Donald N. Aldrich
Donald N. Aldrich | |
---|---|
Born | Moline, Illinois | 24 October 1917
Died | 3 May 1947 Chicago, Illinois | (aged 29)
Buried | |
Allegiance | Canada United States |
Service/ | Royal Canadian Air Force (1941–42) United States Marine Corps (1942–47) |
Years of service | 1941–1947 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | VMF-215 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Navy Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal Purple Heart (2)[1] |
Donald Nathan Aldrich (24 October 1917 – 3 May 1947) was a United States Marine Corps Reserve captain and World War II flying ace. With 20 victories,[2] Aldrich was the fifth-highest-scoring Marine Corps ace of the war. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force after the United States Army Air Corps refused him because he was married. Aldrich became an instructor pilot and transferred to the United States Marine Corps in late 1942. He joined VMF-215 in the Solomon Islands campaign in June 1943, flying the Vought F4U Corsair. Aldrich added to his 20 victories in three combat tours with six probables, the highest total number of probables in the Marine Corps. Postwar, Aldrich continued to serve in the Marine Corps and was killed in a 1947 plane crash.
Early life
Aldrich was born on 24 October 1917 in
Military service
Aldridge unsuccessfully attempted to join the United States Army Air Corps, but was declined as they did not accept married men at the time. In February 1941, Aldrich joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, receiving his wings in November. He then served as an instructor pilot.[3] He subsequently was commission a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps on 14 May 1942.[3]
He transferred to the United States Marine Corps Reserve in October 1942.[2][4]
World War II
Aldrich became a captain in June 1943 and joined
Postwar and death
Aldrich continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve postwar. He had almost 2,400 hours of flying time by early 1947. Stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, he was temporarily detailed to Quantico for a special training course. On 3 May, Aldrich was given leave to visit his family in Chicago, but encountered engine trouble while en route to Naval Air Station Glenview. He attempted to land at Ashburn Airport, which was closed due to mud. His Corsair flipped over when its wheels touched the ground and Aldrich was killed.[2][9] He was buried at the Oak Woods Cemetery.[10]
Military decorations
His awards include:
Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Donald Nathan Aldrich (MCSN: 0-11256), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Division Leader and a Pilot of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN (VMF-215), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 5 January 1944 to 15 February 1944. Intercepted by vastly superior numbers of enemy aircraft while flying escort for our bombers during strikes over the strongly defended Vunakanau and Lakunai Airfields on 20 and 26 January, Captain Aldrich fought gallantly against tremendous odds, immediately plunging to the attack and destroying four of the hostile planes. Returning from an escort mission deep in enemy territory, he and his wingman observed five Zeros attacking one of the pilots of his formation parachuting from a damaged plane, and hurling themselves at the enemy with a fury that balanced the unequal odds, drove the Zeros away, enabling the pilot to make a safe landing. Disregarding severe personal wounds and damage inflicted on his plane during an escort mission over Tobera Airfield on 28 January, he continued the fierce engagement despite overwhelming aerial opposition and shot four hostile craft from the sky. Destroying a total of fifteen Japanese aircraft during this period of intense aerial operations, he contributed essentially to the protection afforded our bombers and his bold tactics and brilliant combat record reflects the highest credit upon Captain Aldrich and the United States Naval Service.[5]
References
- ^ "Donald Nathan "Don" Aldrich: RCAF & USMC Captain". acesofww2.com. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ ISBN 9781782009535.
- ^ a b "Donald N. Aldrich". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ a b Holt, William Kermit (15 March 1944). "20 Japs In Bag, Chicago Ace On Way Back Home". Chicago Tribune. p. 9. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ a b c "Valor awards for Donald Nathan Aldrich". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ Sherman, Stephen F. (30 June 2011). "USMC Aces of WW2 – F4F Wildcat and F4U Corsair pilots in the Pacific". acepilots.com. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ Owens, Robert G. (1 June 1944). "War Diary, Marine Fighting Squadron Four Eighty One, 1 May 1944 to 31 May 1944". Fold3. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ Roscoe, Theodore (1970). On the seas and in the skies: a history of the U.S. Navy's air power. New York: Hawthorn Books. p. 362.
- ^ "Ace Who Got 21 Jap Planes Dies in Crash". Chicago Tribune. 4 May 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ Barger, Hal (5 November 1961). "Real Heroes Lie in Oak Woods Cemetery". Chicago Tribune. p. 244. Retrieved 24 November 2016.