US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II

US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II cover

US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II

Description

The US Marine Corps has a long heritage of aviation excellence, a reputation that was largely built on the impact and performance of the “flying leathernecks” in the bitter fighting in the Pacific during World War II.

As the US island-hopping campaign against Japan gathered pace, US Marine Corps fighter squadrons operating legendary Grumman and Vought aircraft became instrumental in the success of amphibious assaults and in breaking fierce enemy resistance, engaging Japanese attack aircraft in the skies and ground-based targets while supporting and protecting US ground forces.

The flying legends Marion Carl, Greg “Pappy” Boyington, Joe Foss and others were all World War II Marine fighter pilots, taking to the skies in Corsairs, Wildcats, Venturas and Hellcats. Aviation historian Barrett Tillman's comprehensive account US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II pays homage to these individuals and their mounts, and is packed with historic and organizational details of the squadrons who took to the skies above the Pacific.

Table of Contents

Prologue

The Fighters
Armament
US Marine Corps Fighter Aviation in World War II - An Overview
Us Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons Deployed During World War II
Biographies
Medal of Honor Citations
Who is the Leading Marine Ace?
The Combat Strategy and Tactics of Maj Gregory Boyington
Wartime Interview with Capt J. J. Foss
List of Illustrations

Appendices
Top 20 US Marine Corps Fighting Squadrons
Top Squadrons by Aircraft
US Marine Corps Medal of Honor Fighter Pilots
The Aces
Aces per Squadron
US Marine Corps Double Aces
First 25 US Marine Corps Aces
Leading US Marine Corps Aces
US Marine Corps Aces in a Day
Carrier Fighter Squadron Victory Totals
Top-Scoring US Marine Corps Carrier Pilots
US Marine Corps Aces who Died in World War II
Aces by Aircraft Type
Leading US Marine Corps Pilots by Aircraft Type
US Marine Corps Nightfighter Squadron Scores
Top US Marine Corps Nightfighter Pilots
Highest Daily Fighter Claims
Highest Squadron Daily Claims
Miscellany
US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons deployed during World War II (six-month intervals)
Deployed US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II
Non-deployed US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II
Current US Marine Fighter and Attack Squadrons with World War II Heritage
Selected World War II Aviation Airfields

Selected Sources
Index

Product details

Published 20 May 2014
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 336
ISBN 9781782009535
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 60 b/w; 40 col
Series General Aviation
Short code GNA
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Barrett Tillman

Barrett Tillman is a professional author and speak…

Resources

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