Lt Grover D Mickelwait

[keith A]

According to the stuff I have found he was with VF-26 and then VC-21. He claimed two kills with VC-21 and had apparently (according to the VC-21 historian) claimed two others prior to this. However my research does not show him scoring any victories with VF-26. This introduces another possible squadron into the mix.

Any help gratefully accepted. I's also like to know more about his navy career.

Best regards

Keith

[R Leonard]

Grover Dale Mickelwait -

I see 0.5 A6M on 7/18/1943 with VF-26 shared with LTJG Jerry McCanne Clark.

And with VC-21, 1 A6M on 10/24/1944 and 1 P1Y on 10/3/45

[keith A]

Cheers Rich. My bad.I didn't think VF-26 had scored any victories before 1944. I should check my facts before I post! The 01/03/45 victory is described in the unit history as his fourth. If I remember it does say that he had scored two victories "with other squadrons". Could he have flown with another unit I wonder?

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by keith A

If I remember it does say that he had scored two victories "with other squadrons". Could he have flown with another unit I wonder?

Those 2½ claims are all that Frank Olynyk found as well.
I checked the USMC (don't know how much transfers that happened between the two), but nothing.
Even less likely any USAAF service was involved, so no checking.

Cheers
Stig

[keith A]

Cheers Stig. I wonder if he flew with a bomber or seaplane squadron before he joined VGF-26?

best regards

Keith

[Leendert]

Ens. Mickelwait was on the USS Core (ACV-13) with a CQTU (Carrier Qualification Training Unit?) early March 1943 off San Diego.
According AAIR involved in an accident on 4 March 1943 with F-4F BuNo 12243, must be one mentioned in the 08-12 timeframe in ships's war diary here: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/134147024?objectPage=5

Regards,
Leendert

[keith A]

Cheers Leendert. It looks like Mickelwait claimed two victories but was only officially awarded one.

K

[twocee]

You have to be careful here in using the word "official", as it is clear that there was no such thing, as per the Naval Historical Center:

"The Navy Department has never officially compiled or issued a list of "Aces". During World War II, the war period with the largest number of aerial shoot downs for naval flyers, the Navy did not keep an overall record of individual scores in aerial combat, hence, there is no official list of confirmed shoot-downs."

It all comes down to personal opinions.

[keith A]

Cheers George, I assume the claim for two victories prior to joining VC-21 came from him, rather than an official document.

K