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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The Korean War, 1950-1953 --

Land-Based Air Activities, 1951-1953

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This page features images related to Korean War land-based air operations during 1951-53.

For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage of that conflict, see:

  • The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 -- Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 97162

    U.S. Air Force Fairchild C-119 "Packet" transport aircraft
    , of the 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo)

    Fly in formation over a Fifth Air Force base in Korea, March 1951.
    "These cargo transports are headed for a drop zone northwest of Seoul with paratroopers and combat gear for a jump to cut off fleeing Communists as they try to escape into North Korea." (quoted from original caption).
    Two other "Packets" are parked on the airfield. They are C-119C models, with USAF serial numbers 49-119 (left) and 49-120 (right).
    The mission was "Operation Tomahawk", which dropped the U.S. Army's 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team at Munsan-Ni on 23 March 1951.
    Location is probably Taegu airfield, takeoff base for the operation.
    Plane in the left distance is a C-46.

    Official U.S. Air Force Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 85KB; 595 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97104

    Grumman F7F "Tigercat" Night Figher
    ,
    of Marine aircraft squadron VMF-513

    "Marine Corps Night Fighters in Korea -- Mechanics assigned the care of the F7F flown by Long and Woodward as part of Marine Night Fighter Squadron VMF 513 meet the men as dusk sets in and the F7F Tiger Cats prepare to leap on their prey from the black skies over Korea."
    "(left to right) Pilot Long, USMC; Cpl. T.R. Moore, ...; Sgt. T. R. Choate, USMC; ... Warrant Officer Woodworth." Photograph and caption released by Commander Naval Forces, Far East, under date of 26 May 1951.
    Note that the two sentences use different spellings of the last man's name.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97067

    Master Sergeant Avery C. Snow, USMC


    Climbs out of his F9F "Panther" fighter after completing his 100th Korean War combat mission.
    "He became the first enlisted pilot in the Marine Corps to fly 100 combat missions in a jet-fighter." (Quoted from the original caption)
    This photograph was released by Commander Naval Forces Far East under date of 10 August 1951.
    Note his .38 caliber revolver, carried in a shoulder holster.

    Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 128KB; 600 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97146

    "Senior Papasan"


    "Master Sergeant Robert I. Ward, non-commissioned officer in charge of the First Marine Aircraft Wing's 'Flying Nightmares' squadron radio operators has recently qualified as the senior Papasan in Korea. He has not only completed his quota of night missions but he is the oldest radio operator in the Marine Corps."
    Photograph and caption were released by Commander Naval Forces, Far East, under date of 9 October 1952.
    MSgt. Ward is dressed in rather fancy Korean gentleman's garb. He is posing on the wing of what appears to be a Grumman F7F "Tigercat".

    Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 120KB; 600 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: USMC A348324

    Major John F. Bolt, USMC


    Seated in a U.S. Air Force F-86E "Sabre" jet fighter.
    This plane is an F-86E-6, serial # 52-2852. Note pilot's name painted on the canopy frame, with victory stars and nickname "Darling Dottie" painted below.
    Photo is dated 13 July 1953, two days after Major Bolt shot down his fifth and sixth MiG-15s to become the only U.S. Marine Corps air "Ace" of the Korean War. He achieved the aerial victories while flying with the 5th Air Force as an exchange pilot.
    The original caption states: "Major Bolt, who shot down six Japanese planes during World War II, has flown 89 jet fighter-bomber missions with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, which has been assigned only close support and interdiction missions in Korea. He has flown 37 Saberjet sweeps with the 5th Air Force, which is carrying the air war to the MiGs.
    Photographed by TSgt. Tom Donaldson.

    U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

    Online Image: 100KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: USMC A348322

    Major John F. Bolt, USMC


    Climbing into a U.S. Air Force F-86 "Sabre" jet fighter.
    Photo is dated 13 July 1953, two days after Major Bolt shot down his fifth and sixth MiG-15s to become the only U.S. Marine Corps air "Ace" of the Korean War. He achieved the aerial victories while flying with the 5th Air Force as an exchange pilot.
    The original caption states: "Major Bolt, who shot down six Japanese planes during World War II, has flown 89 jet fighter-bomber missions with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, which has been assigned only close support and interdiction missions in Korea. He has flown 37 Saberjet sweeps with the 5th Air Force, which is carrying the air war to the MiGs.
    Photographed by TSgt. Tom Donaldson.

    U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     


    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage of that conflict, see:

  • The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 -- Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    8 October 2000