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VF-15 Founded :
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VF-15
| Aces for : VF-15 | ||
| A list of all Aces from our database who are known to have flown with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking the pilots name. | ||
| Name | Victories | Info |
| David McCampbell | 34.00 | The signature of David McCampbell features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
| John Roberts Strane | 13.00 | The signature of John Roberts Strane features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
| James E Duffy | 5.00 | The signature of James E Duffy features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
| Aircraft for : VF-15 | |||
| A list of all aircraft known to have been flown by VF-15. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | |||
| Squadron | Info | ||
Manufacturer : Grumman Number Built : 12000 | Hellcat The Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat was to become the US Navys primary carrier borne fighter plane during World War II. Over 12,000 Hellcats were produced, and the Hellcat was credited with 4,947 of the 6,477 kills of enemy planes downed by carrier pilots during the War. The Hellcat had a top speed of 375 MPH, a range of 1,089 miles and was armed with six machine guns. The aircraft was powered by an 18-cylinder Pratt and Whitney, air-cooled, radial engine which generated 2,000 horsepower. | ||
| Signatures for : VF-15 | |||||
| A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | |||||
| Name | Info | ||||
Lt Commander James E Duffy USN Click the name above to see prints signed by Lt Commander James E Duffy USN
| Lt Commander James E Duffy USN James Duffy joined the Navy in 1942. Designated a naval aviator he was commissioned in July 1943. Assigned to VF-15 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served aboard the USS Essex from May 1944, scoring his first victory in June. He achieved his fifth and final victory to become an Ace on 5th November 1944 against an Oscar over Luzon. | ||||
 Captain David McCampbell Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Captain David McCampbell
| Captain David McCampbell David McCampbell is the highest scoring ace in the history of the United States Navy. A 1933 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he was selected for pilot training in 1937. McCampbell flew with the Red Rippers of VF-4 on the USS Ranger, and was later assigned to the USS Wasp where he served as signal landing officer until the Wasp was lost in September 1942. McCampbell was given command of VF-15 in September of 1943 when this new unit was commissioned at the Atlantic City Naval Air Station. This new unit was equipped with the Grumman F6F Hellcat, which would prove to be superior to the Japanese aircraft which had dominated aerial combat during the early months of the War in the Pacific. VF-15 was initially assigned to the USS Hornet, and during the Hornet's shakedown cruise McCampbell was promoted to Air Group Commander. In May of 1944 Air Group 15 was reassigned to the USS Essex, which took part in the action against the Marianas later that month. On June 19, McCampbell participated in what has been referred to as the biggest carrier battle in the history of naval warfare. McCampbell scored seven victories on that day. During the Marianas campaign Air Group 15 was credited with 104 aerial victories and an additional 136 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. The Group also sank 22 enemy ships, and damaged an additional 38 more. During further battles in the Philippines and Formosa, McCampbell continued to achieve victory after victory, despite instructions by his Admiral to avoid taking part in scrambles. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 24, 1944, the Japanese launched three waves of planes totaling in excess of 150 aircraft. The initial wave of this attack was met head-on by only 7 Hellcats including Dave 's. During this engagement, McCampbell shot down eleven enemy aircraft, nine of which were confirmed. On November 5 McCampbell attained his last multiple victory by downing a WaP over Subic Bay, and then a 7eke. Air Group 15 shot down 138 Japanese aircraft and destroyed another 117 on the ground during its final month of operations in the Philippines. The entire unit was awarded a Presidential Citation, and McCampbell was invited to the White House where he was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Franklin Roosevelt. With 34 confirmed aerial victories to his credit, McCampbell also received the Navy Cross, The Legion of Merit, The Silver Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. McCampbell modestly credited his success to his ability to conserve both fuel and ammunition. However, it is safe to say that this greatest of all US Navy fighter aces was also both a great pilot, and an excellent marksman. Captain McCampbell passed away on 30th June 1996. | ||||
Captain John R Strane USN Click the name above to see prints signed by Captain John R Strane USN
| Captain John R Strane USN One of VF-15s leading Aces with 13 victories, John Strane had joined the Navy in April 1941. Assigned to VF-15 in August 1943 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served on the USS Essex scoring his first victories - three in a day, on June 19th 1944. On 25th October he downed four Zekes in a day but was shot down into the sea and wounded, being picked up the next day by the destroyer USS Cotten. He scored his victory in November 1944. Sadly, John Roberts Strane passed away on 7th April 2009. | ||||
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