El Toro Details
Tony:
The LCpl already had his license when he took the A-4 for the joyride (which, by the way, was at 0200 at night, if memory serves).
Pretty sure he was a plane captain, and therefore familiar with the jet. He was trying to get an officer slot/pilot slot in the Marines, but could not pass the color vision test. He already held some kind of record (or distance achievement) in sailplanes.
So to prove he was worthy, he stole the A-4 and flew patterns for a half an hour or so until he landed and taxied in. (Supposedly arrested in the chocks after shutting down). Actually, pretty impressive he could solo the Skyhawk (and land it in one piece) at night, with no prior experience in it!
A buddy of mine was in that squadron, and thankful he wasn't the duty officer that night!