Former NAS Pensacola flight instructor LT James A. “Red” Shirley prepares to deck launch in his Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat, circa late 1944. Shirley scored 12.5 confirmed aerial victories, including bagging 3.5 Zekes and a Tony on September 21st, flying with VF-27 off the USS Princeton. His combat awards include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Distinguished Flying Cross. After a long and distinguished career ‘Red’ retired from the Navy in 1968 as a Captain.
Completed 2023
Collection of Jordan Loeffler
Former NAS Pensacola flight instructor LT James A. “Red” Shirley prepares to deck launch in his Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat, circa late 1944. Shirley scored 12.5 confirmed aerial victories, including bagging 3.5 Zekes and a Tony on September 21st, flying with VF-27 off the USS Princeton. His combat awards include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Distinguished Flying Cross. After a long and distinguished career ‘Red’ retired from the Navy in 1968 as a Captain.