Fighting Squadron Two - The "Flying Chiefs"
Signed photograph of officers and pilots of VF-2, taken 19 December 1941 aboard Lexington CV-2. Unique in that it was comprised almost entirely of enlisted pilots, the "Flying Chiefs" established an enviable record in the first year of the war.
In July 1942, VF-2 personnel filled out Enterprise Air Group's VF-6, and flew during the Guadalcanal landings and Battle of the Eastern Solomons that August. Squadron Exec James Flatley (top row, fifth from left), commanded Enterprise's VF-10 through February 1943.
Top Row: C. Allard, H.T. Carmody, H.S. Packard, J. Boone, LT James Flatley, LCDR Paul Ramsey, LT L.C. Bauer, F.H. Simpson, C.F. Rinehart, D.C. Barnes, Red Brooks.
Bottom Row: J.A. Achten, Charles Brewer, J.H. Cheek, H.M. Sumrall, Hal Rutherford, Gordon Firebaugh, P.G. Baker, T.S. Gay, G.E. Runyon.