Foss
1235:Service.
694:Post-war
634:Mindanao
616:Iwo Jima
517:Franklin
470:Yorktown
423:Intrepid
418:Intrepid
111:Service/
48:"Connie"
2453:Portals
2350:(15.25)
2342:(15.25)
2334:(15.25)
2326:(15.25)
2262:(16.25)
2254:(16.33)
2230:(17.25)
2222:(17.33)
2198:(17.75)
2043:(20.75)
2019:(21.25)
2003:(21.83)
1904:(26.83)
1131:⁄
1126:w/ two
1092:⁄
1082:⁄
1077:w/ one
1055:⁄
1050:w/ one
1033:⁄
1028:w/ one
1009:⁄
1004:w/ one
992:⁄
987:w/ one
970:⁄
965:w/ two
534:Split S
341:in the
2270:(16.4)
2214:(17.5)
2206:(17.5)
2158:(18.5)
2150:(18.5)
2142:(18.5)
2134:(18.5)
2126:(18.5)
2011:(21.5)
1971:(22.5)
562:Total
400:Majuro
221:Awards
113:branch
89:Buried
2076:15–19
1929:20–24
1862:25–29
1758:(PDF)
1733:(PDF)
1700:(PDF)
1605:Fold3
1572:Fold3
1539:Fold3
1506:Fold3
1473:Fold3
1440:Fold3
1407:Fold3
1375:Fold3
1338:Fold3
1297:Fold3
1265:(PDF)
1239:>
1202:>
657:Luzon
600:Palau
559:Type
556:Date
529:Cabot
511:'
508:Cabot
482:Cabot
464:'
461:Cabot
456:Cabot
451:Cabot
447:Cabot
443:Cabot
427:Cabot
412:Essex
404:Cabot
396:Cabot
375:Zeros
365:Essex
359:Cabot
327:Cabot
323:Cabot
317:VF-31
278:Cabot
147:Cabot
2422:(15)
2414:(15)
2406:(15)
2398:(15)
2390:(15)
2382:(15)
2374:(15)
2366:(15)
2358:(15)
2318:(16)
2310:(16)
2302:(16)
2294:(16)
2286:(16)
2278:(16)
2246:(17)
2238:(17)
2190:(18)
2182:(18)
2174:(18)
2166:(18)
2118:(19)
2110:(19)
2102:(19)
2094:(19)
2086:(19)
2067:(20)
2059:(20)
2051:(20)
2035:(21)
2027:(21)
1995:(22)
1987:(22)
1979:(22)
1963:(23)
1955:(23)
1947:(24)
1939:(24)
1920:(25)
1912:(26)
1896:(27)
1888:(27)
1880:(28)
1872:(28)
1853:(34)
1845:(38)
1837:(40)
1770:2016
1741:2016
1712:2016
1683:2018
1643:2016
1617:2016
1584:2016
1551:2016
1518:2016
1485:2016
1452:2016
1419:2016
1386:2016
1349:2016
1309:2016
1277:2016
647:, 1
542:Wasp
538:Wasp
524:Wasp
520:and
281:and
270:and
141:Unit
131:Rank
72:Died
53:Born
1827:30+
414:or
242:(6)
237:(2)
232:(2)
227:(3)
2491::
1760:.
1720:^
1702:.
1662:^
1633:.
1607:.
1603:.
1574:.
1570:.
1541:.
1537:.
1508:.
1504:.
1475:.
1471:.
1442:.
1438:.
1409:.
1405:.
1377:.
1373:.
1357:^
1340:.
1336:.
1317:^
1299:.
1295:.
1267:.
1251:^
1133:16
1094:16
1084:16
1060:"
1057:16
1035:16
1011:16
994:16
975:"
972:16
713:.
684:19
671:4
653:5
630:3
612:4
596:2
578:1
425:,
345:.
304:.
37:c.
2455::
1803:e
1796:t
1789:v
1772:.
1743:.
1714:.
1685:.
1649:.
1619:.
1586:.
1553:.
1520:.
1487:.
1454:.
1421:.
1388:.
1351:.
1311:.
1279:.
1129:3
1090:3
1080:3
1053:3
1031:5
1007:5
990:5
968:5
61:)
57:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
