Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum
Online-Only Exhibit
Aviator's Flight Diaries
An Online-Only Exhibit focusing on a collection of Aviator's Flight Log Books. A personal look at flying diaries from naval aviators, flight officers and aircrewmen from NAS Fort Lauderdale and other Florida bases during and after World War II. In between their worn out pages we can explore the rigorous training, their flight accomplishments, and oftentimes their personal experiences. The diaries are nondescript in appearance, with worn covers and pages. The writing lists in methodical fashion the length and type of each flight hour, yet, there is much more to these Aviator Flight Log Books: you'll be able to sense the individual stories of young and seasoned men at war. This exhibit was curated by volunteer Lauren Crawford, a University of Florida student.
In each of the Aviators Flight Log Books are columns for Date, Type of Machine, Number of Machine, Duration of Flight, Character of Flight, Pilot's name, Passengers, and Remarks. The back of the diaries have several pages for notes.
In each of the Aviators Flight Log Books are columns for Date, Type of Machine, Number of Machine, Duration of Flight, Character of Flight, Pilot's name, Passengers, and Remarks. The back of the diaries have several pages for notes.
CHARACTER OF FLIGHTS
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Captain Thomas "Tex" Ellison
Ellison was the uncle of former Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle. Ellison had just returned from combat in the Pacific theater when he was commissioned as an experienced Instructor at NAS Fort Lauderdale. Ellison joined the US Navy as an aviator and served for 32 years before retiring in 1970. He fought in the battle of the Coral Sea, then came to NAS Fort Lauderdale to train pilots. He then returned with "Squadron Able" to Japan, for further combat. All planes returned safely. He was the recipient of numerous awards, medals and honors including the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, five Air Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal for his work with NATO all of which are archived at this Museum, along with four Aviators Flight log books from Captain Ellison, comprising his military career from 1939 to the late 1960's. He passed away at 91 years old on November 30th, 2005 in Pensacola, Florida.
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Ellison was the uncle of former Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle. Ellison had just returned from combat in the Pacific theater when he was commissioned as an experienced Instructor at NAS Fort Lauderdale. Ellison joined the US Navy as an aviator and served for 32 years before retiring in 1970. He fought in the battle of the Coral Sea, then came to NAS Fort Lauderdale to train pilots. He then returned with "Squadron Able" to Japan, for further combat. All planes returned safely. He was the recipient of numerous awards, medals and honors including the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, five Air Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal for his work with NATO all of which are archived at this Museum, along with four Aviators Flight log books from Captain Ellison, comprising his military career from 1939 to the late 1960's. He passed away at 91 years old on November 30th, 2005 in Pensacola, Florida.
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David Epstein, Parachute Rigger 2nd Class
Crewman part of the U.S Atlantic Fleet Air Force, Torpedo Squadron 153. The third page of this log book contains George H.W. Bush' signature as Lieutenant JG, aboard an Avenger TBF-1C, number of machine 48015, date May 23, 1945. David Epstein donated his Aviators Log Book along with a personal letter to President George H.W. Bush and other memorabilia, which are on display at this Museum.
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Crewman part of the U.S Atlantic Fleet Air Force, Torpedo Squadron 153. The third page of this log book contains George H.W. Bush' signature as Lieutenant JG, aboard an Avenger TBF-1C, number of machine 48015, date May 23, 1945. David Epstein donated his Aviators Log Book along with a personal letter to President George H.W. Bush and other memorabilia, which are on display at this Museum.
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Karl S. Olson
On this Aviator's log book we can see the entries for training exercises. Character of Flights is in capital letters such as F for Gunnery, G for Bombing, H for Torpedo, etc. The entries on this log are for Bombing, Gunnery, Tactical, Night Flying, Carrier Landings, Scouting, Torpedo and Navigation.
On this Aviator's log book we can see the entries for training exercises. Character of Flights is in capital letters such as F for Gunnery, G for Bombing, H for Torpedo, etc. The entries on this log are for Bombing, Gunnery, Tactical, Night Flying, Carrier Landings, Scouting, Torpedo and Navigation.
F. E. Porta AMMAC2 USN
F.E. Porta served with Squadron VPB-119, which flew combat missions between March and August 1945. During that time, this Squadron lost 79 men, KIA or MIA. The entire squadron was comprised of approximately 225 officers and enlisted men so, they lost over 1/3 of their complement in 5 months. Porta was at Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines in 1945, then went to Japan and at the end of the war, back to Sand Diego, California.
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F.E. Porta served with Squadron VPB-119, which flew combat missions between March and August 1945. During that time, this Squadron lost 79 men, KIA or MIA. The entire squadron was comprised of approximately 225 officers and enlisted men so, they lost over 1/3 of their complement in 5 months. Porta was at Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines in 1945, then went to Japan and at the end of the war, back to Sand Diego, California.
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John George Munk USNR
On this flying diary we can see records for flight clothing and returned items, Flight Time totals and Pilot's individual accident and flying regulation violation record.
On this flying diary we can see records for flight clothing and returned items, Flight Time totals and Pilot's individual accident and flying regulation violation record.
Allan C. Jones USNR
On this diary we can see an aviator entries for night flying and field carrier practice, until he finally qualifes to land aboard a carrier in his aircraft. Also a Flight Schedule was found inside this log book, with a US Pacific Fleet Fighting Squadron ninety-eight, instructions sheet.
On this diary we can see an aviator entries for night flying and field carrier practice, until he finally qualifes to land aboard a carrier in his aircraft. Also a Flight Schedule was found inside this log book, with a US Pacific Fleet Fighting Squadron ninety-eight, instructions sheet.
Harry Eugene Futty USNR
We can see a definition for the Character of Flights on the first page of this Aviators Flight Log book.
We can see a definition for the Character of Flights on the first page of this Aviators Flight Log book.
The Mysterious "Smith"
On this particular flight diary, the author did not leave much information. The first four pages on this log book were razor-cut. There is no record of dates, flights, names or remarks. The author marked the last name of "Smith" in the book's front spine and scratched out the word "Blackburn" at the bottom spine. The last 17 pages of this diary are handwritten in pencil with a note of "TYPE" that perhaps the author meant for typing at a later time. These pages have passages from the following books and songs: Under the Lion's Paw, by Hamlin Garland; The Treasure of Vasco Gomez, by Stephen Vincent Benét; The Last Class, by Alphonse Daudet and Quality, by John Galsworthy. Then, there are more pages with just handwritten titles for: War, by Jack London; Mammon and the Archer, by O. Henry; White Horse Winter, by Wilbur Daniel Steele; Clothes Make The Man, by Booth Tarkington and The Hack Driver, by Sinclair Lewis. Perhaps within these passages we can find the answer to his identity.
On this particular flight diary, the author did not leave much information. The first four pages on this log book were razor-cut. There is no record of dates, flights, names or remarks. The author marked the last name of "Smith" in the book's front spine and scratched out the word "Blackburn" at the bottom spine. The last 17 pages of this diary are handwritten in pencil with a note of "TYPE" that perhaps the author meant for typing at a later time. These pages have passages from the following books and songs: Under the Lion's Paw, by Hamlin Garland; The Treasure of Vasco Gomez, by Stephen Vincent Benét; The Last Class, by Alphonse Daudet and Quality, by John Galsworthy. Then, there are more pages with just handwritten titles for: War, by Jack London; Mammon and the Archer, by O. Henry; White Horse Winter, by Wilbur Daniel Steele; Clothes Make The Man, by Booth Tarkington and The Hack Driver, by Sinclair Lewis. Perhaps within these passages we can find the answer to his identity.
George F. Weixler
George F. Weixler from Ridgewood, Long Island, was a Radio and Search Gunner from the United States Marine Corps, serving during World War II on a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft. He was part of Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 243, which saw action against Japanese forces in the Phillipine Islands area at Noumea, New Caledonia, Espiritu Santos, Efate Island, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Munda, New Georgia, Emirau, Bismarck Arch, Hollandia, New Guinea, Luzon, Mindanao, Seeadler Bay and Los Negros. Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 243 (VMSB-243), was a dive bomber squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Flying Goldbricks”, fought in World War II during the Battle of Bougainville and later in the Philippines campaign (1944–45). They were deactivated shortly after the end of the war on September 25, 1945. George also served in the Korean Conflict. In this diary there are many mementos of George F. Weixler's experience in the war. From photographs, to paper currency, to sentimental mementos such a feather he found one day, which reminded him of Native Americans such as the Navaho "Code Talkers" helping with the war effort. In his diary he kept detailed records of missions and sudden enemy raids which sadly would injure or kill some of his close fellow marines. Fortunately for George, he was never injured. After the wars, George worked at his family's thermometer manufacturing plant and when he retired he moved to Fort Lauderdale Florida, where he currently resides. George donated these images to the NASFL Museum for its Online-Only Exhibits.
George F. Weixler from Ridgewood, Long Island, was a Radio and Search Gunner from the United States Marine Corps, serving during World War II on a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft. He was part of Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 243, which saw action against Japanese forces in the Phillipine Islands area at Noumea, New Caledonia, Espiritu Santos, Efate Island, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Munda, New Georgia, Emirau, Bismarck Arch, Hollandia, New Guinea, Luzon, Mindanao, Seeadler Bay and Los Negros. Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 243 (VMSB-243), was a dive bomber squadron in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron, also known as the “Flying Goldbricks”, fought in World War II during the Battle of Bougainville and later in the Philippines campaign (1944–45). They were deactivated shortly after the end of the war on September 25, 1945. George also served in the Korean Conflict. In this diary there are many mementos of George F. Weixler's experience in the war. From photographs, to paper currency, to sentimental mementos such a feather he found one day, which reminded him of Native Americans such as the Navaho "Code Talkers" helping with the war effort. In his diary he kept detailed records of missions and sudden enemy raids which sadly would injure or kill some of his close fellow marines. Fortunately for George, he was never injured. After the wars, George worked at his family's thermometer manufacturing plant and when he retired he moved to Fort Lauderdale Florida, where he currently resides. George donated these images to the NASFL Museum for its Online-Only Exhibits.
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