ALEXANDER VRACIU - NEWS
A clerical error...
A medal downgraded...
Justice denied...
It's time to make it right...
TODAY - Please write your Congressman and Senators
and ask them to help right a wrong. We also request that you contact Congressman Andre' Carson (D-IN)
and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) and do two things: Encourage them to keep fighting for Alex and thank them for their continued support on his behalf.
10 October 2008
Our friends at Historic Aviation have recently acquired a new shipment of 1/18 Scale versions of Alex's famous #19 Hellcat, "Gadget" which we first brought to your attention in July of 2007. These planes sold out quickly so we offer our thanks to Historic Aviation for digging some more of these rare models out of the supply chain.
For more information click here: Historic Aviation Press Release | 1/16 Vraciu #19 Hellcat Product Listing
23 January 2008
We recently sent a letter to the Chief of Naval Operations seeking assistance in our pursuit of justice for CDR Vraciu. Unfortunately the letter was returned to sender--after being thoroughly "inspected" by the Pentagon Security Team (the stamps on the envelope show it at least got to the right building).
More stonewalling by the Navy or is this an honest misunderstanding?
As for Alex, well, he's doing fine. We wish him the best as always.
17 December 2007
Our condolences to the family of Rep. Julia Carson who passed away this week at age 69 after battling lung cancer. We thank her for her efforts on Alex's behalf and wish the best to her family.
24 June 2007
Alex Vraciu's #19 Hellcat to Be Released in 1/18 Scale!!!!
A huge thank you goes to James Miklos for pointing us to the imminent release of Alex Vraciu's #19 Hellcat "Gadget" in the monstrous 1/18 scale.
Alex Vraciu's Hellcat in 1:18 Scale
Available for ordering now. Thanks again James!
23 February 2007
As reported in the "USA TODAY" newspaper, Army helicopter pilot Bruce Crandall is to be awarded a long overdue Medal of Honor for his actions in the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam (1965). The Army has shown the courage to admit an oversight. Let's keep on the Navy to do the same!
Ex-helicopter pilot finally recognized for '65 heroism
USA TODAY
02-23-2007
Bruce and Arlene Crandall were recently cruising in their Winnebago along a West Coast highway, the first leg of a cross-country trip to visit their kids, when the couple got a call from the White House.
The official asked to talk with Bruce Crandall, a retired Army helicopter pilot, to say that 41 years after he took part in one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, Crandall was going to receive the Medal of Honor, the highest military medal in the country.
The Army found Crandall's actions on Nov. 14, 1965, "above and beyond the call of duty," according to Army spokeswoman Maj. Cheryl Phillips. On Monday, President Bush will award him the medal at the White House.
The battle at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley was perhaps the first major U.S. battle in Vietnam. It was depicted in a book and in the Mel Gibson film "We Were Soldiers." (Crandall was played by Greg Kinnear.)
The three-day battle pitted 450 U.S. soldiers against 2,000 fighters of the North Vietnamese army in a remote communist sanctuary. Crandall was in the lead of 16 Huey helicopters taking soldiers to a landing zone, dubbed X-Ray, from a base 14 miles away. The copters made several trips to bring in troops and take out the wounded.
He continued his airlifts even though they had been ordered halted and the North Vietnamese had surrounded the U.S. troops. Crandall had to switch helicopters three times because of battle damage, but still landed 22 times and took out at least 70 wounded soldiers.
Surely the Navy can perform a similar action on behalf of Commander Vraciu. Please keep up the pressure on our Congress and Senate. Let's fix this now!
10 January 2007
Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA) lost his re-election bid. With the new Congress in place it will be necessary to establish a relationship with Pombo's successor, Representative Gerald McNerney (D-CA). We thank Congressman Pombo and his office for their assistance and we look forward to working with Rep. McNerney. With a little bit of goodwill and luck we can accomplish this important mission on behalf of a truly remarkable hero, Commander Alex Vraciu, USN (Ret.).
9 January 2007
Alex's appearance on the History Channel's "DOGFIGHTS" series was a great success. He did note that the episode is comprised of two different interviews and that one of his comments was taken out of context. When he made reference to the Japanese fighter pilots as being "good" ("These guys were good!") he was actually referring to a later dogfight over the Japanese Fleet on the Mission Beyond Darkness during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Still, this is an excellent interview with the good Commander and it is available for purchase on DVD at the History Channel's online store.
DOGFIGHTS : THE ZERO KILLER - DVD
For those who wonder about the fate of Alex's wingman, Ensign Lou Little, he was credited with one victory during that dogfight (unmentioned in the History Channel episode) and rotated back to the states when U.S.S. Intrepid was torpedoed.
10 November 2006 - ALEX VRACIU to be featured on The History Channel's DOGFIGHTS series!!!!!!!
THE ZERO KILLERS - December 8, 2006 @ 10PM/9C
1943...the skies over the Pacific. The infamous Japanese Zero is decimating American aircraft. No allied plane can match Japan's deadliest fighter plane manned by skilled Imperial Navy veterans. The American Navy rushes to deploy a new fighter to take on the unstoppable Zero...the F6F Hellcat. The Zero has met its match. Now, you're in the cockpit with legendary dogfighters Robert Duncan, Hamilton McWhorter and Alex Vraciu...their epic dogfights blazing a new chapter in the annals of aerial warfare.
Don't miss it folks!!!!!
Also a heartfelt Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps!! Since 1775, no better friend, no worse enemy. OOH RAH!
16 September 2006 - Commander Vraciu was kind enough to speak with us for a few minutes on the phone today. He sounds like a man in good spirits. Of note was his response to our query, "Of all the Hellcats you flew which one was your favorite?"
True to form, the Commmander chuckled and replied without hestiation, "Whichever one brought me back home!"
When pressed he said that it was probably old #19.
"How did you come up with 'Gadget' as a nickname for your Hellcat?"
"I don't really know. I get asked that question a lot. When we began to get permission to do that sort of thing I just came up with a bunch of ridiculous and silly names. I was going to call it 'Bedpan' but that probably wouldn't have gone over so well. (Laughs.) For whatever reason my Plane Captain put that one (Gadget) on it."
10 August 2006 - Warbird collector Kermit Weeks' Fantasy of Flight Museum is offering T-Shirts and Computer Mouse Pads depicting Alex's famous #19 Hellcat. Contact the Musuem Gift Shop for further information.
These are also available at several online shops including Pilot Wear and Arizona Aviation Supplies.
9 August 2006 - (Sixty-one years ago today the "FAT MAN" atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan by a B-29 named "Bock's Car" effectively ending World War II.)
The Franklin Mint recently issued a 1/48 scale version of Alex's famous #19 Hellcat, BuNo. 40467, "Gadget" (Franklin Mint Model Number B11B313). This is the aircraft that Alex flew during the First Truk Raid--seven of his first nine victories were scored in this fighter. (It is also featured in Robert Taylor's beautiful "Hellcat Fury" painting. It survives--in flying conditon--as a member of the Fighter Collection Museum.) This 1/48 scale collectable is made almost entirely of die cast metal and is very highly detailed. Though no longer in production it is still widely available. Search the Internet for "ARMOUR COLLECTION" or simply "Hellcat B11B313". This is a fine tribute to the valor and heroism of Commander Vraciu. Well done Franklin Mint!
20 July 2006 - The University of North Texas is now offering Alex Vraciu's 1994 Oral History Interview (OH 1037) in book form. Copies are available for only $25.00 via the University's
Oral History Website.
Summer 2006 - "FLIGHT JOURNAL" Magazine has devoted the SUMMER 2006 Issue to the Grumman F6F "Hellcat". Alex Vraciu's F6F-3, "Gadget", is on the cover.
28 May 2006 - The History Channel is looking to feature Alex Vraciu in its acclaimed "DOGFIGHTS" series. Initial word is that the dogfight featured will be Alex's four-kill mission at the "First Truk Raid" (three Zekes, one Rufe). More details as they become available.
27 May 2006 - Sen. John McCain's office contacted us and offered some guidance on how to proceed regarding the subject of Alex's Medal of Honor nomination. We appreciate their help.
24-29 May 2006 - Commander Vraciu is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the USS Intrepid West Coast Reunion. He will not disappoint the crowd!
20 May 2006 - Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA) contacted the Navy Department with an initial inquiry into the Medal of Honor for Alex. The rebuttal was the same as prior attempts to correct the problem. The Navy cited incorrect facts to justify its downgrade of Vraciu's Medal of Honor nomination. The Navy noted that Alex is one of the "greatest national heroes of World War II."
Special Congressional Recognition for Alex's status as a living legend and hero was received. We appreciate Congressman Pombo's efforts as well.
February 2006 - "CLASH OF THE CARRIERS" by Barrett Tillman has been published about the epic "First Battle of the Philippine Sea" (a.k.a. "The Marianas Turkey Shoot"). Alex helped proof read the original manuscript and is featured in the book. It is excellent.
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