I'd like to share some great photos I just recently found of my grandfather from WWII and to also ask a question that the military membership on this board might be able to provide some guidance on.

First, my grandfather. He was a USN fighter pilot during WWII and Korea. He flew mostly Wildcats and Hellcats, but also has time in Corsairs and Skyraiders. I don't know much about his service beyond this other than that he was a part of VX-1 and VF-185 (I can't find anything about VF-185) at some point. He is the man responsible for hooking me on aviation when I was a little boy!

Second, the question: Is there any channel in which I can seek out the service record/information about my grandfather? I am highly interested in finding out more about his service with the USN, but, while he is still with us, his mental health at 90 years old has deteriorated greatly due to dementia and as such, his memory sadly no longer holds the answers to my questions.

Anyways, enjoy the photos!

Can anyone ID this aircraft? I know it isn't a Stearman, but I can't figure it out.

 

Top Right:


Second Row, Far Left:

 

Thank you for sharing the pictures...

 

Awesome!!!

 

Wow.. Great pictures. You are so lucky to have found such treasures for you to keep of your grandfather. Looking at the pictures brought tears to my eyes!! Simply Awesome!!

Thank you for sharing..

 

Waco UPF-7, prolly CPT early on. Small world, I went to grade school with Bill Davies kids. VF-185 picture.

 

If I recall correctly, a friend who was a Naval Aviator said the museum at Pensacola had the records on every Navy and Marine Corps aviator. Might be a good place to start.

National Naval Aviation Museum - Home

Good luck!

 

Great preservation of aviation history.

 

Small world indeed!

Thanks for the tip. I'll look into that. It's been awhile since I've been there. Fantastic museum.

 

Nice Find in the attic. The plane is probably a Waco but it could be any number of the early airplanes. I would send an email to the Vintage group at EAA. Somebody there will know the answer.