Jim MacDonald wrote:
F6FDriver,
Would love to hear more of your experiences, not only with the Wolverine, but with VF-12 as well. Since you qualified in late '42, were you in another squadron besides VF-12 or did you do two tours with VF-12?
Thanks in advance,
Mac
How do I reply? well, mac, here goes ... I was in Original Air group 12 formed in san diego in 1942, I was in VB-12
for that tour ( they went aboard Saratoga, which forced a reduction in pilots ..I was left on shore...BAH) then in 1944 I joined VB-12 in Alameda, then to Fallon ,nevada...when the Navy increased fighter numbers I quickly volunteered!then the Navy decided to use marine F4U's on carriers and two divisions (8) of us were transferred to VF-12! back in sandiego, again! this time I was able to complete tour and enjoyed serving under Noel AM Gayler,FNMichaelis both later full admirals..one of my wingmen,Roy Bruce has chronicled our tour in "Crommelin's
Thunderbirds" USNavalInstitute, and also Amazon books.HIGHLY recommended (by ME!)YES, my name is rex d thompson, listed in Crommelin's Thunderbirds, as LT. and served in post war years finally received Fighter squadron COMMAND, alas it came to an end when VISION failed...BAH!