Vejtasa, Stanley Winfield

Date of birth:: July 27th, 1914 (Paris/Montana, United States)
Date of death:: January 23rd, 2013 (Escondido/California, United States)
Nationality:: American

Biography

Stanley Vejtasa was born July 27th, 1914, son of John Vejtasa and Inge Vejtasa-Rinnhagen. Owing to his period of service aboard U.S.S. Enterprise, Stanley wasalso authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citration. Stanley Vejtasa shot down 7 planes in one day.
Promotions:
5 juli 1938: Aviation Cadet;
13 juli 1939: Naval Aviator;
11 augustus 1939: Ensign;
1 november 1956: Captain.
Career:
?: Circle (Montana) High School;
?: Montana State College;
?: University of Montana;
?: Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida;
July 1939: Scouting Squadron 5, USS Yorktown;
May 1942: Operations Officer, Fighting Squadron 10, USS Enterprise;
July 1943: Fighter Training Officer, Naval Air Station, Atlantic City, New Jersey;
August 1943: Officer-in-Charge, Fighting Squadron Training;
November 1944:Commander Fleet Air, Quonset Point/Commanding Officer, Fighting Squadron 97;
June 1945: Commander, Air Group 44;
October 1945: Commanding Officer Fighter Squadron 17;
July 1946: General Line School, Newport, Rhode Island;
May 1947: Navigator, USS Sicily;
November 1947: Commanding Officer, Squadron 10-A / Commanding Officer, Squadron 92;
?: Navy Liaison Officer, Edwards Air Force Base, Edwards, California;
?: Officer in Charge of the Naval Station, Mojave;
January 1951: Air Officer, USS Essex;
April 1953: Commanding Officer, Naval Air Facility, Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California;
April 1955: Operations Officer, Staff, Commander Carrier Division 5;
July 1956: Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island;
juni 1957: Head of Air Weapons Systems, Bureau of Ordnance’s Research and Development Division. Navy Department, Washington DC;
September 21st, 1959: Commanding Officer, USS Firedrake (AE-14);
August 1960: Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet;
November 1962: Commanding Officer, USS Constellation (CVA-64);
?: Head, Air Strike and Carrier Warfare Branch, Strike Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department;
August 1965: Commander Fleet Air, Miramar;

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant (junior grade)
Unit:: Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5), U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: March 10th, 1942

Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant (junior grade)
Unit:: Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5), U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: May 4th, 1942

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. On 4 May, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Vejtasa participated in dive bombing attacks on the enemy in Tulagi Harbor which resulted in the sinking or damaging of at least eight enemy vessels. On 7 May, he took part in a dive bombing attack on an enemy carrier in the Coral Sea which resulted in the sinking of that vessel. On 8 May, while on anti-Torpedo Plane patrol, he engaged enemy bombing and Torpedo Planes heavily supported by fighters which attacked our forces. The attacks on 4 and 7 May were pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire with no regard for personal safety. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Vejtasa's conscientious devotion to duty and gallant self-command against formidable odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Second NC awarded in the form of a golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first NC.

Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: October 26th, 1942

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and leader of a Combat Air patrol of four fighters of Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the engagement with enemy Japanese naval and air forces near the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. As great numbers of enemy dive bombers and Torpedo Planes launched a vicious attack upon his carrier, Lieutenant Vejtasa unhesitatingly challenged and shot down two Japanese dive bombers and then gallantly led his patrol in an attack on a group of enemy Torpedo Planes with such daring aggressiveness that the formation was completely broken and three of the hostile bombers jettisoned their torpedoes as they fled. Lieutenant Vejtasa then personally shot down five of the remaining Japanese planes, making a total of seven enemy aircraft destroyed in a single flight. His superb airmanship and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Third NC awarded in the form of a second gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first NC.

Legion of Merit - US Military

Rank:: Captain

Citation:
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Fleet Air, Miramar from 15 August 1965 to 7 June 1968. Captain Vejtasa played a vital role in the supervision and training of all Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet Fighter Squadrons deployed in carriers in Southeast Asia and in the indoctrination of replacement pilots, naval flight officers and maintenance personnel for those squadrons and our allies. His outstanding foresight enabled him to make vital contributions to future design and development of fighter aircraft and resulted in advanced weapons systems, armament and electronic warning devices for both the presently operational and the future fighter aircraft. His keen employment of Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet Fighter Aircraft contributed significantly to the anti-air warfare readiness of the surface forces in the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He originated and supervised the trans-Pacific flight of replacement jet fighter aircraft, a program essential to the timely support of deployed units. Captain Vejtasa's personal interest and concern for the welfare of all personnel in the fighter community and their families resulted in an exceptional Esprit de Corps within the military and an exceptionally fine rapport with the civilian community. His outstanding leadership, judgment and inspirational personal example were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: Commander Fleet Air, U.S. Navy

Citation (partly);
“For meritorious achievement as Officer-in-Charge, Fighting Squadron Training, under Commander Fleet Air, Quonset Point, from August 1943 to November 1944; and as Commander Fleet Air, Quonset Point, from August 1943 to November 1944 to June 1945. In his capacity as Officer-in-Charge, Fighting Squadron Training and Commanding Officer, Fighting Squadron NINETY-SEVEN"

Bronze Star Medal (BSM)

Period:: Korean War (1950-1953)
Unit:: U.S.S. Essex (CV-9), U.S. Navy

Citation (partly):
“For meritorious achievement as Air Officer of the USS ESSEX during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from July 31, 1952 to 10 January 1953."

Second BSM awarded in the form of a gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first BSM. Awarded with "V" for Valor.