Ensign Darrell C. Bennett question

[rpeck350]

Ensign Darrell C. Bennett, USNR,was on board the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) in Composite Squadron Ten (VC-10) during 1944.
How many planes did he shoot down ?
found a photo of him and his FM-2 ,anyone else have any photo's of him or this plane.
Going by this photo.
http://www.navsource.org/archives/03/0307307.jpg

Thanks'
Rick

[Frank Olynyk]

Rick,
D C Bennett does not appear in my database of USN claims. VC-10, like most of the VC units, did not make a lot of claims, since they tended to be used for ground support. And of course, Gambier Bay was sunk, thus cutting short her cruise. VC-10s ACA reports do exist, but I would have to check them to see if they were prepared after the sinking or before.

Frank.
Historian, American Fighter Aces Association.

[rpeck350]

Thanks Frank.
Have all of your books on claims except for the Navy one.
Thanks again
Rick

[twocee]

Bennett is mentioned twice in Hoyt's book "The Men of the Gambier Bay", but in neither case is air-to-air combat involved.

[rpeck350]

Thank you, will see if I can find this book.
Rick

[JACK COOK]

Bennett lives in the P-cola, FL area.

[rpeck350]

Thanks Jack.
Rick

[84zz4ss]

D.C. Bennett actually lives in Gulf Breeze. As far I know he is unable to confirm any downed planes. He got some shots into one but lost him in the clouds over Leyte.

Scott

[rpeck350]

Thank you .
Do you know if he flew this Wildcat many times?
Rick

[84zz4ss]

He guesses about 40-50 hours in that airframe. His log books went down with the Gambier Bay. There is another airframe at the Naval museum here in Pensacola he has logged hours in as well.

Smokey is my grandfather so any more questions?

Scott