Fritz Wolf and his team of replacement pilots came aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12) on January 8th, 1945. Flying Grumman F6F Hallcats during his time with VF-11, the Sundowners, Fritz and the rest of the squadron struck Japanese targets on Hong Kong, on Formosa, Hainan Island and French Indo China. On one mission over Formosa, Fritz's plane lost fuel pressure after take-off and he had to make a sea landing. After three hours floating around in the ocean he was finally picked up by a destroyer. He later said that being plucked out of the water was worst than drowning. It was once said that destroyers liked to pick up down pilots because they would trade the pilot for 10 gallons of ice cream. True or False? Brent, if you would like additional info on Fritz E. Wolf you can reach me at
rwolf@cambridge.k12.wi.us.