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⚫ {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{short description|WWII Ace}} {{short description|WWII Ace}}
⚫ {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox military person {{Infobox military person
|name= Hamilton McWhorter III | name = Hamilton McWhorter III
|image=Hamilton McWhorter III.jpg | image = Hamilton McWhorter III USN.jpg
|image_size= | image_size =
|alt= | alt =
|caption= | caption =
|nickname= "Mac", "One Slug" | nickname = "Mac", "One Slug"
|birth_date= {{birth date|1921|02|08}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1921|02|08}}
|birth_place= ], US | birth_place = ], US
|death_date= {{Death date and age|2008|04|12|1921|02|08}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2008|04|12|1921|02|08}}
|death_place= ], US | death_place = ], US
|placeofburial=] | placeofburial = ]
|allegiance= ] | allegiance = ]
|branch= ] | branch = ]
|serviceyears= 1942 to 1969 | serviceyears = 1942 to 1969
|rank= ] | rank = ]
|unit= ]<br />] | unit = ]<br />]
|commands= VF-12 | commands = VF-12
|battles= ] | battles = ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
⚫ | awards = * ]
|awards=
⚫ * ]
* ] (5) * ] (5)
* ] (7)
* ] (7)
* ]<ref name="Plaque">Plaque of McWhorter at the ]</ref> * ]<ref name="Plaque">Plaque of McWhorter at the ]</ref>
|relations= Wife: Louise (] Edel) McWhorter | relations = Wife: Louise (] Edel) McWhorter
|laterwork= | laterwork =
}} }}


] '''Hamilton McWhorter III''' (February 8, 1921{{spnd}}April 12, 2008) was a ] aviator and a ] of ], credited with shooting down twelve Japanese aircraft. He was the first Hellcat ace, first USN carrier-based double ace,<ref name="AFLM">{{cite journal |title=Air Force Journal of Logistics, Volumes 16-18 |journal=Air Force Logistics Management Center |date=1992 |volume=XVI NO 1 |issue=Winter AFRP-1 |page=28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NY555cYRwdAC&q=Hamilton+McWhorter+III+double+ace&pg=RA3-PA28 |accessdate=July 25, 2020}}</ref>{{Sfn|Hammel|2010|p=129}} and the first ] pilot to achieve double ace status.{{sfn|Stout|2013|page=77 }}<ref name="SSHellcat">{{cite news |last1=Dorr |first1=Robert F. |title=Sharp Shooting Hellcat "Mac" McWhorter Runs Up the Score |url=http://dl.magazinedl.com/magazinedl/Flight%20Journal/2019/Flight%20Journal%20-%20WWII%20Air%20War%202019(magazinedl.com).pdf |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |work=Flight Journal |page=16 |date=October 21, 2019}}</ref> He flew 89 combat missions during World War II while flying with the ] and ] units.<ref name="SSHellcat"/> On May 23, 2014, he was also posthumously awarded the American Fighter Aces ], when the United States Congress collectively awarded the gold medal to all flying aces: a navy pilot is depicted on the medal in the upper right.<ref name="Gold Medal">{{cite web |last1=113th Congress |title=H.R.685 – American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/685/text |website=Congress.gov |publisher=Library of Congress |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Obama">{{cite web |title=American Fighter Aces to Hold 50th Reunion |url=https://www.museumofflight.org/News/1838/president-obama-signs-bill-honoring-american-fighter-aces |website=Museum of Flight |publisher=] |date=May 22, 2014 |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref> ] '''Hamilton McWhorter III''' (February 8, 1921{{spnd}}April 12, 2008) was a ] aviator and a ] of ], credited with shooting down twelve Japanese aircraft. He was the first Hellcat ace, first USN carrier-based double ace,<ref name="AFLM">{{cite journal |title=Air Force Journal of Logistics, Volumes 16-18 |journal=Air Force Logistics Management Center |date=1992 |volume=XVI NO 1 |issue=Winter AFRP-1 |page=28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NY555cYRwdAC&q=Hamilton+McWhorter+III+double+ace&pg=RA3-PA28 |accessdate=July 25, 2020}}</ref>{{Sfn|Hammel|2010|p=129}} and the first ] pilot to achieve double ace status.{{sfn|Stout|2013|page=77 }}<ref name="SSHellcat">{{cite news |last1=Dorr |first1=Robert F. |title=Sharp Shooting Hellcat "Mac" McWhorter Runs Up the Score |url=http://dl.magazinedl.com/magazinedl/Flight%20Journal/2019/Flight%20Journal%20-%20WWII%20Air%20War%202019(magazinedl.com).pdf |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |work=Flight Journal |page=16 |date=October 21, 2019 |archive-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723213537/http://dl.magazinedl.com/magazinedl/Flight%20Journal/2019/Flight%20Journal%20-%20WWII%20Air%20War%202019(magazinedl.com).pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> He flew 89 combat missions during World War II while flying with the ] and ] units.<ref name="SSHellcat"/> On May 23, 2014, he was also posthumously awarded the American Fighter Aces ], when the United States Congress collectively awarded the gold medal to all flying aces: a navy pilot is depicted on the medal in the upper right.<ref name="Gold Medal">{{cite web |last1=113th Congress |title=H.R.685 – American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/685/text |website=Congress.gov |publisher=Library of Congress |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Obama">{{cite web |title=American Fighter Aces to Hold 50th Reunion |url=https://www.museumofflight.org/News/1838/president-obama-signs-bill-honoring-american-fighter-aces |website=Museum of Flight |publisher=] |date=May 22, 2014 |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref>


==Early life and education== ==Early life and education==
Hamilton McWhorter III was born in 1921 to a middle-class family. The family lived on a farm. When he was nine years old, his father got him on his first flight, which was in a Ford Tri-Motor.<ref name="SSHellcat" /> He was enrolled at the University of Georgia from 1939 to 1941. He attended Civilian Pilot Training in 1939 and entered the Navy flight program in August 1941.{{sfn|Cleaver|2017|page=}} Hamilton McWhorter III was born in 1921 to a middle-class family. The family lived on a farm. When he was nine years old, his father got him on his first flight, which was in a Ford Tri-Motor.<ref name="SSHellcat" /> He was enrolled at the University of Georgia from 1939 to 1941. He attended Civilian Pilot Training in 1939 and entered the Navy flight program in August 1941.{{sfn|Cleaver|2017|page=}}


==Navy career== ==Navy career==
] at Rabaul Harbor November 1943.]] ] at Rabaul Harbor November 1943]]
McWhorter was selected for fighter training and arrived for training in Miami on December 24, 1941. He graduated from flight school on January 28, 1942, and was commissioned as an ] on February 9.{{sfn|Cleaver|2017|page=}} Advancing to carrier training on the ] at ], McWhorter joined Fighting Squadron 9 (]), based at East Field on NAS Norfolk, after completing the program in late April.{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=|pp=8–9}} In early October he and the squadron embarked aboard the ] for ], the Allied invasion of ] ].{{sfn|Cleaver|2018|page=}}<ref name="SSHellcat" /> McWhorter flew in an airstrike against ] when the invasion began on November 8.{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=|pp=10–12}} After Vichy French resistance ceased, the ''Ranger'' returned to Norfolk. Based at nearby ] from December, VF-9 converted to the new ] in early 1943, among the first squadrons to receive them. McWhorter found the Hellcat a "dream to fly" and much superior to the Wildcat.{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=|pp=16–18}} During this period at Norfolk McWhorter met Louise Edel, the daughter of a Navy chaplain, and they married on January 16.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=April 2, 1944|title=High U. S. Score Against Japs Traced to U. S. Air Teamwork|page=B12|newspaper=]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56039403/hamilton-mcwhorter-interview/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> McWhorter was selected for fighter training and arrived for training in Miami on December 24, 1941. He graduated from flight school on January 28, 1942, and was commissioned as an ] on February 9.{{sfn|Cleaver|2017|page=}} Advancing to carrier training on the ] at ], McWhorter joined Fighting Squadron 9 (]), based at East Field on NAS Norfolk, after completing the program in late April.{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=|pp=8–9}} In early October he and the squadron embarked aboard the ] for ], the Allied invasion of ] ].{{sfn|Cleaver|2018|page=}}<ref name="SSHellcat" /> McWhorter flew in an airstrike against ] when the invasion began on November 8.{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=|pp=10–12}} After Vichy French resistance ceased, the ''Ranger'' returned to Norfolk. Based at nearby ] from December, VF-9 converted to the new ] in early 1943, among the first squadrons to receive them. McWhorter found the Hellcat a "dream to fly" and much superior to the Wildcat.{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=|pp=16–18}} During this period at Norfolk McWhorter met Louise Edel, the daughter of a Navy chaplain, and they married on January 16.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=April 2, 1944|title=High U. S. Score Against Japs Traced to U. S. Air Teamwork|page=B12|newspaper=]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56039403/hamilton-mcwhorter-interview/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>


In May 1943 VF-9 departed for the ] aboard the newly commissioned carrier ].{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=|pp=16–18}} He was nicknamed "One Slug" McWhorter after his first kill over ] on October 5, 1943, when McWhorter flew into a formation of Japanese ] and fired one .50-caliber bullet into the plane. The plane exploded and McWhorter earned his first enemy kill. The men in his unit said he was conserving the taxpayers' money by only firing one slug. McWhorter later stated that he only fired one shot because the plane blew up.<ref name="SSHellcat" /> In May 1943 VF-9 departed for the ] aboard the newly commissioned carrier ].{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=|pp=16–18}} He was nicknamed "One Slug" McWhorter after his first kill over ] on October 5, 1943, when McWhorter flew into a formation of Japanese ] and fired one .50-caliber bullet into the plane. The plane exploded and McWhorter earned his first enemy kill. The men in his unit said he was conserving the taxpayers' money by only firing one slug. McWhorter later stated that he only fired one shot because the plane blew up.<ref name="SSHellcat" />


] (Zeros) from the ] preparing to take off at Rabaul, November 1943.]] ] (Zeros) from the ] preparing to take off at Rabaul, November 1943]]


]]] ]]]
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The ''Essex'' arrived at ] on March 10, and her pilots dispersed for a month-long leave. After meeting his parents-in-law at ] and visiting his family in Athens,<ref name=":0" /> McWhorter was posted to the reforming ] as one of its veteran cadre.{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=49}} VF-12 was attached to ] in 1945, and McWhorter claimed two more Japanese aircraft to raise his victory total to 12.<ref name="JJAN">{{cite news|date=December 3, 1953|title=Ledr. McWhorter Given Command of VF-12|page=5|publisher=Jacksonville Jax Air News|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-jax-air-news-dec-03-1953-p-5/|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref> The ''Essex'' arrived at ] on March 10, and her pilots dispersed for a month-long leave. After meeting his parents-in-law at ] and visiting his family in Athens,<ref name=":0" /> McWhorter was posted to the reforming ] as one of its veteran cadre.{{Sfn|Young|2014|p=49}} VF-12 was attached to ] in 1945, and McWhorter claimed two more Japanese aircraft to raise his victory total to 12.<ref name="JJAN">{{cite news|date=December 3, 1953|title=Ledr. McWhorter Given Command of VF-12|page=5|publisher=Jacksonville Jax Air News|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-jax-air-news-dec-03-1953-p-5/|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref>


McWhorter was awarded the ] five times in recognition of his actions. He was among the seven original inductees into the ] when it was established in 1989.<ref name="Plaque"/>{{sfn|Danilov|1997|page=}}<ref name="Burson">{{cite news|author=Burson, Pat|date=August 27, 1989|title=State Inducting Seven Into Aviation Hall of Fame|page=B5|newspaper=]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55818282/georgia-aviation-hall-of-fame/|url-access=subscription|access-date=October 8, 2018|via=]}}</ref> McWhorter was awarded the ] five times in recognition of his actions. He was among the seven original inductees into the ] when it was established in 1989.<ref name="Plaque"/>{{sfn|Danilov|1997|page=}}<ref name="Burson">{{cite news|author=Burson, Pat|date=August 27, 1989|title=State Inducting Seven Into Aviation Hall of Fame|page=B5|newspaper=]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55818282/georgia-aviation-hall-of-fame/|url-access=subscription|access-date=October 8, 2018|via=]}}</ref>


After the war, McWhorter was given command of ], an aviation unit of the United States Navy.<ref name="JJAN"/><ref name="Tucson">{{cite news |title=Florida Ace Leading Navy list; has 34 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tucson-daily-citizen-feb-24-1945-p-10/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |newspaper=] |date=February 24, 1945}}</ref> After the war, McWhorter was given command of ], an aviation unit of the United States Navy.<ref name="JJAN"/><ref name="Tucson">{{cite news |title=Florida Ace Leading Navy list; has 34 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tucson-daily-citizen-feb-24-1945-p-10/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |newspaper=] |date=February 24, 1945}}</ref>


He ended his Navy career as ] of ] in 1969 and retired to ].<ref name="Gonzalez">{{Cite news|last=Gonzalez|first=Blanca|date=April 24, 2008|title=Hamilton "Mac" McWhorter; former Navy commander had an early love of flying|newspaper=]|url=http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20080424/news_1m24mcworte1.html|access-date=July 21, 2020}}</ref> McWhorter's memoir, coauthored by Jay Stout, was published by Pacifica in 2001 as ''The First Hellcat Ace''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Mersky|first=Peter B.|date=March–April 2002|title=Professional Reading|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/2000/2002/march-april/proread.pdf|magazine=]|page=40}}</ref>{{sfn|McWhorter|Stout|2001}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/stout-jay-1959 |title=Stout, Jay A |publisher=encyclopedia.com|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref> He ended his Navy career as ] of ] in 1969 and retired to ].<ref name="Gonzalez">{{Cite news|last=Gonzalez|first=Blanca|date=April 24, 2008|title=Hamilton "Mac" McWhorter; former Navy commander had an early love of flying|newspaper=]|url=http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20080424/news_1m24mcworte1.html|access-date=July 21, 2020}}</ref> McWhorter's memoir, coauthored by Jay Stout, was published by Pacifica in 2001 as ''The First Hellcat Ace''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Mersky|first=Peter B.|date=March–April 2002|title=Professional Reading|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/2000/2002/march-april/proread.pdf|magazine=]|page=40}}</ref>{{sfn|McWhorter|Stout|2024}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/stout-jay-1959 |title=Stout, Jay A |publisher=encyclopedia.com|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref>


===Affiliations=== ===Affiliations===
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|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=110}} |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=China_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=China_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|other_device=a|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|other_device=|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|- |-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
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|colspan="3"|] |colspan="3"|]
|- |-
|]<br>w/ four {{frac|5|16}}" ]{{sfn|Stout|2013|pages=}} |]<br>w/ four {{frac|5|16}}" ]{{sfn|Stout|2013|pages=}}
|]<br/>w/ {{frac|5|16}}" Silver Star and {{frac|5|16}}" Gold Star |]<br/>w/ {{frac|5|16}}" Silver Star and {{frac|5|16}}" Gold Star
|] |]
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|]<br>w/ one {{frac|3|16}}" ] |]<br>w/ one {{frac|3|16}}" ]
|] |]
|]<br>w/ one {{frac|3|16}}" bronze star |]
|- |-
|] |]
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|} |}
* Permanent Citation for the Gold Star awarded by ] ] (1947)<ref name="LBI">{{cite news |title=Naples Navy Aviator Awarded Gold Star |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/long-beach-independent-jan-13-1947-p-16/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |newspaper=] |date=January 13, 1947 |page=16}}</ref> * Permanent Citation for the Gold Star awarded by ] ] (1947)<ref name="LBI">{{cite news |title=Naples Navy Aviator Awarded Gold Star |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/long-beach-independent-jan-13-1947-p-16/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |newspaper=] |date=January 13, 1947 |page=16}}</ref>
* ] (1989){{sfn|Danilov|1997|page=}}<ref name="Burson"/> * ] (1989){{sfn|Danilov|1997|page=}}<ref name="Burson"/>
* ] awarded to American fighter aces, collectively May 23, 2014<ref name="Gold Medal"/><ref name="Vogt">{{cite news |last1=Vogt |first1=Tom |title=Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America's fighter aces |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/08/off-beat-wwii-pilot-one-of-the-faces-of-americas-fighter-aces/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |newspaper=] |date=February 8, 2016}}</ref> * ] awarded to American fighter aces, collectively May 23, 2014<ref name="Gold Medal"/><ref name="Vogt">{{cite news |last1=Vogt |first1=Tom |title=Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America's fighter aces |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/08/off-beat-wwii-pilot-one-of-the-faces-of-americas-fighter-aces/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |newspaper=] |date=February 8, 2016}}</ref>


==Personal== ==Personal==
] ]
In January 1943 he married Louise Edel. Together they had 5 children: Donald, Bill, Georgia, Hamilton, and Jon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/obituary.aspx?n=louise-edel-mcwhorter&pid=191373740 |title=Louise Edel McWhorter |newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=January 27, 2019|publisher=Legacy.com |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref> He retired as a Navy commander in 1969 in ].<ref name="SSHellcat" /> In January 1943 he married Louise Edel. Together they had 5 children: Donald, Bill, Georgia, Hamilton, and Jon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/obituary.aspx?n=louise-edel-mcwhorter&pid=191373740 |title=Louise Edel McWhorter |newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=January 27, 2019|publisher=Legacy.com |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref> He retired as a Navy commander in 1969 in ].<ref name="SSHellcat" />


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==Published work== ==Published work==
* {{cite book |last1=McWhorter|first1=Hamilton|year=2001|first2=Jay A. |last2=Stout |title=The First Hellcat Ace |location=Pacifica, California|publisher=Pacifica Press |isbn=0935553495 }}<ref>{{cite web |title=The First Hellcat Ace by Hamilton McWhorter MWSA Review |url=http://www.mwsadispatches.com/library/2006/he-first-hellcat-ace |first1=Bill |last1=McDonald |year=2006}}</ref> * {{cite book |last1=McWhorter|first1=Hamilton|year=2024|first2=Jay A. |last2=Stout |title=The First Hellcat Ace |location=Havertown, Pennsylvania |publisher=Casemate |isbn=9781636244099 }}


==References== ==References==
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==Bibliography== ==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last1=Cleaver |first1=Thomas McKelvey |title=Pacific Thunder: The US Navy's Central Pacific Campaign August 1943 – October 1944 |date=2017 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford UK |isbn=9781472821843 |page=79 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pacific_Thunder/hMA2DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=hamilton+mcwhorter+iii+university+of+georgia&pg=PA79&printsec=frontcover |accessdate=July 23, 2020 }} * {{cite book |last1=Cleaver |first1=Thomas McKelvey |title=Pacific Thunder: The US Navy's Central Pacific Campaign August 1943 – October 1944 |date=2017 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford UK |isbn=9781472821843 |page=79 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hMA2DwAAQBAJ&dq=hamilton+mcwhorter+iii+university+of+georgia&pg=PA79 |accessdate=July 23, 2020 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Cleaver |first1=Thomas McKelvey |title=Tidal Wave: From Leyte Gulf to Tokyo Bay |date=2018 |publisher=] |location=Oxford UK |isbn=9781472825476 |page=137 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Tidal_Wave/-gpODwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=The+First+Hellcat+Ace+double+ace&pg=PA137&printsec=frontcover |accessdate=July 22, 2020}} * {{cite book |last1=Cleaver |first1=Thomas McKelvey |title=Tidal Wave: From Leyte Gulf to Tokyo Bay |date=2018 |publisher=] |location=Oxford UK |isbn=9781472825476 |page=137 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-gpODwAAQBAJ&dq=The+First+Hellcat+Ace+double+ace&pg=PA137 |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}
* {{cite book |last1=Danilov |first1=Victor |title=Hall of Fame Museums |date=November 30, 1997 |publisher=] |location=Westport, Connecticut |isbn=978-0313300004 |page=159 |edition=1st |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hall_of_Fame_Museums/VUO_J0YzpP0C }} * {{cite book |last1=Danilov |first1=Victor |title=Hall of Fame Museums |date=November 30, 1997 |publisher=] |location=Westport, Connecticut |isbn=978-0313300004 |page=159 |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VUO_J0YzpP0C }}
* {{cite book |last1=Hammel |first1=Eric |orig-year=1992 |year=2010|title=Aces Against Japan |publisher=] |location=New York |isbn=9781890988081 }} * {{cite book |last1=Hammel |first1=Eric |orig-year=1992 |year=2010|title=Aces Against Japan |publisher=] |location=New York |isbn=9781890988081 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Stout |first1=Jay |title=Unsung Eagles: True Stories of America's Citizen Airmen in the Skies |date=2013 |location=Havertown, Pennsylvania |publisher=] |isbn=9781612002095 |pages=69–83 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zmTaAgAAQBAJ&q=hamilton+mcwhorter+iii+distinguished+flying+cross&pg=PA83 }} * {{cite book |last1=Stout |first1=Jay |title=Unsung Eagles: True Stories of America's Citizen Airmen in the Skies |date=2013 |location=Havertown, Pennsylvania |publisher=] |isbn=9781612002095 |pages=69–83 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zmTaAgAAQBAJ&q=hamilton+mcwhorter+iii+distinguished+flying+cross&pg=PA83 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Stout |first1=Jay |title=The First Hellcat Ace |date=2024|location=Havertown, Pennsylvania |publisher=] |isbn=9781636244099 |pages=100–104|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=He8X0AEACAAJ }}
* {{cite book |last1=Tillman|first1=Barrett|year=1979|edition=1st|title=Hellcat: The F6F in World War II |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=]|isbn=978-1557509918}} * {{cite book |last1=Tillman|first1=Barrett|year=1979|edition=1st|title=Hellcat: The F6F in World War II |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=]|isbn=978-1557509918}}
* {{cite book |last1=Young |first1=Edward M. |title=F6F Hellcat Aces of VF-9 |date=March 18, 2014 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford, United Kingdom |isbn=978-1782003359 |page=43 |edition=Aircraft of the Aces (Book 119) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=04WlCwAAQBAJ&q=The+First+Hellcat+Ace+double+ace&pg=PA43 |accessdate=July 22, 2020 }} * {{cite book |last1=Young |first1=Edward M. |title=F6F Hellcat Aces of VF-9 |date=March 18, 2014 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford, United Kingdom |isbn=978-1782003359 |page=43 |edition=Aircraft of the Aces (Book 119) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=04WlCwAAQBAJ&q=The+First+Hellcat+Ace+double+ace&pg=PA43 |accessdate=July 22, 2020 }}
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==External links== ==External links==
* at ]
* '']'' interview with McWhorter, who denies that he signed a meme/mass email that attacked ] and ] {{mdash}} "He said in an e-mail exchange with the Times that he did not write the Gold Star Mothers e-mail, and is tired of hearing about it. He believes someone copied his name from a Web site or from publicity about his memoir The First Hellcat Ace. His wife, Louise, said, "My husband is a Georgia gentleman. He would never write that about a woman."" * '']'' interview with McWhorter, who denies that he signed a meme/mass email that attacked ] and ] {{mdash}} "He said in an e-mail exchange with the Times that he did not write the Gold Star Mothers e-mail, and is tired of hearing about it. He believes someone copied his name from a Web site or from publicity about his memoir The First Hellcat Ace. His wife, Louise, said, "My husband is a Georgia gentleman. He would never write that about a woman.""
* video * video

Latest revision as of 00:38, 3 November 2024

WWII Ace

Hamilton McWhorter III
Nickname(s)"Mac", "One Slug"
Born(1921-02-08)February 8, 1921
Athens, Georgia, US
DiedApril 12, 2008(2008-04-12) (aged 87)
El Cajon, California, US
BuriedFort Rosecrans National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1942 to 1969
RankCommander
UnitVF-9
VF-12
CommandsVF-12
Battles / warsWorld War II
Awards
RelationsWife: Louise (Née Edel) McWhorter

Commander Hamilton McWhorter III (February 8, 1921 – April 12, 2008) was a United States Navy aviator and a flying ace of World War II, credited with shooting down twelve Japanese aircraft. He was the first Hellcat ace, first USN carrier-based double ace, and the first Grumman F6F Hellcat pilot to achieve double ace status. He flew 89 combat missions during World War II while flying with the VF-9 and VF-12 units. On May 23, 2014, he was also posthumously awarded the American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal, when the United States Congress collectively awarded the gold medal to all flying aces: a navy pilot is depicted on the medal in the upper right.

Early life and education

Hamilton McWhorter III was born in 1921 to a middle-class family. The family lived on a farm. When he was nine years old, his father got him on his first flight, which was in a Ford Tri-Motor. He was enrolled at the University of Georgia from 1939 to 1941. He attended Civilian Pilot Training in 1939 and entered the Navy flight program in August 1941.

Navy career

Japanese ship under attack during the air raid at Rabaul Harbor November 1943

McWhorter was selected for fighter training and arrived for training in Miami on December 24, 1941. He graduated from flight school on January 28, 1942, and was commissioned as an ensign on February 9. Advancing to carrier training on the F4F Wildcat at Naval Air Station Norfolk, McWhorter joined Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9), based at East Field on NAS Norfolk, after completing the program in late April. In early October he and the squadron embarked aboard the USS Ranger for Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of Vichy French North Africa. McWhorter flew in an airstrike against Casablanca when the invasion began on November 8. After Vichy French resistance ceased, the Ranger returned to Norfolk. Based at nearby NAS Oceana from December, VF-9 converted to the new F6F-3 Hellcat in early 1943, among the first squadrons to receive them. McWhorter found the Hellcat a "dream to fly" and much superior to the Wildcat. During this period at Norfolk McWhorter met Louise Edel, the daughter of a Navy chaplain, and they married on January 16.

In May 1943 VF-9 departed for the Pacific Theater aboard the newly commissioned carrier USS Essex. He was nicknamed "One Slug" McWhorter after his first kill over Wake Island on October 5, 1943, when McWhorter flew into a formation of Japanese Zeroes and fired one .50-caliber bullet into the plane. The plane exploded and McWhorter earned his first enemy kill. The men in his unit said he was conserving the taxpayers' money by only firing one slug. McWhorter later stated that he only fired one shot because the plane blew up.

Japanese Mitsubishi A6M (Zeros) from the Japanese aircraft Zuikaku preparing to take off at Rabaul, November 1943
Plaque of McWhorter at the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame

On a mission escorting SBD Dauntless dive bombers over Rabaul on November 11, 1943, McWhorter downed two Zeroes. McWhorter's Hellcat was hit several times in the attack, but he was able to land on the Essex. The Hellcat sustained bullet holes on both sides of the fuselage and several that went straight through each wing. During the February 17, 1944, Operation Hailstone airstrikes on Truk, McWhorter downed three Zeroes, bringing his score to ten victories. He thus became the first Hellcat double ace and the first carrier pilot double ace. In his memoirs, McWhorter described the engagement: "My wingman and I ran into three Zekes. The first had a perfect bead on me, but for some reason didn't fire and Bud knocked him down. The other two ran right into my sights, one after the other, inside ten seconds and went down. Less than a mile away another Zero (later identified as "Hamp") was bearing down on me. He could have got me, but strangely, he didn't fire either. I let him have a burst and set him afire."

The Essex arrived at San Francisco on March 10, and her pilots dispersed for a month-long leave. After meeting his parents-in-law at Naval Training Station Sampson and visiting his family in Athens, McWhorter was posted to the reforming VF-12 as one of its veteran cadre. VF-12 was attached to USS Randolph in 1945, and McWhorter claimed two more Japanese aircraft to raise his victory total to 12.

McWhorter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross five times in recognition of his actions. He was among the seven original inductees into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame when it was established in 1989.

After the war, McWhorter was given command of VF-12, an aviation unit of the United States Navy.

He ended his Navy career as executive officer of Naval Air Station Miramar in 1969 and retired to El Cajon. McWhorter's memoir, coauthored by Jay Stout, was published by Pacifica in 2001 as The First Hellcat Ace.

Affiliations

He was a member of the American Fighter Aces Association, the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, and the Tailhook Association.

Awards

Gold starGold starGold starGold star Silver starGold star
Bronze star
Bronze star Silver starBronze starBronze star
Bronze star
Naval Aviator Badge
Distinguished Flying Cross
w/ four 5⁄16" Gold Stars 		Air Medal
w/ 5⁄16" Silver Star and 5⁄16" Gold Star 		Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
w/ one 3⁄16" bronze star 		China Service Medal American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
w/ one 3⁄16" bronze star 		Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
w/ one 3⁄16" silver star and two 3⁄16" bronze stars
World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal
w/ 'Japan' clasp 		National Defense Service Medal
w/ one 3⁄16" bronze star

Personal

The Memoir of Hamilton McWhorter III: The First Hellcat Ace (2024)

In January 1943 he married Louise Edel. Together they had 5 children: Donald, Bill, Georgia, Hamilton, and Jon. He retired as a Navy commander in 1969 in El Cajon, California.

See also

Published work

  • McWhorter, Hamilton; Stout, Jay A. (2024). The First Hellcat Ace. Havertown, Pennsylvania: Casemate. ISBN 9781636244099.

References

  1. ^ Plaque of McWhorter at the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame
  2. "Air Force Journal of Logistics, Volumes 16-18". Air Force Logistics Management Center. XVI NO 1 (Winter AFRP-1): 28. 1992. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  3. Hammel 2010, p. 129.
  4. Stout 2013, p. 77 69-83.
  5. ^ Dorr, Robert F. (October 21, 2019). "Sharp Shooting Hellcat "Mac" McWhorter Runs Up the Score" (PDF). Flight Journal. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  6. ^ 113th Congress. "H.R.685 – American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act". Congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved July 22, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. "American Fighter Aces to Hold 50th Reunion". Museum of Flight. The Museum of Flight. May 22, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  8. ^ Cleaver 2017, p. 79.
  9. Young 2014, pp. 8–9.
  10. Cleaver 2018, p. 137.
  11. Young 2014, pp. 10–12.
  12. ^ Young 2014, pp. 16–18.
  13. ^ "High U. S. Score Against Japs Traced to U. S. Air Teamwork". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. April 2, 1944. p. B12 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Young 2014, p. 27.
  15. Tillman 1979, p. 60.
  16. Young 2014, p. 43.
  17. Young 2014, p. 49.
  18. ^ "Ledr. McWhorter Given Command of VF-12". Jacksonville Jax Air News. December 3, 1953. p. 5. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  19. ^ Danilov 1997, p. 159.
  20. ^ Burson, Pat (August 27, 1989). "State Inducting Seven Into Aviation Hall of Fame". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. B5. Retrieved October 8, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  21. "Florida Ace Leading Navy list; has 34". Tucson Daily Citizen. February 24, 1945. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  22. ^ Gonzalez, Blanca (April 24, 2008). "Hamilton "Mac" McWhorter; former Navy commander had an early love of flying". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  23. Mersky, Peter B. (March–April 2002). "Professional Reading" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. p. 40.
  24. McWhorter & Stout 2024.
  25. "Stout, Jay A". encyclopedia.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  26. Stout 2013, pp. 69-83.
  27. "Naples Navy Aviator Awarded Gold Star". Long Beach Independent. January 13, 1947. p. 16. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  28. Vogt, Tom (February 8, 2016). "Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America's fighter aces". The Columbian. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  29. "Louise Edel McWhorter". San Diego Union-Tribune. Legacy.com. January 27, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2020.

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

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