Info needed about VF-42 and VF-2 (1 Viewer)

[Skywalker Jin]

As described in the title, I wasn't satisfied with the info given by google and wiki.
Ebooks are firstly preferred,paperback is also acceptable.
Veterans'words are specially welcomed
Thank you

 

[R Leonard]

VF-42
Your best bets are

• John Lundstrom, The First Team – Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl Harbor to Midway (1984)
• John Lundstrom, The First South Pacific Campaign (1976)
• Robert Cressman, That Gallant Ship – USS Yorktown (CV-5) (1985)
• Robert Cressman, USS Ranger 1934-1946 (2003)
• Audrey Wicks, Coral Sea Log (1992)
• Steve Ewing, Reaper Leader -The Life of Jimmy Flatley (2002)
• Jeff Nesmith, No Higher Honor (1999)
• Stuart Ludlum, They Turned the War Around at Coral Sea and Midway (1997)
• Pat Frank & Joseph Harrington, Rendezvous at Midway (1967)

Snippets from

• Barrett Tillman, Wildcat – The F4F in WWII (1983) (1990)
• Samuel Morison, Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Action (1950)
• Walter Karig, Battle Report Pearl Harbor to Coral Sea (1944)
• Stanley Johnston, The Grim Reapers (1943)

Websites of possible interest

• U.S.S. Yorktown--Action Report of the Battle of the Coral Sea
• https://www.history.navy.mil/resear...tle-of-midway/uss-yorktown-action-report.html
• Battle of the Coral Sea: U.S.S. Yorktown--Action Report
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-01.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-02.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-04.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-05.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-14.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-15.pdf
• https://www.history.navy.mil/browse...ns/world-war-ii/1942/battle-of-coral-sea.html
• https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA003053.pdf

And these

VF-42 pilots February 1942

VF-42 Squadron Insignia . . . no, it was not on any of their planes

And for what they're worth . . .

Leonard Aircraft Action Report 4 May 1942

Leonard Navy Cross Citation – Coral Sea Actions

There are also these below. I have some other paper documents from the VF-42 days, but I'd have to dig them out and scan, not something for which I have time at the moment.

 

[Skywalker Jin]

VF-42
Your best bets are

• John Lundstrom, The First Team – Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl Harbor to Midway (1984)
• John Lundstrom, The First South Pacific Campaign (1976)
• Robert Cressman, That Gallant Ship – USS Yorktown (CV-5) (1985)
• Robert Cressman, USS Ranger 1934-1946 (2003)
• Audrey Wicks, Coral Sea Log (1992)
• Steve Ewing, Reaper Leader -The Life of Jimmy Flatley (2002)
• Jeff Nesmith, No Higher Honor (1999)
• Stuart Ludlum, They Turned the War Around at Coral Sea and Midway (1997)
• Pat Frank & Joseph Harrington, Rendezvous at Midway (1967)

Snippets from

• Barrett Tillman, Wildcat – The F4F in WWII (1983) (1990)
• Samuel Morison, Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Action (1950)
• Walter Karig, Battle Report Pearl Harbor to Coral Sea (1944)
• Stanley Johnston, The Grim Reapers (1943)

Websites of possible interest

• U.S.S. Yorktown--Action Report of the Battle of the Coral Sea
• https://www.history.navy.mil/resear...tle-of-midway/uss-yorktown-action-report.html
• Battle of the Coral Sea: U.S.S. Yorktown--Action Report
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-01.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-02.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-04.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-05.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-14.pdf
• https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/CoralSeaAARs/CoralSeaAAR-Yorktown-15.pdf
• https://www.history.navy.mil/browse...ns/world-war-ii/1942/battle-of-coral-sea.html
• https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA003053.pdf

And these

VF-42 pilots February 1942
View attachment 865971

VF-42 Squadron Insignia . . . no, it was not on any of their planes

View attachment 865970


And for what they're worth . . .

Leonard Aircraft Action Report 4 May 1942
View attachment 865972
View attachment 865973
View attachment 865991

Leonard Navy Cross Citation – Coral Sea Actions
View attachment 865974

There are also these below. I have some other paper documents from the VF-42 days, but I'd have to dig them out and scan, not something for which I have time at the moment.

It was very kind of you Mr Leonard, your precious info will be always welcomed and it's great for my project named after Yorktown.
And what attracts me most is how did a scout squadron became a legend

 

[R Leonard]

In the squadron photo above, taken on 6 Feb 1942, I neglected to identify the players . . .
Left to right
Seated: Brainard Macomber, Arthur Brassfield, Roy Plott, William Leonard, Charles Fenton, Oscar Pederson, Vincent McCormack, William Woollen, Leslie Knox
Standing: Edward Mattson, Richard Wright, Harry Gibbs, William Barnes, John Baker, Elbert McCuskey, Richard Crommelin, John Adams, Edgar Bassett, Walter Haas
Of those pictured four were killed during the war and one died in a post war crash. There's three future admirals and eight future captains in the picture.

Below are
(1) a copy of the Yorktown NAV-37 listing all the officers and warrants aboard as of one 1 May 1942. VF-42 is found on page 3. My father's correspondence indicated that this particular document copy came from Jim Flatley's papers.
(2) The VF-42 monthly report of flight hours, this is an original in my possession
(3) Hand written VF-42 F4F-3 takeoff and landing checklist . . . my father's handwriting; looks like someone wanted some copies made. Another original in my possession.
(4) Mission information given to my father for sweep of Tulagi area on 4 May 1942 with his comments below. Note that Tulagi is quaintly disguised as "Truk". Original.
(5) VF-42 duty roster 18 June 1942 and MCAS Ewa, Oahu. The squadron was disestablished a few days later, without looking it, around 22 June. Original.

 

[Skywalker Jin]

In the squadron photo above, taken on 6 Feb 1942, I neglected to identify the players . . .
Left to right
Seated: Brainard Macomber, Arthur Brassfield, Roy Plott, William Leonard, Charles Fenton, Oscar Pederson, Vincent McCormack, William Woollen, Leslie Knox
Standing: Edward Mattson, Richard Wright, Harry Gibbs, William Barnes, John Baker, Elbert McCuskey, Richard Crommelin, John Adams, Edgar Bassett, Walter Haas
Of those pictured four were killed during the war and one died in a post war crash. There's three future admirals and eight future captains in the picture.

Below are
(1) a copy of the Yorktown NAV-37 listing all the officers and warrants aboard as of one 1 May 1942. VF-42 is found on page 3. My father's correspondence indicated that this particular document copy came from Jim Flatley's papers.
(2) The VF-42 monthly report of flight hours, this is an original in my possession
(3) Hand written VF-42 F4F-3 takeoff and landing checklist . . . my father's handwriting; looks like someone wanted some copies made. Another original in my possession.
(4) Mission information given to my father for sweep of Tulagi area on 4 May 1942 with his comments below. Note that Tulagi is quaintly disguised as "Truk". Original.
(5) VF-42 duty roster 18 June 1942 and MCAS Ewa, Oahu. The squadron was disestablished a few days later, without looking it, around 22 June. Original.

Always appreciate your contribution Mr Leonard！
I had learnt that VF-42 fought with Yorktown since the war began and disestablished after Yorktown's loss. That was really a close and reliable partner.
Speaking of the staff, I had already known where did Flatley and your father go, how about the rest of the squadron?

 

[R Leonard]

VF-42 folks from above plus Jim Flatley

From my listings of some 59,580, or so, USN/USNR aviators serving in and around the war years and their assignments where I find them:

John Paul Adams (98683)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 1/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 6/21/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 12/7/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 3/1/1943
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1943
LT, USN, Date of augment to USN from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/22/1943
LT, USN, VF-88 NAS Atlantic City, 1/1/1945
LT, USN, VF-88 NAS Hilo, 3/1/1945
LT, USN, VF-88 NAS Saipan, 6/1/1945
LT, USN, VF-88 USS Yorktown (CV-10), 6/17/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1972

John Drayton Baker (104123)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 3/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 8/30/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 12/8/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIFA VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5) fail to return, 5/7/1942

William Wesley Barnes Jr (83902)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 9/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), NAOTC (Inst) NAS Jacksonville, 5/6/1943
LCDR, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Apr 1949 USNR Register, 10/17/1944
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1972

Edgar Rees Bassett (85741)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 2/14/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942

Arthur James Brassfield (79013)
AvCad, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 9/1/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USN, Date of augment to USN from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 3/28/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-5), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1969

Richard Gunter Crommelin (81127)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 6/24/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 6977, 12/16/1940
LTJG, USN, VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, NAOTC NAS Jacksonville, 6/24/1943
LT, USN, VF-88 (CO) NAS Atlantic City, 1/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-88 (CO) NAS Atlantic City, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-88 (CO) NAS Hilo, 3/1/1945
LCDR, USN, VF-88 (CO) NAS Saipan, 6/1/1945
LCDR, USN, VF-88 (CO) USS Yorktown (CV-10), 6/17/1945
LCDR, USN, KIFA VF-88 (CO) USS Yorktown (CV-10) F6F midair collision nr Hokkaido, 7/14/1945

Charles Rudolph Fenton (62599)
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/30/1937
LT, USN, NAS Pensacola, 3/23/1941
LT, USN, VF-42 (XO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-42 (CO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4/25/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-42 (CO) MCAS Ewa, 5/27/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-11 (CO) NAS San Diego, 8/1/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 10/1/1942
CDR, USN, VF-11 NAS San Diego, 10/10/1942
CDR, USN, VF-11 (CO) FABU2 Nandi Fiji detached, 3/31/1943
CDR, USN, OCNO staff, 5/1/1943
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/30/1945
CAPT, USN, CinCPacFlt staff, 10/15/1945
RADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1959

James Henry Flatley Jr (62641)
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/30/1937
LT, USN, NAS Jacksonville, 3/23/1941
LT, USN, VF-2 (XO) USS Lexington CV-2, 12/7/1941
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-2 Det OIC ACTGPac NAS San Diego, 2/16/1942
LCDR, USN, TAD VF-3 NAS Pearl Harbor, 4/11/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-42 (XO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4/24/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) NAS San Diego, 6/2/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) NAS Maui TH, 8/20/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 10/1/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 10/17/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) Tontouta Field New Caledonia, 11/1/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 11/12/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) Henderson Field Guadalcanal, 11/15/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) Tontouta Field New Caledonia, 11/22/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 12/4/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) Espiritu Santo, 12/23/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 1/30/1943
CDR, USN, CVG-5 (CAG) NAS Norfolk, 2/15/1943
CDR, USN, CVG-5 (CAG) USS Yorktown (CV-10), 5/30/1943
CDR, USN, ComFAirWest staff (DirTrng) NAS San Diego, 10/15/1943
CDR, USN, 1FastCarTaskFor/TF 58 (OpnsO), 7/1/1944
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/30/1945
CAPT, USN, 1FastCarTaskFor/TF 58 (OpnsO), 3/31/1945
VADM, USN, Retired from active duty medical, 9/2/1958

Harry Bonaparte Gibbs (104204)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 9/6/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 12/8/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LTJG, USN, Date of augment to USN, 6/23/1943
LTJG, USN, VSB OTU -1 (TrngO) NAAS Cecil Field, 7/29/1943
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 10/1/1943
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1970

Walter Albert Haas (83903)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 9/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LCDR, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Apr 1949 USNR Register, 10/17/1944
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-87 (XO) NAAS Vernalis, 1/2/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-87 (XO) USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 6/1/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-87 (CO) USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 7/25/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1958

Leslie Lockhart Bruce Knox (83148)
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger commission from AvCad, 4/15/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/15/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/7/1942

William Nicholas Leonard (81229)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 6/24/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 6953, 12/5/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Miami, 3/23/1941
ENS, USN, VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 4/1/1941
ENS, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 (FO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/28/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-3 (XO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-3 (XO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 6/5/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-3-8-42 (XO) USS Hornet (CV-8), 6/6/1942
LT, USN, VF-42 (FO) MCAS Ewa, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, VF-11 (FO) NAS San Diego, 7/15/1942
LT, USN, VF-11 (FO) MCAB Guadalcanal, 5/29/1943
LT, USN, VF-11 (XO) NAS San Diego, 8/1/1943
LT, USN, ComFAirWest staff (Dir VF Trng) NAS San Diego, 8/30/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, ComFAirWest staff (Dir VF Trng) NAS San Diego, 3/2/1944
LCDR, USN, 2FastCarTaskFor/TF38 (AOpnsO) (USS Wasp), 11/30/1944
LCDR, USN, 2FastCarTaskFor/TF38 (AOpnsO) (USS Hancock), 1/21/1945
LCDR, USN, 2FastCarTaskFor/TF38 (AOpnsO) (USS Shangri-La), 9/2/1945
RADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1971

Brainard Tucker Macomber (81482)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 7/5/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 8/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 11/1/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of augment to USN, 1/12/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/15/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/15/1944
LCDR, USN, CVLG-21 (CAG) / VF-21 (CO) NAS Squantum, 1/16/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1959

Edward Duran Mattson (82774)
ENS, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/1/1939
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 3/10/1941
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 8037, 7/1/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 1/1/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LCDR, USN, Retired line of duty incapacity retirement promo, 6/1/1944

Vincent Francis McCormack (78843)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/3/1940
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/2/1942
LT, USN, VF-42 (FO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LT, USN, VF-42 (XO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4/25/1942
LT, USN, VF-42 ( XO) MCAS Ewa, 5/26/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, VF(N)-102 (CO) NAAS Charlestown, 4/18/1944
LCDR, USN, CVLG(N)-42 (CAG) NAS Barbers Point, 8/25/1944
LCDR, USN, CVG(N)-53 (CAG) NAS Barbers Point, 1/2/1945
CDR, USN, CVG(N)-53 (CAG) USS Saratoga, 2/16/1945
CDR, USN, CVEG(N)-63 (CAG) NAS Alameda, 6/20/1945
CDR, USN, VF(N)-63 (CO) & CVEG(N)-63 CAG) NAS Barbers Point, 7/4/1945
CDR, USN, Date of rank as noted in 1 Jul 1947 USN Register, 7/20/1945
CDR, USN, VF(N)-63 (CO) & CVEG(N)-63 CAG) USS Kula Gulf (CVE-108), 8/21/1945
CAPT, USN, Died while on active duty, 4/28/1970

Elbert Scott McCuskey (81585)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 9/3/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 10/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 11/1/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), 6/6/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank ALNAV 5/31/42, 6/15/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-42 MCAS Ewa, 6/18/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VF OTU-1 NAAS Green Cove Springs, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-8 NAS Norfolk, 6/1/1943
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-8 USS Intrepid (CV-11), 12/3/1943
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-8 NAS Kaneohe, 1/12/1944
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-8 NAS Puunene, 1/30/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 3/15/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), VF-8 USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), 3/16/1944
LCDR, USNR A1, NAAS Green Cove Springs, 4/1/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1965

Oscar Pederson (60205)
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 1/1/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1941
LT, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LCDR, USN, VF-42 (CO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LCDR, USN, CYAG (CAG) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4/25/1942
LCDR, USN, ComTF-16 staff (OpnsO), 8/8/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 8/15/1942
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 8/1/1943
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 8/1/1943
CAPT, USN, USS Prince William (CVE-31) (CO), 2/18/1945
RADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1961

Roy Merrill Plott (78953)
AvCad, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 8/1/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USN, Date of augment to USN, 3/28/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1958

William Stone Woollen (81567)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 9/3/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 10/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 11/1/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VN-14-A (Chf Flt Inst) NAAS Kingsville VF Trng NATC NAS Corpus Christi, 6/1/1943
LT, USNR AV(N), VC-96 (CO) NAS Seattle, 3/13/1944
LT, USNR AV(N), VC-96 (CO) NAAS Quillayute, 4/1/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 5/15/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), VC-96 (CO) NAAS Holtville (CO), 9/10/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), VC-96 (CO) NAS Kahului (CO), 12/25/1944
LCDR, USNR A1, VC-96 (CO) USS Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81), 3/11/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1963

Richard Lee Wright (85806)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 2/24/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 2/24/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 12/1/1942
LT, USNR A1, VBF-1 (XO) NAS Alameda, 2/17/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1947 USN Register, 7/20/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-1 (XO) USS Bennington (CV-20), 8/15/1945
LCDR, USN, KIFA F9F crash, 3/28/1952

 

[Skywalker Jin]

VF-42 folks from above plus Jim Flatley

From my listings of some 59,580, or so, USN/USNR aviators serving in and around the war years and their assignments where I find them:

John Paul Adams (98683)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 1/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 6/21/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 12/7/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 3/1/1943
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1943
LT, USN, Date of augment to USN from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/22/1943
LT, USN, VF-88 NAS Atlantic City, 1/1/1945
LT, USN, VF-88 NAS Hilo, 3/1/1945
LT, USN, VF-88 NAS Saipan, 6/1/1945
LT, USN, VF-88 USS Yorktown (CV-10), 6/17/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1972

John Drayton Baker (104123)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 3/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 8/30/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 12/8/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIFA VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5) fail to return, 5/7/1942

William Wesley Barnes Jr (83902)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 9/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), NAOTC (Inst) NAS Jacksonville, 5/6/1943
LCDR, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Apr 1949 USNR Register, 10/17/1944
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1972

Edgar Rees Bassett (85741)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 2/14/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942

Arthur James Brassfield (79013)
AvCad, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 9/1/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USN, Date of augment to USN from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 3/28/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-5), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1969

Richard Gunter Crommelin (81127)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 6/24/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 6977, 12/16/1940
LTJG, USN, VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, NAOTC NAS Jacksonville, 6/24/1943
LT, USN, VF-88 (CO) NAS Atlantic City, 1/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-88 (CO) NAS Atlantic City, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-88 (CO) NAS Hilo, 3/1/1945
LCDR, USN, VF-88 (CO) NAS Saipan, 6/1/1945
LCDR, USN, VF-88 (CO) USS Yorktown (CV-10), 6/17/1945
LCDR, USN, KIFA VF-88 (CO) USS Yorktown (CV-10) F6F midair collision nr Hokkaido, 7/14/1945

Charles Rudolph Fenton (62599)
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/30/1937
LT, USN, NAS Pensacola, 3/23/1941
LT, USN, VF-42 (XO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-42 (CO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4/25/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-42 (CO) MCAS Ewa, 5/27/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-11 (CO) NAS San Diego, 8/1/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 10/1/1942
CDR, USN, VF-11 NAS San Diego, 10/10/1942
CDR, USN, VF-11 (CO) FABU2 Nandi Fiji detached, 3/31/1943
CDR, USN, OCNO staff, 5/1/1943
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/30/1945
CAPT, USN, CinCPacFlt staff, 10/15/1945
RADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1959

James Henry Flatley Jr (62641)
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/30/1937
LT, USN, NAS Jacksonville, 3/23/1941
LT, USN, VF-2 (XO) USS Lexington CV-2, 12/7/1941
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-2 Det OIC ACTGPac NAS San Diego, 2/16/1942
LCDR, USN, TAD VF-3 NAS Pearl Harbor, 4/11/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-42 (XO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4/24/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) NAS San Diego, 6/2/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) NAS Maui TH, 8/20/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 10/1/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 10/17/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) Tontouta Field New Caledonia, 11/1/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 11/12/1942
LCDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) Henderson Field Guadalcanal, 11/15/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) Tontouta Field New Caledonia, 11/22/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 12/4/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) Espiritu Santo, 12/23/1942
CDR, USN, VF-10 (CO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 1/30/1943
CDR, USN, CVG-5 (CAG) NAS Norfolk, 2/15/1943
CDR, USN, CVG-5 (CAG) USS Yorktown (CV-10), 5/30/1943
CDR, USN, ComFAirWest staff (DirTrng) NAS San Diego, 10/15/1943
CDR, USN, 1FastCarTaskFor/TF 58 (OpnsO), 7/1/1944
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/30/1945
CAPT, USN, 1FastCarTaskFor/TF 58 (OpnsO), 3/31/1945
VADM, USN, Retired from active duty medical, 9/2/1958

Harry Bonaparte Gibbs (104204)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 9/6/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 12/8/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LTJG, USN, Date of augment to USN, 6/23/1943
LTJG, USN, VSB OTU -1 (TrngO) NAAS Cecil Field, 7/29/1943
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 10/1/1943
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1970

Walter Albert Haas (83903)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 9/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LCDR, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Apr 1949 USNR Register, 10/17/1944
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-87 (XO) NAAS Vernalis, 1/2/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-87 (XO) USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 6/1/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-87 (CO) USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 7/25/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1958

Leslie Lockhart Bruce Knox (83148)
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger commission from AvCad, 4/15/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/15/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/7/1942

William Nicholas Leonard (81229)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 6/24/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 6953, 12/5/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Miami, 3/23/1941
ENS, USN, VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 4/1/1941
ENS, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 (FO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/28/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-3 (XO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-3 (XO) USS Enterprise (CV-6), 6/5/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-3-8-42 (XO) USS Hornet (CV-8), 6/6/1942
LT, USN, VF-42 (FO) MCAS Ewa, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, VF-11 (FO) NAS San Diego, 7/15/1942
LT, USN, VF-11 (FO) MCAB Guadalcanal, 5/29/1943
LT, USN, VF-11 (XO) NAS San Diego, 8/1/1943
LT, USN, ComFAirWest staff (Dir VF Trng) NAS San Diego, 8/30/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, ComFAirWest staff (Dir VF Trng) NAS San Diego, 3/2/1944
LCDR, USN, 2FastCarTaskFor/TF38 (AOpnsO) (USS Wasp), 11/30/1944
LCDR, USN, 2FastCarTaskFor/TF38 (AOpnsO) (USS Hancock), 1/21/1945
LCDR, USN, 2FastCarTaskFor/TF38 (AOpnsO) (USS Shangri-La), 9/2/1945
RADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1971

Brainard Tucker Macomber (81482)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 7/5/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 8/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 11/1/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of augment to USN, 1/12/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/15/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/15/1944
LCDR, USN, CVLG-21 (CAG) / VF-21 (CO) NAS Squantum, 1/16/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1959

Edward Duran Mattson (82774)
ENS, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/1/1939
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 3/10/1941
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 8037, 7/1/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 1/1/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LCDR, USN, Retired line of duty incapacity retirement promo, 6/1/1944

Vincent Francis McCormack (78843)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/3/1940
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/2/1942
LT, USN, VF-42 (FO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LT, USN, VF-42 (XO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4/25/1942
LT, USN, VF-42 ( XO) MCAS Ewa, 5/26/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, VF(N)-102 (CO) NAAS Charlestown, 4/18/1944
LCDR, USN, CVLG(N)-42 (CAG) NAS Barbers Point, 8/25/1944
LCDR, USN, CVG(N)-53 (CAG) NAS Barbers Point, 1/2/1945
CDR, USN, CVG(N)-53 (CAG) USS Saratoga, 2/16/1945
CDR, USN, CVEG(N)-63 (CAG) NAS Alameda, 6/20/1945
CDR, USN, VF(N)-63 (CO) & CVEG(N)-63 CAG) NAS Barbers Point, 7/4/1945
CDR, USN, Date of rank as noted in 1 Jul 1947 USN Register, 7/20/1945
CDR, USN, VF(N)-63 (CO) & CVEG(N)-63 CAG) USS Kula Gulf (CVE-108), 8/21/1945
CAPT, USN, Died while on active duty, 4/28/1970

Elbert Scott McCuskey (81585)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 9/3/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 10/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 11/1/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), 6/6/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank ALNAV 5/31/42, 6/15/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-42 MCAS Ewa, 6/18/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VF OTU-1 NAAS Green Cove Springs, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-8 NAS Norfolk, 6/1/1943
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-8 USS Intrepid (CV-11), 12/3/1943
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-8 NAS Kaneohe, 1/12/1944
LT, USNR AV(N), VF-8 NAS Puunene, 1/30/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 3/15/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), VF-8 USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), 3/16/1944
LCDR, USNR A1, NAAS Green Cove Springs, 4/1/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1965

Oscar Pederson (60205)
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 1/1/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1941
LT, USN, VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LCDR, USN, VF-42 (CO) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LCDR, USN, CYAG (CAG) USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4/25/1942
LCDR, USN, ComTF-16 staff (OpnsO), 8/8/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 8/15/1942
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 8/1/1943
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 8/1/1943
CAPT, USN, USS Prince William (CVE-31) (CO), 2/18/1945
RADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1961

Roy Merrill Plott (78953)
AvCad, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 8/1/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USN, Date of augment to USN, 3/28/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1958

William Stone Woollen (81567)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 9/3/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 10/1/1939
ENS, USNR AV(N), VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 11/1/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/29/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VN-14-A (Chf Flt Inst) NAAS Kingsville VF Trng NATC NAS Corpus Christi, 6/1/1943
LT, USNR AV(N), VC-96 (CO) NAS Seattle, 3/13/1944
LT, USNR AV(N), VC-96 (CO) NAAS Quillayute, 4/1/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 5/15/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), VC-96 (CO) NAAS Holtville (CO), 9/10/1944
LCDR, USNR AV(N), VC-96 (CO) NAS Kahului (CO), 12/25/1944
LCDR, USNR A1, VC-96 (CO) USS Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81), 3/11/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1963

Richard Lee Wright (85806)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 2/24/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/30/1941
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 2/24/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 12/1/1942
LT, USNR A1, VBF-1 (XO) NAS Alameda, 2/17/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1947 USN Register, 7/20/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-1 (XO) USS Bennington (CV-20), 8/15/1945
LCDR, USN, KIFA F9F crash, 3/28/1952

Very useful info！
Did your father work on Enterprise? That was an exciting point(I owned a vintage piece of Enterprise)

 

[R Leonard]

He landed aboard Enterprise with about 15 gallons of fuel after dueling with the Japanese torpedo planes attacking Yorktown on 4 June.. He, and Johnny Adams, were launched late that afternoon for a final CAP over the abandoned Yorktown. Oddly enough, the two of them also flew the last CAP over Lexington at Coral Sea the month before. Anyway, landed back aboard Enterprise and spent the night. The next morning the remaining VF-42 pilots, less Doc McCuskey whose plane had been damaged in in a landing oopsie, flew various CAP missions over TF-16 and the landed aboard Hornet, which had lost 12 or so of its fighters, filling out the ship's fighter complement and forming what was laughingly called VF-8-3-42. This VF-42 rump operated from Hornet until the return to Pearl Harbor. On 18 June the VF-3 survivors flew off to NAS Kaneohe, VF-8 to NAS Ford Island, and VF-42 to MCAS Ewa thus ending the Midway deployment.
Time spent aboard Enterprise was good enough to qualify for the PUC the ship's personnel were later awarded for the Midway period.

 

[Skywalker Jin]

He landed aboard Enterprise with about 15 gallons of fuel after dueling with the Japanese torpedo planes attacking Yorktown on 4 June.. He, and Johnny Adams, were launched late that afternoon for a final CAP over the abandoned Yorktown. Oddly enough, the two of them also flew the last CAP over Lexington at Coral Sea the month before. Anyway, landed back aboard Enterprise and spent the night. The next morning the remaining VF-42 pilots, less Doc McCuskey whose plane had been damaged in in a landing oopsie, flew various CAP missions over TF-16 and the landed aboard Hornet, which had lost 12 or so of its fighters, filling out the ship's fighter complement and forming what was laughingly called VF-8-3-42. This VF-42 rump operated from Hornet until the return to Pearl Harbor. On 18 June the VF-3 survivors flew off to NAS Kaneohe, VF-8 to NAS Ford Island, and VF-42 to MCAS Ewa thus ending the Midway deployment.
Time spent aboard Enterprise was good enough to qualify for the PUC the ship's personnel were later awarded for the Midway period.

I see. Interesting detail get.
A friend of mine finished the build of YorktownCV-5，please let me invite you to appreciate it in my new thread

 

[R Leonard]

For what it might be worth, I can do the same wartime assignment and fate tracking for the VF-2 aviators at Coral Sea; there's 23 of them so it might take a day or so as tome permits

 

[Skywalker Jin]

For what it might be worth, I can do the same wartime assignment and fate tracking for the VF-2 aviators at Coral Sea; there's 23 of them so it might take a day or so as tome permits

Of course! I'm all ears!

 

[R Leonard]

Okay - pilots attached to VF-2 USS Lexington as of 1 May 1942 and war years assignments/fates/final ranks thereafter:

John Burton Edward Bain (104351)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 9/6/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/25/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 10/1/1942
LTJG, USN, Date of augment to USN, 3/19/1943
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 10/1/1943
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 10/1/1943
LT, USN, VBF-19 NAS Kahului Maui TH attach VF(N) division, 9/5/1945
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 9/1/1961

Paul Gerald Baker (145505)
RM1c, USN NAP (2996879), USS Minneapolis (CA-36) recd from USS Lexington (CV-2) trnsp TAD to NavResearchLab NAS Anacostia, 4/2/1939
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 3/21/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USN, KIFA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/7/1942

Fred Borries Jr (74800)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/6/1938
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2) F2A-3 landing crash, 12/29/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2) F2A-3 landing crash, 1/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, Opnl Trng Cmd NAS Jacksonville, 1/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 5/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Opnl Trng Cmd NAS Jacksonville, 5/2/1943
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) (Air Off), 10/25/1944
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1961

Richard Salisbury Bull Jr (77208)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/4/1939
LTJG, USN, VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/8/1942

Howard Franklin Clark (81239)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 7/15/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 7079, 1/29/1941
ENS, USN, VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USN, KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/8/1942

Marion William Dufilho (81070)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 7/29/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 7153, 2/15/1941
ENS, USN, VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, VF-3 NAS Maui detach TAD to VF-8, 7/2/1942
LT, USN, VF-5 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 8/1/1942
LT, USN, KIA VF-5 USS Saratoga (CV-3) F4F failed to return MPD BNR, 8/24/1942

Willard Ernest Eder (83140)
AvCad, USNR, NAS Pensacola designated NA# 6321, 3/13/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), NAS Pensacola detach trnsf VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 4/2/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 NAS Maui attached TAD, 7/5/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 NAS Maui detach trnsf ACTGLant FFT VGF-29, 7/18/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VGF-29 USS Santee (CVE-29), 11/8/1942
LT, USN, Date of augment to USN, 5/3/1943
LT, USN, VF-29 (CO) & CVLG-29 (CAG) NAS Atlantic City, 4/10/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 10/17/1944
LCDR, USN, CVLG-29 (CAG) / VF-29 (CO) NAS Alameda, 5/1/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1965

Noel Arthur Meredith Gayler (74854)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/6/1938
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 9/1/1941
LT, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 (XO) USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, Fighter Design Branch BuAer NAS Anacostia, 7/1/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 5/1/1943
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, VF-12 (CO) NAS Astoria, 9/1/1944
CDR, USN, VF-12 (CO) USS Randolph (CV-15) detached trnsf FFA ComAirPac, 12/9/1944
CDR, USN, Flight Test NATC NAS Patuxent, 2/15/1945
CDR, USN, 2FastCarTaskFor/TF 38 (AOpnsO), 5/3/1945
ADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 9/1/1976

Leon Wilder Haynes (99724)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 2/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 MCAS Ewa, 1/15/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 NAS Maui detach TAD to VF-8, 7/2/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 8/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 (det) USS Saratoga (CV-3) for ret to PH, 9/2/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-23 NRAB Willow Grove PA, 12/30/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1943
LCDR, USNR A1, Date of rank from 1 Apr 1949 USNR Register, 10/3/1945
LCDR, USNR, Died natural causes Olympia WA, 3/13/1958

George Aurand Hopper Jr (106016)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 5/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/25/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942

Robert Frederick Kanze (202200)
AMM3c, USN NAP (2232463), NAS Miami designated NAP, 9/27/1941
AP2c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 NAS San Diego, 8/1/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 NAS Maui TH, 8/20/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 10/17/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 Tontouta Field New Caledonia, 10/31/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 11/12/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 Tontouta New Caledonia, 11/17/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 12/4/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 Espiritu Santo, 12/23/1942
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 1/1/1944
LTJG, USN, VF-10 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 4/29/1944
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 5/1/1945
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1965

John Howe Lackey (83116)
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Saratoga commission from AvCad, 4/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 NAS Maui detach TAD to VF-72, 7/11/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85) trnsp to ComAirPac, 10/17/1944
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-4 (CO) NAS Alameda attached, 5/19/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-4 (CO) NAS Wildwood, 7/7/1945
LCDR, USNR A3, KIFA VBF-4 (CO) SNJ crash nr Kempton PA, 10/6/1945

George Francis Markham Jr (103999)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 3/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/25/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1943
LCDR, USNR A1, Date of rank from 1 Apr 1949 USNR Register, 10/3/1945
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 4/1/1954

Newton Henry Mason (99746)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 2/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 7/16/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/8/1942

Robert James Morgan (81262)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 7/29/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 7087, 1/30/1941
ENS, USN, VF-5 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, VF-3 NAS Maui detach trnsf NAS San Diego FFT CVG-12, 7/28/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-94 (CO) NAS Atlantic City attach, 11/15/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-94 (CO) USS Lexington (CV-16), 7/24/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1968

Dale William Peterson (85948)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/3/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/7/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/8/1942

Paul Herbert Ramsey (61241)
LCDR, USN, VP-41 PatWing4 NAS Seattle, 3/23/1941
LCDR, USN, VF-2 (CO) USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/15/1941
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 7/1/1941
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 7/1/1941
LCDR, USN, LAG (CAG) NAS San Diego, 5/30/1942
LCDR, USN, CVG-11 (CAG) NAS San Diego, 8/15/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 9/1/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 9/1/1942
CDR, USN, CVG-11 (CAG) NAS San Diego, 9/2/1942
CDR, USN, CVG-11 (CAG) NAS Barbers Point, 11/14/1942
CDR, USN, CVG-11 (CAG) NAS Barbers Point detached trnsf NAS Anacostia, 2/8/1943
CDR, USN, Flight Test NATC (Dir) NAS Anacostia, 2/15/1943
CDR, USN, NATC Flt Test (OIC) NAS Patuxent, 6/29/1943
CDR, USN, Flight Test NATC (Dir) NAS Patuxent, 7/1/1943
CDR, USN, NATC (Dir Test) NAS Patuxent, 5/9/1944
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/20/1945
CAPT, USN, NATC NAS Patuxent detach, 5/15/1945
CAPT, USN, USS Attu (CVE-102) (PCO), 6/10/1945
CAPT, USN, USS Attu (CVE-102) (CO), 8/11/1945
VADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 10/1/1966

Clark Franklin Rinehart (78949)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 8/1/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/1/1939
ENS, USN, Date of augment to USN, 3/11/1941
ENS, USN, VB-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USN, KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/7/1942
, Richard Merrill Rowell (83448)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 8/20/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 4/15/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/7/1942

Edward Robert Sellstrom Jr (104026)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 3/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIFA VF-2 NAS Pearl Harbor passenger SBD takeoff crash, 6/16/1942

Albert Ogden Vorse Jr (78738)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/3/1940
LTJG, USN, NAS Miami, 3/23/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/2/1942
LT, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-6 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 8/7/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, VF-80 (CO) NAS Atlantic City, 2/1/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-80 (CO) USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 7/1/1944
LCDR, USN, CVG-80 (CAG) USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 10/16/1944
LCDR, USN, USS Cabot (CVL-28) (Air Off), 5/1/1945
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1947 USN Register, 7/20/1945
CDR, USN, USS Cabot (CVL-28) (Air Off), 7/21/1945
RADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 1/1/1959

William Wolfe Wileman (104244)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), USS Yorktown (CV-5) (passenger status) FFT VF-6, 5/15/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), USS Yorktown (CV-5) trnsf VF-6 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 5/17/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-6 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 8/23/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 USS Saratoga (CV-3) attached from VF-6 Enterprise, 8/24/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 Efate New Caledonia, 9/2/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 Henderson Field Guadalcanal, 9/11/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIFA VF-5 Henderson Field F4F landing crash

 

[Skywalker Jin]

Okay - pilots attached to VF-2 USS Lexington as of 1 May 1942 and war years assignments/fates/final ranks thereafter:

John Burton Edward Bain (104351)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 9/6/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/25/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 10/1/1942
LTJG, USN, Date of augment to USN, 3/19/1943
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 10/1/1943
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 10/1/1943
LT, USN, VBF-19 NAS Kahului Maui TH attach VF(N) division, 9/5/1945
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 9/1/1961

Paul Gerald Baker (145505)
RM1c, USN NAP (2996879), USS Minneapolis (CA-36) recd from USS Lexington (CV-2) trnsp TAD to NavResearchLab NAS Anacostia, 4/2/1939
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 3/21/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USN, KIFA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/7/1942

Fred Borries Jr (74800)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/6/1938
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2) F2A-3 landing crash, 12/29/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2) F2A-3 landing crash, 1/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, Opnl Trng Cmd NAS Jacksonville, 1/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 5/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Opnl Trng Cmd NAS Jacksonville, 5/2/1943
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) (Air Off), 10/25/1944
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1961

Richard Salisbury Bull Jr (77208)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/4/1939
LTJG, USN, VS-41 USS Ranger (CV-4), 3/23/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/8/1942

Howard Franklin Clark (81239)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 7/15/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 7079, 1/29/1941
ENS, USN, VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USN, KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/8/1942

Marion William Dufilho (81070)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 7/29/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 7153, 2/15/1941
ENS, USN, VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, VF-3 NAS Maui detach TAD to VF-8, 7/2/1942
LT, USN, VF-5 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 8/1/1942
LT, USN, KIA VF-5 USS Saratoga (CV-3) F4F failed to return MPD BNR, 8/24/1942

Willard Ernest Eder (83140)
AvCad, USNR, NAS Pensacola designated NA# 6321, 3/13/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), NAS Pensacola detach trnsf VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 4/2/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 NAS Maui attached TAD, 7/5/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 NAS Maui detach trnsf ACTGLant FFT VGF-29, 7/18/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), VGF-29 USS Santee (CVE-29), 11/8/1942
LT, USN, Date of augment to USN, 5/3/1943
LT, USN, VF-29 (CO) & CVLG-29 (CAG) NAS Atlantic City, 4/10/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 10/17/1944
LCDR, USN, CVLG-29 (CAG) / VF-29 (CO) NAS Alameda, 5/1/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1965

Noel Arthur Meredith Gayler (74854)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/6/1938
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 9/1/1941
LT, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 (XO) USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, Fighter Design Branch BuAer NAS Anacostia, 7/1/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 5/1/1943
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
CDR, USN, VF-12 (CO) NAS Astoria, 9/1/1944
CDR, USN, VF-12 (CO) USS Randolph (CV-15) detached trnsf FFA ComAirPac, 12/9/1944
CDR, USN, Flight Test NATC NAS Patuxent, 2/15/1945
CDR, USN, 2FastCarTaskFor/TF 38 (AOpnsO), 5/3/1945
ADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 9/1/1976

Leon Wilder Haynes (99724)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 2/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 MCAS Ewa, 1/15/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 NAS Maui detach TAD to VF-8, 7/2/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 8/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 (det) USS Saratoga (CV-3) for ret to PH, 9/2/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-23 NRAB Willow Grove PA, 12/30/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1943
LCDR, USNR A1, Date of rank from 1 Apr 1949 USNR Register, 10/3/1945
LCDR, USNR, Died natural causes Olympia WA, 3/13/1958

George Aurand Hopper Jr (106016)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 5/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/25/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942

Robert Frederick Kanze (202200)
AMM3c, USN NAP (2232463), NAS Miami designated NAP, 9/27/1941
AP2c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 NAS San Diego, 8/1/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 NAS Maui TH, 8/20/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 10/17/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 Tontouta Field New Caledonia, 10/31/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 11/12/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 Tontouta New Caledonia, 11/17/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 12/4/1942
AP1c, USN NAP (2232463), VF-10 Espiritu Santo, 12/23/1942
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 1/1/1944
LTJG, USN, VF-10 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 4/29/1944
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 5/1/1945
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1965

John Howe Lackey (83116)
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Saratoga commission from AvCad, 4/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-3 NAS Maui detach TAD to VF-72, 7/11/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85) trnsp to ComAirPac, 10/17/1944
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-4 (CO) NAS Alameda attached, 5/19/1945
LCDR, USNR A1, VBF-4 (CO) NAS Wildwood, 7/7/1945
LCDR, USNR A3, KIFA VBF-4 (CO) SNJ crash nr Kempton PA, 10/6/1945

George Francis Markham Jr (103999)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 3/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-42 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 5/25/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 6/4/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 10/1/1942
LT, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USNR Register, 10/1/1943
LCDR, USNR A1, Date of rank from 1 Apr 1949 USNR Register, 10/3/1945
CDR, USN, Retired from active duty, 4/1/1954

Newton Henry Mason (99746)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 2/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 7/16/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/8/1942

Robert James Morgan (81262)
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola flight training, 7/29/1940
ENS, USN, NAS Pensacola designated NA # 7087, 1/30/1941
ENS, USN, VF-5 USS Yorktown (CV-5), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/2/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 6/15/1942
LT, USN, VF-3 NAS Maui detach trnsf NAS San Diego FFT CVG-12, 7/28/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/1/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-94 (CO) NAS Atlantic City attach, 11/15/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-94 (CO) USS Lexington (CV-16), 7/24/1945
CAPT, USN, Retired from active duty, 7/1/1968

Dale William Peterson (85948)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/3/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/7/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/8/1942

Paul Herbert Ramsey (61241)
LCDR, USN, VP-41 PatWing4 NAS Seattle, 3/23/1941
LCDR, USN, VF-2 (CO) USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/15/1941
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 7/1/1941
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 7/1/1941
LCDR, USN, LAG (CAG) NAS San Diego, 5/30/1942
LCDR, USN, CVG-11 (CAG) NAS San Diego, 8/15/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 9/1/1942
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 9/1/1942
CDR, USN, CVG-11 (CAG) NAS San Diego, 9/2/1942
CDR, USN, CVG-11 (CAG) NAS Barbers Point, 11/14/1942
CDR, USN, CVG-11 (CAG) NAS Barbers Point detached trnsf NAS Anacostia, 2/8/1943
CDR, USN, Flight Test NATC (Dir) NAS Anacostia, 2/15/1943
CDR, USN, NATC Flt Test (OIC) NAS Patuxent, 6/29/1943
CDR, USN, Flight Test NATC (Dir) NAS Patuxent, 7/1/1943
CDR, USN, NATC (Dir Test) NAS Patuxent, 5/9/1944
CAPT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 3/20/1945
CAPT, USN, NATC NAS Patuxent detach, 5/15/1945
CAPT, USN, USS Attu (CVE-102) (PCO), 6/10/1945
CAPT, USN, USS Attu (CVE-102) (CO), 8/11/1945
VADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 10/1/1966

Clark Franklin Rinehart (78949)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1939 USNR Register, 8/1/1938
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/1/1939
ENS, USN, Date of augment to USN, 3/11/1941
ENS, USN, VB-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 3/23/1941
LTJG, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USN, KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/7/1942
, Richard Merrill Rowell (83448)
ENS, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 8/20/1940
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Saratoga (CV-3), 3/23/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), Date of rank from 1 Jan 1943 USNR Register, 4/15/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LTJG, USNR AV(N), KIA VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/7/1942

Edward Robert Sellstrom Jr (104026)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 3/15/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIFA VF-2 NAS Pearl Harbor passenger SBD takeoff crash, 6/16/1942

Albert Ogden Vorse Jr (78738)
LTJG, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register, 6/3/1940
LTJG, USN, NAS Miami, 3/23/1941
LT, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register, 1/2/1942
LT, USN, VF-3 USS Lexington (CV-2), 2/20/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
LT, USN, VF-6 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 8/7/1942
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1943 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1945 USN Register, 7/1/1943
LCDR, USN, VF-80 (CO) NAS Atlantic City, 2/1/1944
LCDR, USN, VF-80 (CO) USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 7/1/1944
LCDR, USN, CVG-80 (CAG) USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 10/16/1944
LCDR, USN, USS Cabot (CVL-28) (Air Off), 5/1/1945
CDR, USN, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1947 USN Register, 7/20/1945
CDR, USN, USS Cabot (CVL-28) (Air Off), 7/21/1945
RADM, USN, Retired from active duty, 1/1/1959

William Wolfe Wileman (104244)
AvCad, USNR, Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USNR Register, 4/1/1941
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-2 USS Lexington (CV-2), 5/1/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), USS Yorktown (CV-5) (passenger status) FFT VF-6, 5/15/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), USS Yorktown (CV-5) trnsf VF-6 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 5/17/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-6 USS Enterprise (CV-6), 8/23/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 USS Saratoga (CV-3) attached from VF-6 Enterprise, 8/24/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 Efate New Caledonia, 9/2/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), VF-5 Henderson Field Guadalcanal, 9/11/1942
ENS, USNR AV(N), KIFA VF-5 Henderson Field F4F landing crash

I see. So the main factor that made VF-42 the most experienced squadron could be that the squadron stayed with the carrier for a long time.
Other pilots transferred from skilled squadron(VF-2) would make influence but not the major.