Hellcat naval fighter ace who shot down 5 Japanese war planes in one day over the Pacific

Signed photograph with military inscriptions

(1920-2014) John Theodore (Ted) Crosby was born in Eureka, California, and he joined the U.S. Navy in 1942, and was commissioned in 1943. On April 16, 1945, Lieutenant Crosby, an experienced fighter pilot, served on the U.S.S. Hornet and flying his F6F Hellcat, scored 5 victories when he shot down 5 Japanese war planes over the Pacific Ocean becoming a Hellcat fighter ace on a single mission in one day! Ted Crosby remained in the Navy after the war and retired with the rank of commander. Although he had a long and distinguished naval career, the memories of his days aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill and U.S.S. Hornet remain fresh in his mind, even after the passage of over 65 years. He died at the V.A. Hospital in Palo Alto, California, on January 24, 2014, and is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, in San Bruno, California.

Signed Photograph With Inscriptions: 5 x 3 1/2. Excellent black and white image of Lieutenant Ted Crosby, U.S.N., seated in the cockpit of his Hellcat fighter plane wearing his goggles on his forehead, and his helmet and earphones are in place. Beautifully signed with inscription in ink, "To: Cliff, Ted Crosby, Cdr. U.S.N. (Ret)., Sqds. VF 18 & 17. Ace in a Day at Okinawa." Choice condition. Very desirable signed WWII United States Navy Hellcat fighter ace's autographed image.