"Vraciu Hellcat" hoodie

Alexander Vraciu was a famous American fighter pilot of the Second World War, considered one of America's greatest naval aviation aces.

Vraciu served in the Pacific aboard aircraft carriers such as the USS Intrepid and USS Lexington, flying Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters. He was wingman to the famous ace Edward “Butch” O'Hare, who passed on crucial air combat tactics to him. On June 19, 1944, during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, known as the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”, Vraciu shot down six Japanese bombers in just eight minutes, using just 360 bullets.

In all, he was credited with 19 aerial victories and the destruction of 21 enemy aircraft on the ground, making him the US Navy's fourth ace of the war. In December 1944, after being shot down over the Philippines, he survived by joining Filipino resistance fighters for several weeks before rejoining American forces.