Alexander Vraciu

Alexander Vraciu, from Indiana, was a U.S. Navy fighter pilot during World War II. He flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat from a number of aircraft carriers in the Pacific. Vraciu served with Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6) on board the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) in January and February 1944. With 19 confirmed air-to-air victories, Vraciu was the Navy's fourth ranked ace of the war. He shot down 7 Japanese airplanes while flying from Intrepid. Vraciu was a lieutenant junior grade during his time on Intrepid. He remained in the Navy after the war and ultimately retired with the rank of commander in 1964. Vraciu received the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross with two gold stars, among other awards.