Charles R. Stimpson

Charles R. Stimpson
Nickname	Skull
Born	August 24, 1919(1919-08-24) Salt Lake City, Utah
Died	August 1983 (aged 1974–1975) Naval Air Station Miramar
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1941-1956
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Navy Cross Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Air Medal (3)

Charles R. Stimpson (24 August 1919 - 20 August 1983) was a United States Navy fighter ace in the Second World War.

Biography

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Stimpson graduated from Pomona College in 1941 and enlisted in the navy as an aviation cadet. He received his commission and aviator wings in May 1942 and was assigned to Fighting Squadron 11, which became known as The Sundowners.

Flying Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats from Guadalcanal in the summer of 1943, "Skull" Stimpson shot down six Japanese aircraft. He remained with the squadron during its second combat deployment, flying F6F-5 Hellcats from USS Hornet (CV-12) in the Western Pacific during late 1944. He scored ten more kills, including five confirmed and two probables off Formosa on 14 October.

At the end of the war Stimpson was the Sundowners' top ace with 16 victories, receiving the Navy Cross, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and three Air Medals.

Released from active duty in October 1945, Stimpson participated in the naval reserve program until 1956. He settled in the San Diego area, having married into the hotel business. He was widely known as the genial, popular host of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, but maintained his interest in aviation. He died at a Blue Angels performance at NAS Miramar shortly before his 64th birthday.

References

• "Charles R. Stimpson". United States Navy Fighter Pilot Aces of World War Two. AcePilots.com. http://www.acepilots.com/usn_aces.html#Stimpson. Retrieved 2007-11-04. 

External links

Biography portal

• "United States Navy and Marine Corps Aces". Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. 31 March 1997. http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/aces.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-04. 

Persondata
Name	Stimpson, Charles R.
Alternative names
Short description	United States Navy officer
Date of birth	24 August 1919
Place of birth	Salt Lake City, Utah
Date of death	20 August 1983
Place of death	Naval Air Station Miramar