SBD against A6M3- a story of Stanley Vejtasa

[drgondog]

I do too Bill.... U know he was the only pilot to earn a Navy Cross in Dive Bombers AND Fighters???

No, but it doesn't suprise me. One helluva a record.

 

[seesul]

No, but it doesn't suprise me. One helluva a record.

Agreed!

 

[R Leonard]

Actually, one of two of whom I am aware, the other was Birney Strong, another Yorktown VS-5 SBD driver turned fighter pilot.

Still, only two out of a heck of a lot of SBD, SB2U, and SB2C drivers, only a fraction of whom were awarded the Navy Cross.

Regards,

Rich

 

[seesul]

Dan,

just found a nice group photo of VF-10.
2nd row, 2nd from right- is it Vejtasa, yes?

 

[lesofprimus]

Yea thats him Roman, great pic....

 

[seesul]

O.K.
And that Dauntless in your avatar is Stan´s as well?
Attached few pics of him that I´ve found in Internet.

 

[lesofprimus]

Yea, thats his White 5 Roman, as well as his 3 Navy Crosses and the 10 (and a 1/4) kills he got....

Ive got all those same shots on my comp.... Thanks for postin them...

 

[seesul]

Yea, thats his White 5 Roman, as well as his 3 Navy Crosses and the 10 (and a 1/4) kills he got....

Ive got all those same shots on my comp.... Thanks for postin them...

Dan,

is that white 5 the same machine in which he achieved 3 Zero kills?

 

[lesofprimus]

Yes it is Roman...

 

[seesul]

Yes it is Roman...

wow

 

[seesul]

Got an unexpected e-mail from Vejtasa´s daughter today that I really appreciated. Don´t know where she found me, maybe she read this thread. She confirmed her grandpa (Stanley´s father) came from Czech Republic. That´s why such a surname.
The world is small...
Dan, I sent you PM, check it out!

 

[seesul]

Just wanted to tell you that I´ve found a letter from Stanley Vejtasa in my mail box yesterday!
He was pretty fast with his answer and I really appreciate it!
Thank you Suzan and Stanley

 

[lesofprimus]

Frickin great Roman...

 

[Wildcat]

Very cool!!

 

[seesul]

Yes, it is!

I haven´t expected his answer so soon. Last Monday I sent my request to Suzan (Stan´s daughter) and this Monday I got it...amazing...

 

[timshatz]

That is very cool. Good guy.

 

[seesul]

Yes, he really is!
It´s not usual to be so fast on answer...
I really appreciate it!!!
Going to send him another letter this weekend.

 

[Wayne Little]

Man,thats excellent stuff.

 

[seesul]

Dan,
in the meantime, were you able to get in touch with Stan, Susan or her brothers?
I still didn´t get any answer from Stan on my 2nd letter...hope everything´s allright with his family!

 

[lesofprimus]

Havent been in touch over there.... Susan still hasnt sent me what she promised either.... Something may be up...