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WWII Flying Ace Visits Patriots Point

asmith May 02, 2013
Commander Maxwell (left) and former Governor Edwards (right)

Commander Maxwell (left) and former Governor Edwards (right)

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum was honored to welcome WWII Ace, Commander Robert Maxwell to visit the USS Yorktown with former Governor James B. Edwards.

As an F-4 Wildcat pilot during WWII, Maxwell survived a crash off the coast of Guadalcanal while providing cover for a striking force of SBDs and TBFs. He spent 16 days (May 2-18, 1943) in the water and on the Island of Tetipari (Solomon Islands) before being rescued by American forces. He later went on to fly F-6 Hellcats while serving aboard the USS San Jacinto with former President George H.W. Bush. During this time, Commander Maxwell earned distinction as the USS San Jacinto’s first Ace and VF-51’s only Ace.

In addition to visiting his former aircraft in the Hangar Deck of the Yorktown, Commander Maxwell met with visitors to the museum and recorded an oral history that will be kept in the Patriots Point digital archives!

What a true American hero!

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3 thoughts on “WWII Flying Ace Visits Patriots Point

  1. Sully Vogel Descendent says:

    I would love to get in touch with Commander Maxwell. I am Sully Vogel’s grandson and would appreciate greatly the opportunity to speak with him about my grandfather.

    1. I have a story about your grandfather, Sully Vogel VF-11 Sundowners that is in the documentary I just produced as well as pictures, please contact me at http://www.ElevenTheMovie.com

      Cmdr. Maxwell is featured as one of the 11 veterans in the film as well.

  2. Tom Maxwell says:

    I just came across this and hope you see it. I am Cmdr. Maxwell’s son. Dad is doing well for being 95 and still living at home with caregivers there to take care of his needs. He recently was flown to Washington, DC bu private jet for the award ceremony of the Congressional Gold Medal to the American Fighter Aces. Send me any questions you have and I’ll see if Dad can remember.

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