Profiles in Courage: USMC Wildcat Ace Downs 7 Japanese Bombers on his First Combat Patrol During WWII
This short video, which includes WWII photos, is a prime example of that Great Generation !
Thank you, Steven.
Posted on April 9, 2016, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, History, Military, Military History, nostalgia, Pacific, Tributes, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 29 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
He sure gave himself a hard act to follow! That must be an all-time record for a first combat.
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I would think so!!! Talk about baptism under fire, eh?
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A hero for sure. It was amazing he survived… –Curt
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Yes it is, Curt. And when it comes to this war – we continue to say that very statement over and over again. I find these troops amazing!
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A great story! Morphine and scotch for pain…yes, I bet he was in quite a bit of pain after that!
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Too bad we don’t have a “tongue-in-cheek” smiley for your comment, Lavinia, because it sounds as though you are a bit sacracstic there… are you suggesting he was a bit under the weather? [snicker-snicker]
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I actually hadn’t thought of it that way, but now that you mention it, I bet he was in a bit of pain after the “ride” was over! 🙂 I had all four wisdom teeth removed with just Novocaine way back when (16 shots in the gums) . I got to see everything being done. Didn’t bother me until evening when that wore off… No, I was thinking more about the old American west, and even the Civil War, and how often the the only anesthetic available was a probably bottle of whiskey. Imagine undergoing amputation, dental surgery, bullet removal, etc that way. Yikes! I don’t know how much of that happened during WWII, but I can only imagine what field conditions were like in terms of pain management.
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Ether, I believe was invented near the end of the Civil War, but as you say – the pain!!! Hopefully you pass out before it becomes a threat to your sanity. In WWII, it depended on who and where you were being treated. I appreciate all your interest.
[Strange, but I was only just thinking about Michael’s tree a little while ago…..]
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Great story and thanks to all your visits to my blog
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Thank you. My visits to you are definitely MY pleasure, Marylou!
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What a story from a remarkable man. That video was a revelation … should be required viewing.
Thank you
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Wouldn’t it be terrific if we could make it so? Thanks for your comment, LB – hopefully many more will take the time to view it as well!
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An ace in his first battle. A remarkable achievement.
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Talk about baptism under fire, eh? He received it first time out, yikes!!
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Must have been scary to say the least!
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The end of the video is very stirring.
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Isn’t it great?!! I appreciate you stopping in today and viewing it, Lloyd.
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Always happy to stop by GP.
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THAT compliment is the best!
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You deserve it. Thanks for checking out my stuff too. 🙂
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No problem. Great blog!
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That’s an amazing story. Makes me proud to be American.
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Isn’t it something else! So glad you found this interesting, Jacqui. But, then again, you are always there for me.
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Thanks for finding this one. What a great story.
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Steven and I had the same idea, but once I saw his, I realized he had done a far better job at it!! I’m glad it interested you, Dan.
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Quite the story.
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Yes it is!
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A stirring tale of bravery in the skies over Guadalcanal. Although much is written about the ground fighting there, the air war is often neglected.
Best wishes, Pete.
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They were quite a bunch of men!
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