World War II United States Flying Ace. A highly-decorated commander, he earned the distinction of being the fourth-ranking Naval Ace, after downing nineteen Japanese enemy aircraft during World War II. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor and received the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Two Gold Stars and an Air Medal with Three Gold Stars. He studied at DePauw University and following graduation, he began his Naval flight training and earned his wings in August of 1942. He was assigned to fly F6F Grumman Hellcats from carriers and gained experience as a wingman to Medal of Honor recipient Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare. During this period, he downed his first enemy plane at Wake Island. On June 19, 1944 as part of a task force protecting the Saipan landings, he shot down six enemy dive bombers in eight minutes. Following the war, he remained in the Navy and was assigned to command his own squadron. After retiring from the Navy in 1964, he worked for Wells Fargo Bank. His biography "Fighter Pilot: The World War II Career of Alex Vraciu" (written by Ray E. Boomhower) was published in 2010.
World War II United States Flying Ace. A highly-decorated commander, he earned the distinction of being the fourth-ranking Naval Ace, after downing nineteen Japanese enemy aircraft during World War II. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor and received the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Two Gold Stars and an Air Medal with Three Gold Stars. He studied at DePauw University and following graduation, he began his Naval flight training and earned his wings in August of 1942. He was assigned to fly F6F Grumman Hellcats from carriers and gained experience as a wingman to Medal of Honor recipient Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare. During this period, he downed his first enemy plane at Wake Island. On June 19, 1944 as part of a task force protecting the Saipan landings, he shot down six enemy dive bombers in eight minutes. Following the war, he remained in the Navy and was assigned to command his own squadron. After retiring from the Navy in 1964, he worked for Wells Fargo Bank. His biography "Fighter Pilot: The World War II Career of Alex Vraciu" (written by Ray E. Boomhower) was published in 2010.
Bio by: C.S.
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