Profiles in Courage: USMC Wildcat Ace Downs 7 Japanese Bombers on his First Combat Patrol During WWII

Apr 9

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This short video, which includes WWII photos, is a prime example of that Great Generation !
Thank you, Steven.

About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on April 9, 2016, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 29 Comments.

  1. colonialist | April 15, 2016 at 4:39 PM

    He sure gave himself a hard act to follow! That must be an all-time record for a first combat.

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  2. Curt Mekemson | April 10, 2016 at 9:38 PM

    A hero for sure. It was amazing he survived… –Curt

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  3. Lavinia Ross | April 10, 2016 at 7:07 PM

    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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    • GP Cox | April 11, 2016 at 5:41 AM

      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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      • Lavinia Ross | April 11, 2016 at 10:35 AM

        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! đŸ™‚ 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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        • GP Cox | April 11, 2016 at 2:21 PM

          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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  4. natuurfreak | April 10, 2016 at 6:00 PM

    Great story and thanks to all your visits to my blog

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. LB | April 10, 2016 at 4:16 PM

    What a story from a remarkable man. That video was a revelation … should be required viewing.
    Thank you

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  6. Aviationtrails | April 9, 2016 at 1:40 PM

    An ace in his first battle. A remarkable achievement.

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  7. Lloyd Marken | April 9, 2016 at 10:53 AM

    The end of the video is very stirring.

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  8. Jacqui Murray | April 9, 2016 at 10:25 AM

    That’s an amazing story. Makes me proud to be American.

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  9. Dan Antion | April 9, 2016 at 8:12 AM

    Thanks for finding this one. What a great story.

    Liked by 2 people

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  10. beetleypete | April 9, 2016 at 7:19 AM

    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.

    Liked by 3 people

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