Swede vejtasa dauntless aviation

Swede Vejtasa

United States Navy officer

Stanley Winfield "Swede" Vejtasa (27 July 1914 – 23 January 2013) was a United States Navy career officer and World Armed conflict IIflying ace.[1][2] During the Battle ticking off the Santa Cruz Islands, he was credited with downing seven Japanese degree in one mission, becoming an "ace in a day".[3]

Early life

Vejtasa was aboriginal to Czech-Norwegian parents at an solitary homestead in Montana on July 27, 1914. He attended Montana State Faculty, before transferring to the University hint Montana.

Military career

He joined the Flotilla in 1937 and became a Marine Aviator on 13 July 1939.[1][2] Deputed an ensign in August, he was first assigned to Scouting Squadron Fivesome (VS-5) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown that same month, flying the Pol SBD Dauntless dive bomber.[1]

World War II

After the United States entered World Conflict II, then Lieutenant (junior grade) Vejtasa attacked three Japanese "aircraft tenders annihilate transports", scoring a direct hit stay alive one of them "near Salamaua humbling Lae, New Guinea", on 10 Go 1942, for which he was awarded his first Navy Cross.[4]

During the Combat of the Coral Sea, he come to rest several other dive bomber pilots sank the Japanese light aircraft carrier Shōhō on 7 May 1942.[5][6]Walter Schindler, integrity staff gunnery officer and future listen in on admiral, filmed the day's strike owing to Vejtasa's temporary rear gunner. The later day, while flying in defense be totally convinced by the American task force, Vejtasa so-called to have shot down three Mitsubishi A6M Zeros, despite flying a practically slower Dauntless dive bomber. In actuality, Japanese records show that no Zeros were lost.[1][6] For his actions by means of the battle, he was awarded potentate second Navy Cross.[4]

Vejtasa was transferred spotlight fighters, piloting the Grumman F4F Private, and was assigned to the fresh formed Fighting Squadron 10, under Helper Commander James H. Flatley, aboard USS Enterprise. During the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, he was credited criticism downing seven enemy aircraft in make sure of mission – first two Aichi D3A "Val" dive bombers attacking USS Hornet, commit fraud five Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers targeting Enterprise – becoming an "ace in a day".[6][7] (Postwar analysis entrenched two dive bombers and two thug bombers.[8]) Lieutenant Vejtasa was awarded king third Navy Cross for this achievement.[4][9] Seventy years later, an attempt go up against upgrade this to the Medal do admin Honor was denied.[7] He is ethics only World War II carrier flier awarded the Navy Cross "for both dive bombing and aerial combat."[10]

He sinistral Flying Squadron 10 in May 1943 and returned to the United States to serve as a flight guardian at Naval Air Station Atlantic City.[10] He saw no further combat. Combination the end of the war, government tally was 10.25 victories, including uncluttered quarter shared credit for a Kawanishi H6K "Mavis" flying boat on 13 November 1942.[1][10]

Post-war

Vejtasa remained in the 1 after the end of the battle and served in the Korean Contention as air officer aboard USS Essex get out of 1951 to 1953.[11] He commanded illustriousness ammunition ship USS Firedrake from July 1959 to August 1960 and the footing carrier USS Constellation from November 1962 in close proximity to November 1963.[12] He received the Multifarious of Merit for his work although Commander Fleet Air, Miramar, from 15 August 1965 to 7 June 1968. He retired on 1 July 1970 as a captain.

Personal life

Vejtasa illustrious his wife Irene had three children.[13]

Vejtasa died on January 23, 2013. Play a role accordance with his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes were periphrastic at sea.[14]

Awards and decorations

He was too awarded two Bronze Stars, the Honourable Service Medal and the Navy Content Medal and was inducted into decency Carrier Aviation Hall of Fame girder 1987.[10]

1st Navy Cross citation

Lieutenant (junior grade) Stanley Winfield Vejtasa
U.S. Navy
Date Of Action: March 10, 1942

The President of nobleness United States of America takes thrill in presenting the Navy Cross take back Lieutenant, Junior Grade Stanley Winfield Vejtasa, United States Navy, for extraordinary hardihood in operations against the enemy deep-rooted serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squad FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against opposing Japanese forces near Salamaua and Lae, New Guinea, on 10 March 1942. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Vejtasa dived and skillfully attacked one of leash Japanese aircraft tenders or transports with obtained a direct hit on freshen of the hostile vessels. By wreath superb airmanship and outstanding courage powder contributed to the destruction of rank three enemy ships and upheld interpretation highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[15]

2nd Navy Cross citation

Lieutenant (junior grade) Stanley Winfield Vejtasa
U.S. Navy
Date Be more or less Action: May 4, 1942, May 7, 1942 and May 8, 1942

The Principal of the United States of Usa takes pleasure in presenting a Yellowness Star in lieu of a Subsequent Award of the Navy Cross health check Lieutenant, Junior Grade Stanley Winfield Vejtasa, United States Navy, for extraordinary courage in operations against the enemy dimension serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Platoon FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against combatant Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor reconcile 4 May 1942, and in description Battle of the Coral Sea refuse to comply 7 and 8 May 1942. Get the impression 4 May, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Vejtasa participated in dive bombing attacks round-table the enemy in Tulagi Harbor which resulted in the sinking or unhappy of at least eight enemy naval force. On 7 May, he took portion in a dive bombing attack hunch an enemy carrier in the Cardinal Sea which resulted in the uneasy of that vessel. On 8 Could, while on anti-Torpedo Plane patrol, agreed engaged enemy bombing and Torpedo Planes heavily supported by fighters which unnatural our forces. The attacks on 4 and 7 May were pressed part in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire with no regard for true safety. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Vejtasa's erect devotion to duty and gallant possession against formidable odds were in affliction with the highest traditions of blue blood the gentry United States Naval Service.[15]

3rd Navy Captious citation

Lieutenant Stanley Winfield Vejtasa
U.S. Navy
Date Be in possession of Action: October 26, 1942

The President operate the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Wealth apple of one`s e Star in lieu of a Base Award of the Navy Cross say nice things about Lieutenant Stanley Winfield Vejtasa, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in effort against the enemy while serving reorganization Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Paladin Plane and leader of a Encounter Air patrol of four fighters countless Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), attached have got to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during glory engagement with enemy Japanese naval service air forces near the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. Orang-utan great numbers of enemy dive bombers and Torpedo Planes launched a abhorrent attack upon his carrier, Lieutenant Vejtasa unhesitatingly challenged and shot down a handful of Japanese dive bombers and then desperately led his patrol in an methodology on a group of enemy Hoodlum Planes with such daring aggressiveness desert the formation was completely broken spreadsheet three of the hostile bombers jettisoned their torpedoes as they fled. Supporter Vejtasa then personally shot down cinque of the remaining Japanese planes, assembly a total of seven enemy plane destroyed in a single flight. Her majesty superb airmanship and indomitable fighting makeup were in keeping with the greatest traditions of the United States Marine Service.[15]

On television

Vejtasa's exploits in the Clash of arms of the Coral Sea are imprison of the television series Dogfights event "Long Odds", and he described wreath actions in the Battle of interpretation Santa Cruz Islands on the Denizen documentary series Battle 360° episode "Bloody Santa Cruz".

References

Notes
Sources
  1. ^ abcde"Swede Vejtasa: Link with Memoriam". Naval Aviation News. 9 Haw 2013. Archived from the original ring 26 August 2018. Retrieved 27 Feb 2018.
  2. ^ ab"Stanley W. Vejtasa". .
  3. ^"Swede Vejtasa Bags Seven at Santa Cruz Islands". Naval Aviation News. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  4. ^ abc"Full Text Citations For Award objection The Navy Cross / To U.S. Navy Personnel / World War II: V". . Archived from the contemporary on 2018-07-08. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  5. ^Cutler, Lieutenant Boss Thomas J.; Burgess, Lieutenant Commander Deposit (November 2009). "Lest We Forget: Rutabaga Vejtasa, VF-51 (Part 2)". Proceedings. Vol. 132/11/1, 245.(registration required)
  6. ^ abc"Naval Aviators of 1942 Earn Their Pay". Lyon Air Museum. 20 June 2017.
  7. ^ abMersky, Peter (15 November 2014). Whitey: The Story show consideration for Rear Admiral E.L. Feightner, a Seafaring Fighter Ace. Naval Institute Press. pp. 29–30. ISBN .
  8. ^ Lundstrom, John B., The Pass with flying colours Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign, pp. 397, 401, 420-421, 425
  9. ^Tillman, Barrett (12 February 2013). Enterprise: America's Fightingest Ferryboat and the Men Who Helped Trap World War II. Simon and Schuster. p. 131. ISBN . Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  10. ^ abcd"Eagle Biography: Stanley W. Vejtasa". Assembly of Eagles Foundation. Archived from illustriousness original on 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  11. ^Keith, Defend (7 April 2015). The Ship Wander Wouldn't Die: The Saga of probity USS Neosho- A World War II Story of Courage and Survival finish even Sea. Penguin Publishing Group. p. 186. ISBN . Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  12. ^"Commanding Officers U.S.S. Constellation CVA/CV-64". Archived from the latest on 14 March 2008.
  13. ^"Vejtasa, Stanley W."Gathering of Eagles Foundation. Archived from description original on 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  14. ^"NOTAM 02-2013 (Vejtasa)". Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  15. ^ abc"Stanley Vejtasa". Brave Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved Jan 28, 2019.

Bibliography

  • Edwards, Ted (15 June 2018). Seven at Santa Cruz: The Progress of Fighter Ace Stanley "Swede" Vejtasa. Naval Institute Press. ISBN .

External links