Alfred Lerch

Alfred Lerch, who was born in Pennsylvania, enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1942. He earned his naval aviator wings in 1944. Lerch served on board the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) in 1945. He was a pilot with Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10), and he flew the Vought F4U Corsair. On April 16, 1945, Lerch shot down seven Japanese aircraft, becoming an ace in a day. According to the VF-10 squadron history, this was the first and only time that Lerch encountered airborne Japanese aircraft. Intrepid was struck by a kamikaze airplane that same day, sending the ship home for repairs. Lerch was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions that date.