Got Swede Vejtasa on the Phone Yesterday...

[lesofprimus]

Talked to Swede Vejtasa yesterday for about 15 minutes... Was concerned about him as Seesul and I were unable to get through to him or his daughter... He's just fine, still kickin it, and sharp as a tack....

Talked a few about his time in the Dauntless, including his famous combat with Zeros, as well as his stick time with the very first F4U-1 on Enterprise in the Solomons... Thought it was a pig and troubled with all sorts of growing pains... Couldnt see the LSO when landing, tail wheel sucked, guns jammed etc etc... He wasnt very impressed and never saw combat with it...

He said to give a "Hello" to the guys here at the site and showed his graciousness in my intrest in him and his story....

 

[Wildcat]

Very very cool Dan!

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Very cool!!!!

 

[ccheese]

That is something ! How old is he now ??

Charles

 

[timshatz]

Good job Les.

 

[rochie]

great to hear that

 

[TheMustangRider]

Awesome! I catched the Dogfights episode in which Swede took on and defeated 3 zeros in his Dauntless, he was an amazing pilot.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

Very cool Les!

 

[seesul]

Hey Les,

you made my day today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks mate. Could you try to call Susan and ask her for his e-mail address? I sent her a letter for her father but still no answer...she baybe changed the address...

Hey hey huray!

 

[fly boy]

sweet i saw that dogfights to and the thing with the b-17 geting shot up i am serprispe old 777 made it back to base

 

[evangilder]

Good stuff, Dan. Didn't your grandfather know him as well?

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Very cool, thanks Dan!

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Very cool!

 

[Soundbreaker Welch?]

That must have been cool talking to him.

WWII grows ever farther and farther away, but I'm sure to him the memory of it is still very strong.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

I saw his feats on Dogfights a while ago. Outstanding, dogfighting 3 zeros with a SBD.

 

[lesofprimus]

Yea my Grandfather new him quite well... Swede still remembers me as a youngling... Called him Uncle Swede for awhile there....

If anyone has any serious no bullsh!t questions for him, post it up and Ill call him for the answer..

 

[Lucky13]

WOW.....feel all, what's the word....humbled? That's just fantastic Dan!

Would it be possible to get a signed photo of him for my PTO GB of his SBD?

Had I talked with the gentleman, I'd probably just go on about his time on USS Yorktown CV-5....

 

[lesofprimus]

I dont think it would be a problem about the pic, when the time comes we'll see....

 

[Lucky13]

Would be forever greatful brother!

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

Yea my Grandfather new him quite well... Swede still remembers me as a youngling... Called him Uncle Swede for awhile there....

If anyone has any serious no bullsh!t questions for him, post it up and Ill call him for the answer..

I hope this question is serious enough. What was the length of time it took for a patrol mission; from briefing, to landing, and to debriefing. If not specific enough, tell me and I'll elaborate.