U.S. Naval aviators in the Pacific Theater of Operations during WWII had their hands full. While the RAF earned thier fame in the Battle of Britain and the follow-on V-rocket Blitz, the U.S. Navy had to slug their way across 8,000 miles of water and fight the Japanese for every island.
One of these hardy flyboys was Alexander Vraciu, born in 1918 to Transylvanian immigrants in East Chicago. Graduating from DePauw University in 1941, he joined the USNR and by March 1943 was flying as Butch O’Hare’s wingman from the USS Independence (CVL-22) as part of the old Fighting Squadron Six (VF-6), flying F6F Hellcats.
Hard as a coffin nail, Vraciu racked up 21 aircraft destroyed on the ground and 19 confirmed aerial victories including a famous half dozen in a single day during the Marianas Turkey Shoot.
Lt. Alex Vraciu uses his hands to indicate his downing of six aircraft in a single day, June 19, 1944. All were Yokosuka D4Y “Judies” shot down in a period of just 8 minutes.
Shot down over the Philippines, he led a local guerrilla force for six weeks before linking up with American forces. He retired in 1964 at the rank of full commander. Although twice recommended for the MOH, he was ultimately awarded the Navy Cross. There is a campaign to help see he finally receives his MOH.
Commander Vraciu rejoined VF-6 last week at the age of 96.
His shipmates have been waiting.
