Jimmy Thach and Jimmy Flately

[Jim Oxley]

These two men arguably did more to advance a solid, practical combat doctrine than any other single pilot in the USN in the early stages of the war. They literally taught the VS squadrons how to fight and win using what was generally considered to be a second rate aircraft ie the F4F-4; by concentrating on sound tactics, teamwork, the durability of the Grumman and the high standard of gunnery.

To my mind both men fall into the same category as Boelcke and von Richthofen as original military thinkers. Their doctrines became the core of USN air combat training - Thatch's tactic the 'Weave' and Flatley's defining treatise "The Navy Fighter'.