Cook Cleland: Difference between revisions
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==Korean Conflict Service== |
==Korean Conflict Service== |
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In February 1951, he returned to active duty as commanding officer of carrier-based Fighting Squadron 653 and flew the Chance-Vought F4U Corsair in 67 combat missions over North Korea. In May 1952, he was shot down by enemy ground fire during an interdiction mission in North Korea and was rescued later the same day. |
In February 1951, he returned to active duty as commanding officer of carrier-based Fighting Squadron 653 and flew the Chance-Vought F4U Corsair in 67 combat missions over North Korea. In May 1952, he was shot down by enemy ground fire during an interdiction mission in North Korea and was rescued later the same day. |
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==Later life== |
==Later life== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Portal|Biography}} |
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* [http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Explorers_Record_Setters_and_Daredevils/trophies/EX10G4.htm Cook Cleland's 1946 Thompson Trophy] |
* [http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Explorers_Record_Setters_and_Daredevils/trophies/EX10G4.htm Cook Cleland's 1946 Thompson Trophy] |
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*[http://www.koreanwarhero.com/History.html The history of F4U-4 Corsair BU 97143, with a history of Squadron VF653] |
*[http://www.koreanwarhero.com/History.html The history of F4U-4 Corsair BU 97143, with a history of Squadron VF653] |
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Revision as of 20:31, 28 November 2010
Cook Cleland | |
|---|---|
| File:Cleland 12.jpg | |
| Nickname(s) | Cookie |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1940-1967 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Air Group 16 USS Lexington (CV-16) |
| Commands | VMF 653 |
| Battles / wars | World War II, Korea |
| Awards | Navy Cross |
| Other work | Air Race Pilot |
Cook Cleland (1916–June 13, 2007) was a World War II United States Navy and civilian air race pilot. He participated in the Battle of Coral Sea and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Cleland won the 1947 and 1949 Thompson Trophy Air Races.[1]
Early life
Cook Cleland was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1916, and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1940.
Navy service
Cleland joined the Navy and became a naval aviator shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He married Ora Lee Cleland during his flight training. After graduation he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Wasp flying the Vought SB2U Vindicator and Douglas SBD dive bombers, providing close air support for the initial Guadalcanal landings. Cleland was on the Wasp when she was sunk in September 1942, spending over 4 hours in the water, waiting for rescue.
Cleland was then assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-16), becoming a plank owner. During his service onboard the "Gray Ghost", he became and air ace, shooting down five Japanese aircraft, unusual for a dive bomber pilot. He and his wingman were also credited with severely crippling the Japanese aircraft carrier Junyō during the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1943. For his valor in action, he received the Navy Cross and many other commendations.[2] On return to the States, he evaluated captured enemy aircraft as a Navy test pilot.
Post WWII
Following WWII, Cleland acquired the Euclid Avenue Airport small airport in suburban Willoughby, Ohio. As a fixed-base operator, he offered flying lessons, banner towing, and air charters.[3]
Cleland bought a surplus Vought FG-1D Corsair, modified it for air racing, named it "Lucky Gallon" and flew it in the 1946 Thompson Trophy Race at an average of 357 miles per hour (575 km/h), finishing second.
Cleland next obtained three Goodyear F2G-1 Super Corsairs with a hefty 28-cylinder Pratt & Whitney Wasp Major rated at more than 3,000 horsepower (2,237 kW). He modified these similarly to his FG-1D, additionally clipping the wingspan a few feet. He flew one of these, #57, to win the 1947 Thompson Trophy with a speed of 396 miles per hour (637 km/h).
The 1948 Thompson saw Cleland return with more modifications to the previous years plane, but the experimental fuel, rated at 200 octane, proved too volatile and caused the induction scoops to be blown loose, taking him out of the race.
Cleland returned in 1949, winning the Thompson for the second time, with a speed of 397 miles per hour (639 km/h).
Wanting to expand his air charter service, Cleland and his partner purchased three surplus PBY Catalina Flying Boats with the intent to modify them for the Alaska hunting and fishing trade. The modifications proved too costly and the planes were sold. The field closed in the latter part of 1952 after Cleland had gone back into Navy active service.
Korean Conflict Service
In February 1951, he returned to active duty as commanding officer of carrier-based Fighting Squadron 653 and flew the Chance-Vought F4U Corsair in 67 combat missions over North Korea. In May 1952, he was shot down by enemy ground fire during an interdiction mission in North Korea and was rescued later the same day.
Later life
Cleland held numerous U.S. Navy staff positions after the Korean War and played a key role in establishing the Defense Intelligence Agency.
In 1967, Cook retired from the Navy in Kodiak, Alaska and moved to Pensacola, Florida, where he opened Cleland Antiques.
In 2000, Cook was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Detroit, Michigan.[4]
Cleland lost his right leg to diabetes, but did manage to attend the final reunion of his Air Group 16 at the dedication of the National World War II Memorial on May 29, 2004. [5]
Cleland died June 13, 2007, leaving a daughter, two sons, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.[6]
References
- ^ "Air Command and Staff College Gathering of Eagles Homepage!". Maxwell Air Force Base, United States Air Force. Retrieved 2008-11-09. [dead link]
- ^ "Cook Cleland, SBD Dive bomber". Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette. 2-10-07. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:Airfields_OH". Paul Freeman. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
- ^ "Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and Museum". Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and Museum. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
- ^ Air Group 16: We Came to Remember (TV Documentary). Washington, D.C.: PBS. 2007.
- ^ "Pensacola Obituaries". Pensacola Florida News. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
