Alexander Vraciu
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* 2nd November 1918 + 29th January 2015 Vraciu was US fighter pilot who entered combat in October 1943, flying from USS Independence (CVL-22). He scored his first victory during a strike against Wake Island on October 10, 1943. Later joined VF-16 in USS Lexington (CV-16).Vraciu's greatest day in combat occurred during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" on June 19, 1945. Despite a malfunctioning supercharger, he intercepted a formation of Japanese dive bombers and "splashed" six in a period of eight minutes. |
| Commander Vraciu was a leading United States Navy fighter ace during World War II. He ended the war as the Navy's fourth ranking ace with 19 victories. |