Page 64
BuNo 72534, Ens. Donald McPherson, Bill Kingston, Jr., Lyttleton Ward,
VF-83, USS Essex (CV-9), May 1945
Lt. Leo Bob McCuddin, VF-20, USS Enterprise (CV-6), October 1944
Starting from the end of January 1945, US Navy
aircraft in the Pacific carried striking geometric
symbols. Two white triangles belonged to aircraft
of the USS Essex. White 115 also sported an
emblem consisting of a skull and crossbones
and the inscription “Death and Destruction”.
The victory marks painted on the cockpit sides
possibly included all the success achieved by
the pilots who flew the plane. White 115 was
mostly flown by Ensigns Donald McPherson,
Bill Kingston, Jr., and Lyttleton Ward. The last
mentioned downed three Alfs and one Oscar
during one of the most concentrated kamikaze
attacks on TF-58 ships on May 4, 1945. During this
event Ward attained the ace status
Famous Navy pilot Leo Bob McCuddin flew this
aircraft on many of his combat sorties. He flew
F6F Hellcats as a pilot with VF-20 from the USS
Enterprise from April 1944. All five of his victories
were gained during his combat tour with
VF-20. He participated in the attack on the “Fuso”
Class battleship and in the sinking of an escort
destroyer during the Battle of the Philippine Sea
on October 24 and 25, 1944.
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KITS 04/2024
INFO Eduard64
April 2024