The Heroes of Marine Aviation

By Avi Heiligman

now considered the birthday of marine aviation. By the time the United States entered World War I in 1917, he was considered among the military’s most experienced pilots. He recruited volunteers and flew combat missions while deployed in France. Cunningham was awarded the Navy Cross for organizing and training marine pilots during the war which battles, and on October 18, 1918, he was pursued by nine German planes before shooting one out of the sky. A few days later, his plane and another plane were attacked by twelve enemy aircraft. Talbot shot down one of the planes, but then his guns jammed. He then maneuvered the plane away from the fight while his gunner unjammed the guns before going played a crucial part in the American involvement in France. After the war, he became the first director of Marine Corps Aviation.

Marine aviation rapidly grew during World War II. Units were very active in the Pacific on both on aircraft carriers and island air bases. Many planes and air crews were assigned to fly missions on Guadalcanal in 1942 including Jewish Sergeant Joseph Gorchoff of Chicago. He was a Civil Aeronautics pilot before joining the Marine Air Corps and was then assigned to fly as a gunner, bombardier and radioman on a torpedo plane. Flying missions in the South Pacific, he was awarded the Air Medal and Presidential Unit Citation while taking part in several air battles over Guadalcanal. He is also credited in assisting in the destruction of a Japanese battleship in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942.

Ralph Talbot became the first marine aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. The Massachusetts native was first in the navy before joining the Marines as he saw it as an opportunity to become a pilot. While in France, he participated in several air back to the aerial dogfight. Even though his gunner collapsed from his wounds, Talbot proceeded to shoot down another plane. At this point, Talbot was over the German trenches, so he flew to the closest American aid station and landed to get his gunner medical attention.

Talbot was killed when his plane crashed on takeoff during a test flight on October 25, 1918.

Fighter pilot Jefferson DeBlanc was also present at Guadalcanal and is credited with shooting down nine Japanese planes over the course of World War II. Born in Louisiana, DeBlanc first enlisted with the U.S. Naval Reserve in July 1941 and went through flight training. He was then commissioned in the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1942 where he learned to fly the F4F Wildcat fighter. Assigned to VMF-113, he was sent to join the planes on Henderson Field at Guadalcanal known as the Cactus Air Force. On No - vember 13, DeBlanc shot down three Japanese “Betty” bombers that were trying to attack Allied shipping. In January 1943, his engine failed, and he made a water landing. Within three hours, he was rescued and back with his squadron.

On the last day of January, DeBlanc was on a mission over Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands where he shot down two enemy floatplanes. He then noticed ten Japanese “Oscar” fighters about to attack the dive bombers that he was escorting. The American attacked them from underneath and scored a kill. DeBlanc’s wingman was shot down while attempt- ing to perform a defensive maneuver. Another Wildcat saved DeBlanc from being shot down. Then, as he was trying to disengage, DeBlanc was attacked by two more Japanese fighters. He shot these two out of the sky, making him an ace in a day. However, he failed to notice another Japanese fighter, which forced him to bail out of his Wildcat. DeBlanc reached the water, but it took several hours to reach the shore in his life jacket due to his wounds. Indigenous people found him after three days, and eventually he made contact with two Australian Coastwatchers. Thirteen days after bailing out of his plane, he was rescued by a PBY flying boat and finally was able to receive proper medical attention for his wounds.

DeBlanc recovered and, after stint in the U.S., returned to the Pacific for a second tour of duty. He took part in the Okinawa campaign and shot down one more enemy aircraft. For his actions on January 31, 1943, DeBlanc was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Many celebrities served with the armed forces and perhaps the biggest name to become a marine airman was Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams. He flew during World War II and the Korean

War and often was the wingman of future astronaut and senator John Glenn. Marine aviators continue the legacy started by Cunningham and the pilots he trained for the first marine aviation unit. Today, marine aviation has greatly expanded. Their skill and expertise make them heroes not to be forgotten.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.