Dunning, John Paul J. Fontana oral history interview, January 22, 1976 Major General Paul John Fontana was born in Lucca, Italy, to American parents and grew up in Sparks, Nevada. Fontana was assigned sea duty aboard the USS Salt Lake City and went to Pensacola for flight training. The interview includes lengthy descriptions of World War II, from dawn-to-dusk patrols on the West Coast to fighter combat on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. The Grumman "Wildcat," Japanese "Zeros," "Bettys," "Washing Machine Charlies," and Japanese pilots are discussed. Living conditions, fatigue, and improved technology are also mentioned. Note is made of the evolution of air support for ground troops, radar-controlled interception, and a comparison of U.S. and Japanese aircraft. There is also some discussion of the Korean War, including battles at the Yalu River, the F-86 fighters used in raids near Seoul, and the "Panthers" used as air support for ground troops. Prisoners of war in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam are discussed in light of their situation when they were released and the Marine Corps' aid to them. Interviewer: Donald R. Lennon. Length: 3 hours. OH0030 4814769 37217 1711 19760122 eng sound recording oral histories 10.1cm x 6.4cm x 1cm Salt Lake City (Light cruiser) United States. Marine Corps Officers Interviews United States. Marine Corps Aviation Fighter pilots United States Fighter plane combat World War, 1939-1945 Aerial operations Korean War, 1950-1953 Aerial operations Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Aerial operations, American Fighter planes United States Design and construction Kennedy, John F. Anecdotes Bundy, McGeorge Anecdotes DeBlanc, Jefferson J., 1921-2007 Anecdotes Boyington, Gregory Anecdotes Italy Lucca (Italy) United States Florida Pensacola (Fla.) Solomon Islands Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands) Japan Okinawa Island (Japan) United States Alabama Montgomery (Ala.) Vietnam Korea United States Florida Key West (Fla.) United States Nevada Sparks (Nev.) Fontana, Paul J. Fontana, Paul J. creator Lennon, Donald R. contributor This item has been made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Researchers are responsible for using these materials in accordance with Title 17 of the United States Code and any other applicable statutes. If you are the creator or copyright holder of this item and would like it removed, please contact us at als_digitalcollections@ecu.edu. http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/ Military History mh World War II wwii Vietnam War vwar Korean War kwar Marines marines OH0030 Paul J. Fontana oral history interview, January 22, 1976 Major General Paul John Fontana was born in Lucca, Italy, to American parents and grew up in Sparks, Nevada. Fontana was assigned sea duty aboard the USS Salt Lake City and went to Pensacola for flight training. The interview includes lengthy descriptions of World War II, from dawn-to-dusk patrols on the West Coast to fighter combat on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. The Grumman "Wildcat," Japanese "Zeros," "Bettys," "Washing Machine Charlies," and Japanese pilots are discussed. Living conditions, fatigue, and improved technology are also mentioned. Note is made of the evolution of air support for ground troops, radar-controlled interception, and a comparison of U.S. and Japanese aircraft. There is also some discussion of the Korean War, including battles at the Yalu River, the F-86 fighters used in raids near Seoul, and the "Panthers" used as air support for ground troops. Prisoners of war in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam are discussed in light of their situation when they were released and the Marine Corps' aid to them. Interviewer: Donald R. Lennon. Length: 3 hours. Fontana, Paul J. Salt Lake City (Light cruiser) Lennon, Donald R. 19760122 Sound oral histories J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University eng 37217 http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/ United States. Marine Corps--Officers--Interviews United States. Marine Corps--Aviation Fighter pilots--United States Fighter plane combat World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations Korean War, 1950-1953--Aerial operations Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Aerial operations, American Fighter planes--United States--Design and construction Kennedy, John F.--Anecdotes Bundy, McGeorge--Anecdotes DeBlanc, Jefferson J., 1921-2007--Anecdotes Boyington, Gregory--Anecdotes Italy--Lucca (Italy) United States--Florida--Pensacola (Fla.) Solomon Islands--Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands) Japan--Okinawa Island (Japan) United States--Alabama--Montgomery (Ala.) Vietnam Korea United States--Florida--Key West (Fla.) United States--Nevada--Sparks (Nev.) 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