Lieutenant John (Jack) Lewis Wirth:

Navy Ace with 14 Aerial Victories to his credit.

Born in North Vernon, Indiana in 1917.

Entered the U.S. Navy in 1934, first serving aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4) as a Machinist's Mate. He became a Naval aviator after completing his flight training on March 21, 1942 and received his commission as an Ensign on June 15, 1942.

His first assignment after receiving his wings was with Patrol Squadron 38 (VP-38) which lasted from May until September 1942 where he flew PB4Y in submarine patrols.  In November 1942 he was transferred to  Patrol Wing 11 (later renamed to Fleet Air Wing 11) and took part in flying submarine search patrols.

On May 1, 1943 Lt. (jg) Wirth was attached to the newly formed Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) under the command of Lt. Cmd. Robert Winston at NAS Atlantic City New Jersey.

Lt. (jg) Wirth along with the other members of VF-31 were assigned to the USS Cabot flying the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat fighter. He served with VF-31 onboard the USS Cabot from September 1943 until October 1944. During the time that USS Cabot was engaged in hostilities from January 1944 through September 1944 Lt. (jg) Wirth became a Naval Ace with 14 confirmed aerial victories to his credit.

Engagements flown in which Lieutenant Wirth shot down enemy aircraft:

• January 29, 1944 - Kwajalein Atoll:  Credited with 1 aerial victory in this engagement.
   
• March 30, 1944 - Palau: Lt. (jg) Wirth could not find his division in the predawn hours and found himself tagging along with several divisions from one of the larger fleet carriers where he downed 3 enemy aircraft and was nearly shot down himself, but he was not credited for the kills because he left his group.
  His official Navy report of the action is here and is a very interesting first hand account of aerial combat.  Lt. (jg) Wirth made up for this lost kill credit in the evening of the same day when his division attacked a formation of 9 Judy Dive Bombers heading toward the Task force. All of the attacking enemy planes were destroyed and Lt. (jg) Wirth was credited with 3 aerial victories in this engagement.
   
• April 1, 1944 - Credited with 1 aerial victory
   
• June 19, 1944 - Marianas Turkey Shoot:  Credited with 4 aerial victories in this engagement
   
• July 8, 1944 - Guam - Tinian - Rota Islands Credited with 1 aerial victory in this engagement
   
• September 24, 1944 - Luzon Philippines: Credited with 4 aerial victories in this engagement

Medals Awarded to Lieutenant Wirth while serving with VF-31

• Navy Cross
   
• Silver Star
   
• Gold Star in lieu of 2nd Silver Star
   
• Distinguished Flying Cross
   
• Air Medal
   
• Gold Star in lieu of 2nd Air Medal
   
• Gold Star in Lieu of 3rd Air Medal
   

VF-31 was rotated out of combat in October 1944 and the pilots of VF-31 returned to the United States. Lt. Wirth was stationed at San Diego NAS (Naval Air Station) in November of 1944. Lt Jack Wirth died in a plane crash outside of San Diego near the town of Alpine California on April 13, 1945.