INLAKE-L Archives

From: "cheryl BALOG wenberg" <>
Subject: VRACIU Interesting Military story on one of Lake County's own
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 16:28:41 -0500

ALEX VRACIU Jr. Class of 1937

By: Archibald McKinlay Class of 1945 Chicago, Illinois

There was nothing in his background that suggested he would become the Red Baron
of the Navy. Delivered by a midwife at home in Indiana Harbor, this handsome son
of a Romanian hotel keeper and policeman was simply a well mannered, good student
inclined toward aesthetics and enjoyment of the fine things in life. It surprised
no one in his Block-Pennsy neighborhood, therefore, when following graduation from
Washington High School in 1937, Alex VRACIU Jr. won an academic scholarship
to DePauw University.

But, the war was coming and when the government offerred Civilian Pilot training
(CPI), Alex took advantage of it between his junior and senior years in college, and
following graduation in 1941, just prior to Pear Harbor, he entered the Naval
Flight Training. After earning his wings in August, 1942, and qualifying for carriers
in Lake Michigan on a converted excursion ship, he became a wingman for Lt. Commander
Edward H. (Butch) O'Hare, the Medal of Honor winner for whom O'Hare Airport is
named. While flying section lead in October, 1943, at Wake Island, Alex shot
down his first enemy aircraft, a Japanese Zero. He got a bomber at Tarawa, and
on January 29, 1944, he became an "Ace" after downing three more bombers over
Kwajalalein, the last destroyed after a long, low-level pursuit with only one gun
firing part time.

At the first Truk raid, February 16, he noticed three Zero's and one Rufe in a
wild dogfight, but lost his carrier, the Intrepid, which was torpedoed.

Sent Stateside, Alex asked to be returned to combat duty, and the Navy assigned
him to the LEXINGTON. He downed two more Zeroes at the second Truk raid on
April 29, and shot down another bomber, his 12th kill, north of Saipan on June
12th. By then, he was seeking out fat-bellied Betty bombers because he had been
told it was one of them that had shot down Butch O'Hare. VRACIU next
(on June 14th) sank a large enemy merchant ship, with a direct hit on its stern.
And then, on June 19th, he experienced his most productive time in the Navy.
Within just 8 minutes, Alex VRACIU bagged six dive bombers.
Working in close because of his oil-streaked windshield, he incredibly used only
360 rounds of ammuntion. The next day, while flying escort for bomber and
torpedo planes on a record, long range strike against the Japanese Fleet in the
First Philippine Sea Battle, he shot down a Zero, and damaged another. At that
point, he was America's leading Naval Ace.

Naturally, the Navy sent him home to sell war bonds. He hated it, but it did have
its moments. More than 6,000 townspeople greeted him at a homecoming ceremony
at Block Stadium. Mayor Frank MIGAS, Governor Henry F. SCHRICKER, and many
others sang his praises. It was during this visit home that he met and married
the prettiest girl in town, 21 year old Kathryn HORN, who in High School had been
the perennial Miss Washington. VRACIU then returned to the Pacific, but he had
used up all of his luck. While strafing near Clark Field in the Philippines on Dec.
14, anti-aircraft fire shot him down, and after sticking with the plane long enough
to avoid winding up on the enemy airfield, he parachuted into a clearing in the
jungle where guerillas met him and put him in charge of 180 men. Hearing that
McArthur would soon land, he led the group toward a link-up. On the way, however,
they were ambushed by another band of guerillas, it turned out, and the three
men next to him were killed. Finally, though Alex VRACIU Jr. of Indiana Harbor
marched into an American camp sporting a Japanese pistol, a Japanese sword,
and an inch long beard.

For all of his exploits, VRACIU was honored by the East Chicago, Hall of Fame
on April 26, 1987, at the K. C. Hall. In all, VRACIU shot down 19 planes, destroyed
21 more on the ground, and survived service on six carriers (two of which were
torpedoed), two ditchings, and two parachute jumps, as he became known as both.
The Indestructible and the Grumman Aircraft's best customer.

Twelve years after the war, jet test pilot VRACIU showed he still was the best
when he won ther High Individual Air-to-Air Competition Naval Air Weapons
Meet at El Centro in California, out shooting all of the top Naval and Marine
pilots in the nation.

cheryl BALOG wenberg

Sent Stateside, Alex asked to be returned to combat duty, and the Navy assigned
him to the Lexington

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• VRACIU Interesting Military story on one of Lake County's own by "cheryl BALOG wenberg" <>