Navy base to honor World War II ace
EL CENTRO — The memory of one of the U.S. Navy’s most accomplished fighter pilots of World War II will be honored at Naval Air Facility El Centro by naming its airfield in his honor.
Adm. J.M. Richardson, the chief of naval operations, approved NAF El Centro’s request to name its airfield after legendary WW2 ace Cmdr. Alexander Vraciu on Tuesday, the base announced in a release.
The installation will begin planning to officially christen the airfield “Vraciu Field” and commemorate the occasion next year,” the release said. “The airfield was previously unnamed.”
“Cmdr. Vraciu exemplified the Navy core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment throughout his career,” said Vice Adm. Mary M. Jackson, commander of Navy Installations Command, in her endorsement of the installation’s request.
Vraciu earned himself the one-time designation of top-scoring Navy fighter ace for more than three months in 1944 and the enduring title of fourth-ranked U.S. Navy fighter ace of all time, having accumulated 19 aerial victories in his lifetime.
Later in his career Vraciu, then commanding officer of VF-51, visited the Imperial Valley in April 1957 to compete in the Second Annual Naval Air Weapons Meet held by the Fleet Air Gunnery Unit stationed at NAF El Centro. In that competition, he earned top honors, achieving the highest individual score.
“Cmdr. Vraciu’s record distinguishes him as one of WWII’s most outstanding combat pilots. It is appropriate to name the airfield at NAF El Centro in honor of Cmdr. Vraciu because he embodies the finest qualities of U.S. Naval Aviators,” Jackson added in her endorsement.
“CDR Vraciu’s exceptional wartime performance and demonstrated excellence throughout his career serve as an example to all sailors. Our installation’s role is to prepare our warfighters to succeed in aerial combat, and we hope all those who train here will be inspired by and emulate his warrior spirit. The NAF El Centro team is absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to honor this hero of naval aviation,” said Capt. Brent Alfonzo, the installation’s commanding officer.
Additional information about CDR Alexander Vraciu is available at https://www.history. navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/ library/research-guides/ modern-biographical-files-ndl/modern-bios-v/vraciu-alexander. html.