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Commander Alex Vraciu USN - Cranston-Military-Prints.com Aviation Art Store
Aviation Art Collecton - Commander Alex Vraciu USN





Died : 2015

Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pearl Harbor. On June 24th 1942 Alexander Vraciu recieved his Naval Aviators wings. He became carrier-qualified on Lake Michigan on USS WOLVERINE, a converted excursion ship, Vraciu qualified on eight straight passes in a F4F Wildcat, demonstrating an early affinity for carrier duty. He went onto fly the Grumman F6F Hellcat in the Pacific theatre. Alex Vraciu first saw combat flying the F6F Hellcat off carriers with VF-6. It was while flying as section leader in LCDR OHares division on October 5th, 1943, that Alex scored his first aerial victory over a Japanese zero at Wake Island. He notched three Zeroes and one Rufe in a wild dogfight at the first Truk raid on February 16, 1944 as part of a 72-Hellcat fighter sweep at the Japanese Naval fortress. During the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot he shot down six dive-bombers in eight minutes. The following day, escorting bombers in an attack on the Japanese Mobiel Fleet (Kido Butai), Vraciu downed his 19th victim, a Zero making him the foremost US Navy ace by a considerable margin, although he would hold that title for only four months. His luck ran out on December 14, 1944, while strafing over Luzon Island in the Philippines, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and Alex Vraciu was forced to parachute safely from his damaged aircraft. Bailing out, he spent five weeks with Filipino guerrillas before meeting up with advancing Americans. He ended the war as the US Navys fourth highest Ace. In addition to his 19 aerial victories, he had destroyed 21 enemy aircraft on the ground. During the last few months of the war he served as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, evaluating tactical performances between japanese an US aircraft he retired from the service in 1963. He died on 29th January 2015.

Based on many years of experience in dealing with thousands of aviation signatures, we have estimated the value this signature adds to a print as £45


Scramble for the Marianas by Nicolas Trudgian.


Scramble for the Marianas by Nicolas Trudgian.

On June 19, 1944 American Navy pilots ripped into wave after wave of enemy aircraft. As each new onslaught arrived there were more fighters there to meet them. Other squadrons joined in the melee and the radio circuits crackled with shouts and cries of encouragement. Hell this is like an old time turkey shoot! yelled one pilot - and thus the battle became known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. By the late afternoon two Japanese carriers had been sunk by submarines, and an incredible 373 enemy planes shot down. The U.S. Navy pilots had won an historic victory. Seen hurtling off the deck of the U.S.S. Lexington is the F6F Hellcat of Lt. Alex Vraciu of Fighting Squadron VF-16. With 12 victories already to his credit, Vraciu would add a further 6 to his tally in the space of just 8 minutes on that momentous day.
Item Code : DHM2663Scramble for the Marianas by Nicolas Trudgian. - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Paper size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm)
Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Cormier, Richard

Died : 2001
Captain Richard Zeke Cormier (deceased)
Richard Cormier served with UC-I aboard the U.S.S. Card in the Atlantic flying both the Wildcat and the Avenger, and was commended for an attack against a German U-boat. In March 1944 he was assigned to VF-80 flying the F6F Hellcat from the U.S.S. Ticonderoga during the campaign against the Philippine Islands, and in strikes against Iwo Jima and Okinawa. With 8 victories to his credit during World War 11, Zeke Cormier flew in the Korean War and later as leader of the famous Blue Angels. He retir
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
McWhorter, Hamilton

Died : 2008
Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased)
Hamilton Mac McWhorter first saw combat with VF-9 flying the F4F Wildcat from the USS Ranger in strikes against Casablanca. In March 1943 he transferred to the new F6F Hellcat aboard USS Essex in the Pacific, and participated in the strikes against Marcus, Wake, Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabaul, Truk - where he scored a notable triple victory in a few minutes, and Saipan. Joining VF-12 aboard USS Randolph, he took part in strikes against Tokyo in February 1945, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Smith, Armistead Chick

Died : 2006
Captain Armistead Chick Smith (deceased)
Armistead Burwell Smith Jr. was born March 15, 1921, in Gastonia, North Carolina. He left the University of North Carolina after two years to join the Navy and was commissioned as an ensign in February 1942. In November 1942 in North Africa, he flew an F4F Wildcat off the carrier USS Ranger. Capt. Chick Smith over the course of the war, shot down 11 enemy aircraft during 87 combat missions. The first seven of the downed planes were during a 15-month period flying off the aircraft carrier Esse
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Nicolas Trudgian
SOLD
OUT
NOT
AVAILABLE
Limited edition of 100 artist proofs. Paper size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm)
Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Cormier, Richard

Died : 2001
Captain Richard Zeke Cormier (deceased)
Richard Cormier served with UC-I aboard the U.S.S. Card in the Atlantic flying both the Wildcat and the Avenger, and was commended for an attack against a German U-boat. In March 1944 he was assigned to VF-80 flying the F6F Hellcat from the U.S.S. Ticonderoga during the campaign against the Philippine Islands, and in strikes against Iwo Jima and Okinawa. With 8 victories to his credit during World War 11, Zeke Cormier flew in the Korean War and later as leader of the famous Blue Angels. He retir
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
McWhorter, Hamilton

Died : 2008
Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased)
Hamilton Mac McWhorter first saw combat with VF-9 flying the F4F Wildcat from the USS Ranger in strikes against Casablanca. In March 1943 he transferred to the new F6F Hellcat aboard USS Essex in the Pacific, and participated in the strikes against Marcus, Wake, Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabaul, Truk - where he scored a notable triple victory in a few minutes, and Saipan. Joining VF-12 aboard USS Randolph, he took part in strikes against Tokyo in February 1945, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Smith, Armistead Chick

Died : 2006
Captain Armistead Chick Smith (deceased)
Armistead Burwell Smith Jr. was born March 15, 1921, in Gastonia, North Carolina. He left the University of North Carolina after two years to join the Navy and was commissioned as an ensign in February 1942. In November 1942 in North Africa, he flew an F4F Wildcat off the carrier USS Ranger. Capt. Chick Smith over the course of the war, shot down 11 enemy aircraft during 87 combat missions. The first seven of the downed planes were during a 15-month period flying off the aircraft carrier Esse
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Nicolas Trudgian
£150 Off!Now : £350.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of 125 publishers proofs. Paper size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm)
Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Cormier, Richard

Died : 2001
Captain Richard Zeke Cormier (deceased)
Richard Cormier served with UC-I aboard the U.S.S. Card in the Atlantic flying both the Wildcat and the Avenger, and was commended for an attack against a German U-boat. In March 1944 he was assigned to VF-80 flying the F6F Hellcat from the U.S.S. Ticonderoga during the campaign against the Philippine Islands, and in strikes against Iwo Jima and Okinawa. With 8 victories to his credit during World War 11, Zeke Cormier flew in the Korean War and later as leader of the famous Blue Angels. He retir
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
McWhorter, Hamilton

Died : 2008
Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased)
Hamilton Mac McWhorter first saw combat with VF-9 flying the F4F Wildcat from the USS Ranger in strikes against Casablanca. In March 1943 he transferred to the new F6F Hellcat aboard USS Essex in the Pacific, and participated in the strikes against Marcus, Wake, Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabaul, Truk - where he scored a notable triple victory in a few minutes, and Saipan. Joining VF-12 aboard USS Randolph, he took part in strikes against Tokyo in February 1945, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Smith, Armistead Chick

Died : 2006
Captain Armistead Chick Smith (deceased)
Armistead Burwell Smith Jr. was born March 15, 1921, in Gastonia, North Carolina. He left the University of North Carolina after two years to join the Navy and was commissioned as an ensign in February 1942. In November 1942 in North Africa, he flew an F4F Wildcat off the carrier USS Ranger. Capt. Chick Smith over the course of the war, shot down 11 enemy aircraft during 87 combat missions. The first seven of the downed planes were during a 15-month period flying off the aircraft carrier Esse
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Nicolas Trudgian
£250 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £400.00

Quantity:



Mission Beyond Darkness by Robert Taylor


Mission Beyond Darkness by Robert Taylor

Following the attack against Admiral Ozawas Japanese carrier fleet on June 20, 1944, Admiral Mitscher defies all rules of naval engagement: In total darkness, with the ever-present danger of enemy submarines, he orders every ship in his Task Force 58 to switch on lights to guide over 100 returning carrier-borne aircraft, all desperately low on fuel. Amid the confusion, unable to get a landing slot aboard the USS Lexington, and now out of fuel, a pilot and his gunner scramble from their ditched SB2B Curtiss Helldiver, as a Fletcher class destroyer manoeuvres to make the pick up.
Item Code : DHM2058Mission Beyond Darkness by Robert Taylor - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Image size 34 inches x 23 inches (86cm x 58cm)
Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Gordon, Donald
Died : 2010
Captain Donald Gordon USN (deceased)
Captain Donald 'Flash' Gordon, USN joined the Navy on July 7, 1941 and was commissioned an Ensign on March 12, 1942. He served with VF-10 'Grim Reapers' flying the F4F Wildcat on his first combat tour aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and claimed two air victories. He participated in the Battle of Santa Cruz and also served briefly on Guadalcanal with the Marines. His second combat tour was also aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise with VF-10 now flying the F6F Hellcat. He would claim 4 air
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Yaussi, Ralph
Died : 2003
Lieutenant Ralph Yaussi USNR (deceased)
Ralph joined the Service in July 1942 and after his commission was soon in action flying anti-sub patrols. In December 1943, flying the SB2C Helldiver, he went aboard the USS Hornet, where his first mission under fire was at Palau Island on March 30, 1943. During the Philippine Sea action he and his gunner James Curry attacked the Japanese carrier fleet in the Mission Beyond Darkness but on the return their Helldiver ran out of fuel as he attempted to land. They were forced to ditch and were res
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Curry, James
Air Gunner James Curry
James Curry joined the Navy in August 1942 amd after training as an air gunner was posted to join Ralph Yaussi an VB2 (Air Group 2), operating the Curtis SB2C Helldiver. The first of his combat sorties was made m March 1944 flying off the USS Hornet and he participated in every island strike that the Hornet made during that tour of duty, including Truk, Guam, the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima amongst many others. James took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea when Yaussi was forced to ditch th
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Robert Taylor
£30 Off!Now : £210.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 34 inches x 23 inches (86cm x 58cm)
Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Gordon, Donald
Died : 2010
Captain Donald Gordon USN (deceased)
Captain Donald 'Flash' Gordon, USN joined the Navy on July 7, 1941 and was commissioned an Ensign on March 12, 1942. He served with VF-10 'Grim Reapers' flying the F4F Wildcat on his first combat tour aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and claimed two air victories. He participated in the Battle of Santa Cruz and also served briefly on Guadalcanal with the Marines. His second combat tour was also aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise with VF-10 now flying the F6F Hellcat. He would claim 4 air
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Yaussi, Ralph
Died : 2003
Lieutenant Ralph Yaussi USNR (deceased)
Ralph joined the Service in July 1942 and after his commission was soon in action flying anti-sub patrols. In December 1943, flying the SB2C Helldiver, he went aboard the USS Hornet, where his first mission under fire was at Palau Island on March 30, 1943. During the Philippine Sea action he and his gunner James Curry attacked the Japanese carrier fleet in the Mission Beyond Darkness but on the return their Helldiver ran out of fuel as he attempted to land. They were forced to ditch and were res
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Curry, James
Air Gunner James Curry
James Curry joined the Navy in August 1942 amd after training as an air gunner was posted to join Ralph Yaussi an VB2 (Air Group 2), operating the Curtis SB2C Helldiver. The first of his combat sorties was made m March 1944 flying off the USS Hornet and he participated in every island strike that the Hornet made during that tour of duty, including Truk, Guam, the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima amongst many others. James took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea when Yaussi was forced to ditch th
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Robert Taylor
£30 Off!Now : £325.00

Quantity:



Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor.


Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor.

Truk, the small atoll in the South Pacific, was the major anchorage for the Japanese Fleet. Comprising a magnificent harbor and four heavily defended airfields, it was thought impregnable by the US forces as they fought their way up through the Pacific. But on 16-17 February 1944 a violent two-day aerial assault by carrierborne aircraft of Task Force 58 exploded the myth. In just two days the US Navy flyers sunk over 200,000 tons of Japanese naval shipping and destroyed an estimated 275 enemy aircraft, totally eliminating all effectiveness of the Japanese base. Light as the US Navy losses were only 25 aircraft failed to return the battle for Truk was ferocious. The ground installations, ships, and airfield batteries put up intense antiaircraft fire against the attacking American aircraft, while Zeros did their best to repel the onslaught. The air above the atoll became a maelstrom of flak, tracer, flying lead and shrapnel, while below huge explosions rocked the ground as ammo and fuel.........


More Text...
Item Code : NT0007Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor. - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Aces Edition. Signed limited edition of 450 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm)
Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
McWhorter, Hamilton

Died : 2008
Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased)
Hamilton Mac McWhorter first saw combat with VF-9 flying the F4F Wildcat from the USS Ranger in strikes against Casablanca. In March 1943 he transferred to the new F6F Hellcat aboard USS Essex in the Pacific, and participated in the strikes against Marcus, Wake, Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabaul, Truk - where he scored a notable triple victory in a few minutes, and Saipan. Joining VF-12 aboard USS Randolph, he took part in strikes against Tokyo in February 1945, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Hardy, Willis E
Commander Willis E Hardy USN
Bill Hardy enlisted in the US Navy in 1939, and after working his way up through the ranks was commissioned in 1943, thereby enabling him to change from flying seaplanes to the latest fighters. Assigned to Fighting Seventeen, he flew the F6F Hellcat from the USS Hornet, and took part in the strikes against Tokyo, the landings on Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, where on 6th April 1945 he downed four Japanese planes in a day. That day also saw him make his first night-time deck landing after he remained
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Robert Taylor
£80 Off!Now : £210.00

Quantity:
War in the Pacific Edition. Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm)
Donahue, Archie

Died : 2007
Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC (deceased)
Archie Donahue was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1917. He attended schools in Wyoming until 1934 when his family moved to Texas. He had his first airplane ride at the age of eight and the flying bug bit him. Archie completed three years of engineering studies at the University of Texas before joining the Navy as an Aviation Cadet. During his training Archie was stationed at Kansas City, Jacksonville, and finally Corpus Christi. He requested a transfer to the Marine Corps, and upon his graduation he
Signature Value : £60
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Crosby, John Ted
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Commander John Ted Crosby USN
Ted Crosby joined the Navy in 1942, and was commissioned in May 1943. Serving on board USS Bunker Hill with VF-18 flying F6F Hellcats, he shared in downing a Betty bomber. Transferring to VF-17 he served on USS Hornet from January 1945 where he scored a further five victories, including three in a day on 16th April, to become a Hellcat Ace.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Dungan, Fred Buck
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN
Commissioned in October 1942, Fred Dungan joined VF(N)-76 and served with them flying the F6F Hellcat from USS Yorktown until April 1944. He then transferred with the unit to USS Hornet until July 1944, when he was wounded and sent back to hospital. He was credited with 7 victories, all in the Hellcat, including four in one day.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Duffy, James E
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Lt Commander James E Duffy USN
James Duffy joined the Navy in 1942. Designated a naval aviator he was commissioned in July 1943. Assigned to VF-15 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served aboard the USS Essex from May 1944, scoring his first victory in June. He achieved his fifth and final victory to become an Ace on 5th November 1944 against an Oscar over Luzon.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Strane, John R
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2009
Captain John R Strane USN (deceased)
One of VF-15s leading Aces with 13 victories, John Strane had joined the Navy in April 1941. Assigned to VF-15 in August 1943 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served on the USS Essex scoring his first victories - three in a day, on June 19th 1944. On 25th October he downed four Zekes in a day but was shot down into the sea and wounded, being picked up the next day by the destroyer USS Cotten. He scored his victory in November 1944. Sadly, John Roberts Strane passed away on 7th April 2009.
Signature Value : £35
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Wendorf, Ed Wendy
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN
On his very first combat mission, with VF-16, he was hit by flak, which disabled his compass and radio; downed two Japanese aircraft, was badly wounded in a dogfight, and bleeding heavily flew 120 miles back to his carrier - the USS Lexington, without flaps, tailhook, or brakes. Recovered aboard, he was sent to the sick bay, and almosy immediately the Lexington was hit by an aerial torpedo that flooded the sick quarters. He just escaped with his life! He survived to fly during the Truk raids,
Signature Value : £35
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
McWhorter, Hamilton

Died : 2008
Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased)
Hamilton Mac McWhorter first saw combat with VF-9 flying the F4F Wildcat from the USS Ranger in strikes against Casablanca. In March 1943 he transferred to the new F6F Hellcat aboard USS Essex in the Pacific, and participated in the strikes against Marcus, Wake, Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabaul, Truk - where he scored a notable triple victory in a few minutes, and Saipan. Joining VF-12 aboard USS Randolph, he took part in strikes against Tokyo in February 1945, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Hardy, Willis E
Commander Willis E Hardy USN
Bill Hardy enlisted in the US Navy in 1939, and after working his way up through the ranks was commissioned in 1943, thereby enabling him to change from flying seaplanes to the latest fighters. Assigned to Fighting Seventeen, he flew the F6F Hellcat from the USS Hornet, and took part in the strikes against Tokyo, the landings on Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, where on 6th April 1945 he downed four Japanese planes in a day. That day also saw him make his first night-time deck landing after he remained
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Robert Taylor
£395.00

Quantity:
War in the Pacific Edition. Signed limited edition of 300 prints.
Great value : Value of signatures exceeds price of item!
Image size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm)
Donahue, Archie

Died : 2007
Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC (deceased)
Archie Donahue was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1917. He attended schools in Wyoming until 1934 when his family moved to Texas. He had his first airplane ride at the age of eight and the flying bug bit him. Archie completed three years of engineering studies at the University of Texas before joining the Navy as an Aviation Cadet. During his training Archie was stationed at Kansas City, Jacksonville, and finally Corpus Christi. He requested a transfer to the Marine Corps, and upon his graduation he
Signature Value : £60
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Crosby, John Ted
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Commander John Ted Crosby USN
Ted Crosby joined the Navy in 1942, and was commissioned in May 1943. Serving on board USS Bunker Hill with VF-18 flying F6F Hellcats, he shared in downing a Betty bomber. Transferring to VF-17 he served on USS Hornet from January 1945 where he scored a further five victories, including three in a day on 16th April, to become a Hellcat Ace.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Dungan, Fred Buck
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN
Commissioned in October 1942, Fred Dungan joined VF(N)-76 and served with them flying the F6F Hellcat from USS Yorktown until April 1944. He then transferred with the unit to USS Hornet until July 1944, when he was wounded and sent back to hospital. He was credited with 7 victories, all in the Hellcat, including four in one day.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Duffy, James E
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Lt Commander James E Duffy USN
James Duffy joined the Navy in 1942. Designated a naval aviator he was commissioned in July 1943. Assigned to VF-15 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served aboard the USS Essex from May 1944, scoring his first victory in June. He achieved his fifth and final victory to become an Ace on 5th November 1944 against an Oscar over Luzon.
Signature Value : £25
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Strane, John R
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2009
Captain John R Strane USN (deceased)
One of VF-15s leading Aces with 13 victories, John Strane had joined the Navy in April 1941. Assigned to VF-15 in August 1943 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served on the USS Essex scoring his first victories - three in a day, on June 19th 1944. On 25th October he downed four Zekes in a day but was shot down into the sea and wounded, being picked up the next day by the destroyer USS Cotten. He scored his victory in November 1944. Sadly, John Roberts Strane passed away on 7th April 2009.
Signature Value : £35
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Wendorf, Ed Wendy
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN
On his very first combat mission, with VF-16, he was hit by flak, which disabled his compass and radio; downed two Japanese aircraft, was badly wounded in a dogfight, and bleeding heavily flew 120 miles back to his carrier - the USS Lexington, without flaps, tailhook, or brakes. Recovered aboard, he was sent to the sick bay, and almosy immediately the Lexington was hit by an aerial torpedo that flooded the sick quarters. He just escaped with his life! He survived to fly during the Truk raids,
Signature Value : £35
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
McWhorter, Hamilton

Died : 2008
Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased)
Hamilton Mac McWhorter first saw combat with VF-9 flying the F4F Wildcat from the USS Ranger in strikes against Casablanca. In March 1943 he transferred to the new F6F Hellcat aboard USS Essex in the Pacific, and participated in the strikes against Marcus, Wake, Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabaul, Truk - where he scored a notable triple victory in a few minutes, and Saipan. Joining VF-12 aboard USS Randolph, he took part in strikes against Tokyo in February 1945, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Signature Value : £50
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Hardy, Willis E
Commander Willis E Hardy USN
Bill Hardy enlisted in the US Navy in 1939, and after working his way up through the ranks was commissioned in 1943, thereby enabling him to change from flying seaplanes to the latest fighters. Assigned to Fighting Seventeen, he flew the F6F Hellcat from the USS Hornet, and took part in the strikes against Tokyo, the landings on Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, where on 6th April 1945 he downed four Japanese planes in a day. That day also saw him make his first night-time deck landing after he remained
Signature Value : £30
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+ Artist : Robert Taylor
£275.00

Quantity:
Portfolio Publisher Proof Edition. Signed limited edition of 75 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm)
Donahue, Archie

Died : 2007
Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC (deceased)
Archie Donahue was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1917. He attended schools in Wyoming until 1934 when his family moved to Texas. He had his first airplane ride at the age of eight and the flying bug bit him. Archie completed three years of engineering studies at the University of Texas before joining the Navy as an Aviation Cadet. During his training Archie was stationed at Kansas City, Jacksonville, and finally Corpus Christi. He requested a transfer to the Marine Corps, and upon his graduation he
Signature Value : £60
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Swett, James E

Died : 2009
Colonel James E Swett USMC MOH (deceased)
Jim Swett became one of the top-scoring F4U Aces, with 15.5 victories in 94 missions in the Corsair, but he had already earned himself the Congressional Medal of Honor piloting the F4F Wildcat before switching to the F4U. Leading a four plane section with VMF 221 on April 7, 1942 he shot down no fewer than 7 Japanese Val dive-bombers in an engagement over Tulagi Harbor, before taking a hit himself, and ditching in the sea. In all Jim Swett flew 211 combat missions, 94 in F4U Corsairs, made 120 c
Signature Value : £50
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Porter, Robert Bruce

Died : 2009
Colonel Bruce Porter USMC (deceased)
After a tour in the Pacific, Bruce joined VMF 121 in 1943 at Guadalcanal and soon downed 4 Zeros. He served tours with VMF (N) 511 (first all-Marine carrier squadron) and later VMF (N) 533. He helped lead that squadron on one of the longest over-water flights of WWII for a single engined aircraft - flying from the Marshall-Gilbert islands to Saipan-Iwo Jima. On June 15, 1945 he scored a double night victory at Okinawa, making him an Ace. He was probably the only Marine pilot to gain two or more
Signature Value : £45
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Crosby, John Ted
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Commander John Ted Crosby USN
Ted Crosby joined the Navy in 1942, and was commissioned in May 1943. Serving on board USS Bunker Hill with VF-18 flying F6F Hellcats, he shared in downing a Betty bomber. Transferring to VF-17 he served on USS Hornet from January 1945 where he scored a further five victories, including three in a day on 16th April, to become a Hellcat Ace.
Signature Value : £25
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Dungan, Fred Buck
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN
Commissioned in October 1942, Fred Dungan joined VF(N)-76 and served with them flying the F6F Hellcat from USS Yorktown until April 1944. He then transferred with the unit to USS Hornet until July 1944, when he was wounded and sent back to hospital. He was credited with 7 victories, all in the Hellcat, including four in one day.
Signature Value : £25
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Duffy, James E
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Lt Commander James E Duffy USN
James Duffy joined the Navy in 1942. Designated a naval aviator he was commissioned in July 1943. Assigned to VF-15 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served aboard the USS Essex from May 1944, scoring his first victory in June. He achieved his fifth and final victory to become an Ace on 5th November 1944 against an Oscar over Luzon.
Signature Value : £25
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Strane, John R
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2009
Captain John R Strane USN (deceased)
One of VF-15s leading Aces with 13 victories, John Strane had joined the Navy in April 1941. Assigned to VF-15 in August 1943 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served on the USS Essex scoring his first victories - three in a day, on June 19th 1944. On 25th October he downed four Zekes in a day but was shot down into the sea and wounded, being picked up the next day by the destroyer USS Cotten. He scored his victory in November 1944. Sadly, John Roberts Strane passed away on 7th April 2009.
Signature Value : £35
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Wendorf, Ed Wendy
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN
On his very first combat mission, with VF-16, he was hit by flak, which disabled his compass and radio; downed two Japanese aircraft, was badly wounded in a dogfight, and bleeding heavily flew 120 miles back to his carrier - the USS Lexington, without flaps, tailhook, or brakes. Recovered aboard, he was sent to the sick bay, and almosy immediately the Lexington was hit by an aerial torpedo that flooded the sick quarters. He just escaped with his life! He survived to fly during the Truk raids,
Signature Value : £35
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Vejtasa, Stanley Swede
Died : 2013
Captain Stanley Swede Vejtasa USN (deceased)
Commissioned in August 1939, Swede Vejtasas first combat assignment was in May 1942 whilst flying the SBD Dauntless with VS-5 aboard the USS Yorktown during the Battle of the Coral Sea. here he participated in the attack on the Japanese carrier Shoho, and flew anti-torpedo plane patrol, claiming three Zeroes. Switching to fighters with VF-10 flying the F4F Wildcat aboard the USS Enterprise he took part in the Battle of Santa Cruz, where he notched up 7 air victories on one flight in October.
Signature Value : £40
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Vraciu, Alex

Died : 2015
Commander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased)
Alexander Vraciu was born in 1918, in East Chicago. Indiana to Romanian immigrant parents, . Alex grew up enthralled by the exploits of aviator Charles Lindbergh and World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Alexander Vraciu won a scholarship to DePauw University. Due to his passion for flying he obtained his private pilots license under the governments Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at Muncie, Indiana. Vraciu graduated in 1941, and entered the Navy as pilot candidate just before Pea
Signature Value : £45
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McWhorter, Hamilton

Died : 2008
Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased)
Hamilton Mac McWhorter first saw combat with VF-9 flying the F4F Wildcat from the USS Ranger in strikes against Casablanca. In March 1943 he transferred to the new F6F Hellcat aboard USS Essex in the Pacific, and participated in the strikes against Marcus, Wake, Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabaul, Truk - where he scored a notable triple victory in a few minutes, and Saipan. Joining VF-12 aboard USS Randolph, he took part in strikes against Tokyo in February 1945, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Hardy, Willis E
Commander Willis E Hardy USN
Bill Hardy enlisted in the US Navy in 1939, and after working his way up through the ranks was commissioned in 1943, thereby enabling him to change from flying seaplanes to the latest fighters. Assigned to Fighting Seventeen, he flew the F6F Hellcat from the USS Hornet, and took part in the strikes against Tokyo, the landings on Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, where on 6th April 1945 he downed four Japanese planes in a day. That day also saw him make his first night-time deck landing after he remained
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Robert Taylor
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