WW II USMC Marine VMF 121 Squadron History of Joe Foss Flying ACE Book for Sale

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WW II USMC Marine VMF 121 Squadron History of Joe Foss Flying ACE Book For Sale

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WW II USMC Marine VMF 121 Squadron History of Joe Foss Flying ACE Book:
$28.00

This is an excellent history of one of the life and military service of the famous medal of honor winner Joe Foss of VMF 123

After beingdesignated a Naval Aviator, Foss graduated at Pensacola, Florida and wascommissioned as a second lieutenant, then served as a "plowback"instructor at Naval Air Station Pensacola. At 26 years of age, he wasconsidered too old to be a fighter pilot, and was instead sent to the NavySchool of Photography. Upon completion of his initial assignment, he wastransferred to Marine Photographic Squadron 1 (VMO-1) stationed at Naval AirStation North Island in San Diego, California. Dissatisfied with his role inphotographic reconnaissance, Foss made repeated requests to be transferred to afighter qualification program. He checked out in Grumman F4F Wildcats while stillassigned to VMO-1, logging over 150 flight hours in June and July, 1942, andwas eventually transferred to Marine Fighting Squadron 121 VMF-121 as theexecutive officer. While stateside, Foss married his high school sweetheart,June Shakstad in 1942.

In October1942, VMF-121 pilots and aircraft were sent to Guadalcanal as part of OperationWatchtower to relieve VMF-223, which had been fighting for control of the airover the island since mid-August. On October 9, Foss and his group werecatapult launched off the USS Copahee escort carrier and flew 350 miles (560km) north to reach Guadalcanal. The air group, code named "Cactus",based at Henderson Field became known as the Cactus Air Force, and theirpresence played a pivotal role in the Battle of Guadalcanal.

This reprinted book has 173 Pages in this 8 1/2 x 11 staple bound format.