The First Hellcat Ace

by Hamilton McWhorter, Jay A. Stout Narrated by Chris Abernathy

Overview

Hamilton McWhorter III's service to family and country make him a standout among America's Greatest Generation. A Georgia native whose family roots date from that region's settlement during the 1700s, McWhorter was a naval aviation cadet undergoing training when Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941. After earning his Wings of Gold in early 1942, Ensign McWhorter was trained as a fighter pilot in the robust but technologically outmoded F4F Wildcat. Initially assigned to VF-9, he saw first combat in November 1942 against Vichy French forces in North Africa.



After returning to the United States, VF-9 became the first unit to convert to the new Grumman F6F Hellcat. This was the fighter the U.S. Navy would use to crush Japanese air power during the long offensive from the Southwest Pacific to the shores of Japan. From mid-1943, McWhorter was engaged in the aerial warfare that characterized the battles against Imperial Japan. His fifth aerial victory, in November 1943 off Tarawa Atoll, made him the first ace in the Hellcat, and seven subsequent victories ensured his place in the annals of air-to-air combat.



McWhorter's combat service, from the beginning of the war to the last campaign off the shores of Okinawa, makes his story a must-listen for the serious student of the Pacific air war.

Editorial Reviews

With the assistance of professional writer Jay A. Stout, Hamilton McWhorter has written an informative and compelling memoir of his experiences in World War II, beginning with his status as a naval aviation cadet undergoing training when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. McWhorter earned his Wings of gold in early 1942 and as Ensign McWhorter trained to be a fighter pilot on an outmoded F3F wildcat. He first saw combat during November 1942 in North African against the Vichy French. Upon returning stateside, McWhorter and his VF-o unite converted to the new Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters and from mid-1943 was constantly engaged in deadly aerial warfare against Imperial Japanese forces. He became the first ace in the Hellcat during the action off Tarawa Atoll in November 1943, and seven subsequent victories ensured his place in the annals of air-to-air combat. The First Hellcat Ace is a vividly told, informatively presented, thoroughly engaging military biography from first page to last — and highly recommended reading for all World War II military and aviation history buffs.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192376690
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	08/27/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged