Eugene A. Valencia
Encyclopedia
Eugene A. Valencia Jr. (13 April 1921–15 September 1972) was a leading United States Navy
fighter ace
in World War II
.
A native of San Francisco, Valencia attended junior college before enlisting in the Navy for flight training in 1941. He received his wings of gold in February 1942 and joined Fighting Squadron 9 a year later. During his first combat deployment to the Pacific, he flew Grumman Hellcats from USS Essex (CV-9)
in 1943–44. At the end of the first cruise in February 1944, Lieutenant (JG) Valencia was an ace with seven victories, including three in the large dogfight over Truk Atoll on the 17th of that month.
Promoted to full lieutenant, Valencia prepared for VF-9's next deployment. He trained three other pilots in his "mowing machine" tactics and thereby formed perhaps the deadliest naval fighter division (four planes) of WW II. "Fighting 9" flew from USS Lexington (CV-16)
and USS Yorktown (CV-10)
during 1945, and Valencia's practiced team accounted for 43 of the squadron's 130 victories. Valencia himself joined the ranks of the "aces in a day" with six kills over Japan on 17 April, and at war's end all his pilots were aces. James B. French had 11 victories; Harris Mitchell 10, and Clinton L. Smith 6. With 23 victories, Valencia remains the U.S. Navy's third-ranking ace of all time.
Valencia remained in the Navy and served in a variety of roles including ordnance test, transports, and antisubmarine warfare. As a full commander he was executive officer of VF(AW)-3, an air defense squadron, from 1958–1960.
Valencia retired from the Navy in 1962 and entered business in Southern California. He died at an aces reunion in San Antonio in 1972, age 51.
, five Distinguished Flying Cross
es, and six Air Medal
s.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
fighter ace
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
A native of San Francisco, Valencia attended junior college before enlisting in the Navy for flight training in 1941. He received his wings of gold in February 1942 and joined Fighting Squadron 9 a year later. During his first combat deployment to the Pacific, he flew Grumman Hellcats from USS Essex (CV-9)
USS Essex (CV-9)
USS Essex was an aircraft carrier, the lead ship of the 24-ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. Commissioned in December 1942, Essex participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning the...
in 1943–44. At the end of the first cruise in February 1944, Lieutenant (JG) Valencia was an ace with seven victories, including three in the large dogfight over Truk Atoll on the 17th of that month.
Promoted to full lieutenant, Valencia prepared for VF-9's next deployment. He trained three other pilots in his "mowing machine" tactics and thereby formed perhaps the deadliest naval fighter division (four planes) of WW II. "Fighting 9" flew from USS Lexington (CV-16)
USS Lexington (CV-16)
USS Lexington , known as "The Blue Ghost", is one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. The ship, the fifth US Navy ship to bear the name, is named in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington...
and USS Yorktown (CV-10)
USS Yorktown (CV-10)
USS Yorktown is one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. She is named after the Battle of Yorktown of the American Revolutionary War, and is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name...
during 1945, and Valencia's practiced team accounted for 43 of the squadron's 130 victories. Valencia himself joined the ranks of the "aces in a day" with six kills over Japan on 17 April, and at war's end all his pilots were aces. James B. French had 11 victories; Harris Mitchell 10, and Clinton L. Smith 6. With 23 victories, Valencia remains the U.S. Navy's third-ranking ace of all time.
Valencia remained in the Navy and served in a variety of roles including ordnance test, transports, and antisubmarine warfare. As a full commander he was executive officer of VF(AW)-3, an air defense squadron, from 1958–1960.
Valencia retired from the Navy in 1962 and entered business in Southern California. He died at an aces reunion in San Antonio in 1972, age 51.
Awards and decorations
Valencia's decorations include the Navy CrossNavy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, five Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
es, and six Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s.