This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Donald Losey (Fallhiker), MM1
to remember
Duncan, George, CAPT USN(Ret).
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Last Address Tacoma
Date of Passing Dec 15, 1995
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One of the many Naval Academy graduates to become an ace, George Duncan shot down 13.5 Japanese airplanes while flying with VF-15 off carrier Essex, gaining all his victories in the latter part of 1944.
George Chamberlain Duncan was born on 11 February 1917 in Tacoma, Washington and graduated from the USNA at Annapolis in June, 1939. After two years on the battleship West Virginia, he was accepted for flight training at Pensacola. He earned his wings in mid-1943, but did not join VF-15 on carrier Essex until September of that year. Flying Hellcats, he ultimately flew 54 missions, but did not score his first victory until 15 June 1944, when he shot down a Zero over Iwo Jima.
A few days later, on June 19, during the famous "Marianas Turkey Shoot," he claimed three more Zeros. He made ace on September 12, when he destroyed two more Zeros over the Philippines. The very next day, again over the Philippines, he claimed one Oscar, one Nate, one Betty bomber, and shared credit for another, running his total to 9.5. In late October and early November, he shot down four more Jap fighters; his final aerial victories -- a total of 13.5
He made a career of the Navy, rising to command VF-51 and Air Group 5 during the Korean War. Apparently he also survived a crash of an F9F Panther on the Midway in June 1951.
In July 1951, when the photographed accident occurred on USS Midway, the carrier was in the Mediterranean, VF-21 flying its F9F Panthers. Duncan's brief entry in the American Aces album did not mention the incident, nor his service with VF-21, but I cannot imagine that there were TWO naval aviators named George Duncan with the rank of Commander at that time.
Later in his career, as a Captain, he commanded the carrier USS Ranger, a coveted assignment and a fitting capstone to a distinguished naval career. He retired from the Navy in 1968 and went into law. He passed away in 1995.
Tally Record: 13.5 confirmed
Decorations: Navy Cross, Silver Star, DFC
1951-1954, USS Midway (CV-41)
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Displacement 45,000 Tons, Dimensions, 968' (oa) x 113' x 35' (Max) Armament 18 x 5"/54AA 84 x 40mm, 68 x 20mm, 137 Aircraft. Armor, 7.6" Belt, 3 1/2" Flight Deck, 2" Deck, 6 1/2" Conning Tower. Machinery, 212,000; SHP, Geared turbines, 4 screws Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 4104. Operational and Building Data
Built by Newport News. Designation changed from CV 41 to CVB 41 15 July 1943.
Laid down 27 Oct 1943, launched 20 Mar 1945, commissioned 10 Sept 1945.
Named for the Battle of Midway, USS MIDWAY was the lead ship of her class, three of which were completed, with another two ships cancelled. Serving her country for 47 years, more than 200,000 American veterans served aboard her. During that time, the USS MIDWAY saw service off Vietnam, in the Persian Gulf and in a number of other conflicts and crises. After being the first aircraft carrier forward deployed for 17 years in Yokosuka, Japan, she returned to North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego for decommissioning in April of 1992. In over five decades of service, she received the Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Unit Commendation; U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal; China Service Expeditionary Medal; and Vietnam Service Medal.
Commissioned as CVB 41, the MIDWAY was redesignated as attack aircraft carrier CVA 41 on October 1, 1952, and multi-purpose aircraft carrier CV 41 on June 30, 1975.
Today, the MIDWAY is serving as a floating museum in the city of San Diego. There are two Photo Tours of the USS MIDWAY Museum available. Click here for a Photo Tour with photos from 2007 or click here for photos from 2008 and 2010.
