S2E2: Marines over Guadalcanal, WW2: Part 2 Captain Marion Carl, USMC, F4F Wildcat pilot

The Aviation Medals of Honor

While not a Medal of Honor recipient, Marion Carl was twice decorated with the Navy Cross during a combat career that spanned Midway to Vietnam. This episode looks at the life of one of the Corps most accomplished aviators. Along the way, I’ll touch on the Marines at the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal living conditions, the Coastwatchers, a test pilot career that briefly made Carl “the fastest man alive”, and aircraft from the F4F Wildcat to the F-4 Phantom.

Selected readings:

Pushing the Envelope: The Career of Fighter Ace and Test Pilot Marion Carl , Major General Marion Carl with Barrett Tillman

A History of Marine Attack Squadron 223, History and Museums Division HQMC

Lonely Vigil: Coastwatchers of the Solomons, Walter Lord

Harnessing the Sky, Frederick Trapnell Jr and Dana Trapnell Tibbitts

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