Alexander Vraciu
Alexander Vraciu | |
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VF-20 | |
Battles/wars |
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Awards |
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Spouse(s) | Kathryn Horn[1] |
Alexander Vraciu (
Vraciu was born in
Early life, education and family
Vraciu was born in East Chicago, Indiana, on November 2, 1918, the second child and only son of Alexandru Sr. and Maria (née Tincu) Vraciu. Vraciu's parents immigrated from Transylvania, Romania at the turn of the century, settling in East Chicago, where they met and were married. (His father was born in Poiana Sibiului, and his mother was from Sebeș.) When Alex was seven or eight years old, the family traveled to Transylvania (Romania) for a brief residence. His parents hoped that the experience would immerse their children in the culture.[3] Afterward, the family returned to Indiana, where Vraciu resumed his education, graduating from East Chicago's Washington High School in 1937.[4]
Vraciu earned a four-year scholarship to
Vraciu married Kathryn Horn on August 24, 1944. The couple had five children, three daughters and two sons. Kathryn died in 2003.[6][7]
Pilot training
Following Vraciu's naval enlistment in 1941, he reported to Glenview Naval Air Station in suburban Chicago for preliminary training as a pilot, and received additional pilot training at Dallas and Corpus Christi, Texas, in early 1942, and in San Diego, California, in 1943.[8]
Vraciu was designated as a
World War II service
Vraciu's first air-to air combat took place over
After USS Independence was damaged in fighting with the Japanese, Vraciu's squadron transferred to
Date | Type | Total | Citation |
---|---|---|---|
10/05/43 | 1 A6M Zeke | 1 | [15] |
11/20/43 | 1 Mitsubishi G4M Betty | 1 | [16] |
01/29/44 | 3 G4M Betty | 3 | [17] |
02/16/44 | 3 A6M Zeke, 1 Nakajima A6M2-N Rufe | 4 | [18] |
04/29/44 | 2 A6M Zeke | 2 | [19] |
06/14/44 | 1 G4M Betty | 1 | [20]: 34 |
06/19/44 | 6 Yokosuka D4Y Judy | 6 | [20]: 63 |
06/20/44 | 1 A6M Zeke | 1 | [20]: 79 |
19 |
Vraciu's most successful day as an aviator occurred on June 19, 1944, during the First
Vraciu returned to combat in the Pacific in late 1944, flying
Post war service
Following World War II, Vraciu was promoted to lieutenant commander and spent six years as a test pilot. He was instrumental in forming the post-war Naval and Marine Air Reserve program.[28]
After staff assignments with the U.S. Navy in
Later years
After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Vraciu moved to Danville, California, where he worked for Wells Fargo bank.[7] In retirement he continued to give public lectures to schools, businesses, and civic groups.[31]
Vraciu appeared in "The Zero Killer" (2006), during season one, episode six, of the
In his later years, Vraciu declined invitations to write an autobiography; however, he agreed to be interviewed and participated in oral history projects at the Indiana Historical Society and the University of North Texas, which eventually resulted in the publication of his biography, Fighter Pilot: The World War II Career of Alex Vraciu (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press, 2010).[33]
Death and legacy
Vraciu died on January 29, 2015, in West Sacramento, California, at the age of 96.[34]
Historian Barrett Tillman acknowledged that Vraciu's mild-mannered and easy-going demeanor in his everyday life was atypical of his "steely aggressiveness" in combat.[35] Ray Boomhower, Vraciu's biographer, commented that the fighter pilot and wartime hero was straightforward in their discussions, adding that Vraciu "always gave credit to those who had trained him".[7]
Naval Air Facility El Centro became Vraciu Field in March 2019.
Vraciu's decorations and awards include:[36]
Naval Aviator Badge | |||
Navy Cross
|
Distinguished Flying Cross w/ two 5⁄16" Gold Stars | ||
Air Medal w/ three 5⁄16" Gold Stars |
Combat Action Ribbon | ||
Navy Unit Commendation | China Service Medal | American Defense Service Medal | |
American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ three 3⁄16" bronze stars |
World War II Victory Medal | |
National Defense Service Medal w/ one 3⁄16" Bronze Star |
Naval Reserve Medal | Philippine Liberation Medal w/ two 3⁄16" bronze stars |
- United States Navy High Individual (Aerial Gunnery), 1957[37]
- Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Alexander Vraciu
- U.S. Navy
- Date Of Action: June 12, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Alexander Vraciu, 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 SIXTEEN (VF-16), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), during operations in the vicinity of the Marianas Islands. On 12 June 1944 while participating in a daring strike against enemy shipping in a Saipan Harbor, Commander Vraciu dove through intense anti-aircraft fire to sink a large enemy merchant ship by a direct hit on its stern. On 14 June 1944 in the course of a strike against enemy positions in the islands of North of Saipan, Commander Vraciu sighted an enemy search plane. Despite an altitude disadvantage, he approached the plane so skillfully keeping in its "blind spot" that he was able to overhaul it and shoot it down. On 19 June 1944 with his Task Force under attack by a numerically superior force of enemy aircraft, Commander Vraciu struck furiously at the hostile bombers and, in the face of vigorous fighter opposition, succeeded in shooting down six thus contributing to the break-up of a concentrated enemy attack. On 20 June 1944 while flying escort for bomber and Torpedo Planes on a long-range strike against the Japanese Fleet, Commander Vraciu fearlessly closed with a group of hostile fighters, blasting one from the sky and severely damaging another to enable our forces to attack and disable a Japanese carrier. By his devotion to duty, Commander Vraciu reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[38]
Notes
- ^ a b c d Roberts, Sam (February 8, 2015). "Alex Vraciu, 'Indestructible' Ace of World War II, Dies at 96". The New York Times.
- ^ Alexander Vraciu, Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6) - The National WWII Museum Oral History. The National WWII Museum. June 18, 2020. Event occurs at 0:05. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ISBN 9780871952820.
- ^ Boomhower, p. 22–24.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 24–25, 30–32.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 125, 155.
- ^ a b c d Dawn Mitchell (February 3, 2015). "Alex Vraciu, Hoosier WWII fighter pilot, dead at age 96". Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, IN: The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 35, 40, 49.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 54–56.
- ^ Ewing, pp. 189–194.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 63, 72–73.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 78–79.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 84–85; 87–88.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 90–91.
- ^ Johnson, R.L. "Attack on Wake Island, 5–6 November 1943". Fold3. Ancestry.com. p. 23. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ^ Sears, David (August 2015). "Butch's Wingman". U.S. Naval Institute. Naval History Magazine. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ^ Harrison Jr., H.W. "ACA Reports Marshall Islands, 29 Jan to 1 Feb 1944". Fold3. Ancestry.com. p. 33. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ^ Harrison Jr., H.W. "ACA Reports Caroline Islands, 16–17 February 1944". Fold3. Ancestry.com. p. 4. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ^ Litch, E.W. "ACA Reports Truk, 29–30 April 1944". Fold3. Ancestry.com. p. 13. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ^ a b c Litch, E.W. "ACA Reports Marianas Islands 11–19 June 1944". Fold3. Ancestry.com. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- OCLC 1349967. Vraciu's recollections of the day appear in "In the Hot Pacific Sun". Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History. 3 (4). Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society: 53–54. 1991.
- ISBN 9780451216700.
- ^ Boomhower, p. 119.
- ^ "Alexander Vraciu – The Medal of Honor Controversy". Friends of Alex (Alexvraciu.org). 2006. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 121, 125, 127.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 128–32.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 136–38, 140, 148.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 150.
- ^ "VMF-314, VA-26 Tops In Meet" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. June 1957. pp. 11–13. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 152–55.
- ^ Boomhower, p. 157.
- ^ Paul Mavis (April 24, 2007). "Dogfights – The Complete Season One". dvdtalk.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 159, and Douglas E. Clanin Transcriptions of Oral History Interviews Collection Guide. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. 2013. Archived from the original (pdf) on July 29, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016. See also: Ronald E. Marcello (October 9, 1994). "Oral history project: Vraciu, Alex (B. 1918)". University of North Texas. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- Contra Costa Timesvia Legacy.com. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ David Colker (February 14, 2015). "Alex Vraciu dies at 96: World War II fighter ace". Los Angeles Times. Los Angesles, CA. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ "Pacific Front". Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ Boomhower, pp. 154–55.
- ^ "Alexander Vraciu". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
References
- "Alexander Vraciu – The Medal of Honor Controversy". Friends of Alex (Alexvraciu.org). 2006. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
- "Alexander Vraciu Obituary". Contra Costa Timesvia Legacy.com. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- Boomhower, Ray E. (2010). Fighter Pilot: The World War II Career of Alex Vraciu. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press. ISBN 9780871952820.
- Colker, David (February 14, 2015). "Alex Vraciu dies at 96: World War II fighter ace". Los Angeles Times. Los Angesles, CA. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- Douglas E. Clanin Transcriptions of Oral History Interviews Collection Guide. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. 2013. Archived from the original (pdf) on July 29, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
- "In the Hot Pacific Sun". Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History. 3 (4). Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society: 48–61. 1991.
- Marcello, Ronald E. (October 9, 1994). "Oral History Project: Alex Vraciu". University of North Texas. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- Mavis, Paul (April 24, 2007). "Dogfights – The Complete Season One". dvdtalk.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- Olynyk, Frank (1993). Stars & Bars: A Tribute to the American Fighter Ace 1920–1973. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1898697175.
- Roberts, Sam (February 7, 2015). "Alex Vraciu, 'Indestructible' Ace of World War II, Dies at 96". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- Sims, Edward H. (1962). Greatest Fighter Missions of the Top Navy and Marine Aces of World War II. New York: Harper. OCLC 1349967.
- Tillman, Barrett (2005). Clash of the Carriers: The true story of the Marianas turkey shoot of World War II. New York: New American Library. ISBN 9780451216700.
- Tillman, Barrett (1996). Hellcat Aces of World War 2. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-596-9.
- "VMF-314, VA-26 Tops In Meet" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. June 1957. pp. 11–13. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- Ewing, Steve & Lundstrom, John B (1997). Fateful Rendezvous. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1557502471.
- "VF-6 War Diary 1943-1945". Washington, DC: United States Navy Naval Historical Center.
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