Fred Ernst Gutt (October 10, 1919 – June 30, 2012) was a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot who became an ace in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
Fred E. Gutt | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 10, 1919 Kronstadt, Romania[1] |
| Died | June 30, 2012 (aged 92)[2] Rolling Bay, Washington |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Air Medal |
Early life edit
Fred E. Gutt was from Madison, Wisconsin, although he was born in Kronstadt, Romania. He was a 1941 graduate of the University of Wisconsin.[3]
World War II edit
Gutt was assigned to Marine fighter squadron VMF-223. Initially flying Grumman F4F Wildcats, 2d Lt. Gutt arrived with VMF-223 on Guadalcanal on 20 August 1942, to operate as part of the Cactus Air Force. He was evacuated with the unit on 12 October.[4] Reequipped with Vought F4U-1 Corsairs, VMF-223 returned to action in the Solomon Islands in 1943.[5]
On 28 December 1943, Gutt shot down three Japanese fighter planes in less than five minutes during a fighter sweep over Rabaul, bringing his score to seven.[6][7] He finished his combat duty with eight kills.[8][9] Four kills were each scored in the F4F and the F4U.[10] He shot down four Mitsubishi A6M Zeros, two Rufes, a float biplane, and a bomber.[11][12]
Gutt was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross twice.[13]
References edit
- ^ Olesan, James A., "In Their Own Words – The Final Chapter: True Stories From American Fighter Aces", iUniverse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2011, ISBN 978-1-4502-9806-3, page 142.
- ^ "Fred e. Gutt". 30 June 2012.
- ^ "The University of Wisconsin Collection - Collection - UWDC - UW-Madison Libraries".
- ^ "Marine Fighting Squadron 223".
- ^ "Marine Attack Squadron 223".
- ^ "Becomes Ace". The Capital Times. December 31, 1943. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Associated Press, "New Air Ace", The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, Monday 3 January 1944, Volume 61, Number 234, page 2.
- ^ Toliver, Raymond F. and Constable, Trevor J., "Fighter Aces of the U.S.A.", Aero Publishers, Inc., Fallbrook, California, 1979, Library of Congress card number 79-53300, ISBN 0-8168-5792-X, page 377.
- ^ "Summaries of 20 USMC Fighting Squadrons in WW2".
- ^ "List of Marine Corps Aces in WW2 - Wildcat and Corsair pilots".
- ^ Olesan, James A., "In Their Own Words – The Final Chapter: True Stories From American Fighter Aces", iUniverse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2011, ISBN 978-1-4502-9806-3, page 142.
- ^ Oleson, James A. (2011-03-16). In Their Own Words - the Final Chapter: True Stories from American Fighter Aces. ISBN 9781450290463.
- ^ "List of Marine Corps Aces in WW2 - Wildcat and Corsair pilots".
