Oldest Living Naval Aviator Visits CNAF

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Air Forces, took time to meet with the oldest living Naval Aviator while on board Naval Air Station North Island, March 5.

Vice Adm. David H. Buss and retired Vice Adm. David Richardson, a 99-year-old World War II and Korean War fighter pilot, shared stories and talked about the changes in Naval Aviation over the past 70 years.

Richardson, a Mississippi native, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1936, completed flight training in 1940, and then reported to Fighting Squadron 5 as a front-line pilot, flying Grumman F3Fs and F4Fs during the Pacific War.

Richardson spent time flipping through an old flight log book and recalled critical moments in battle, where he and other Wildcat fighters came across enemy fire, and the measures they took to counter those attacks.

Buss said modern Naval Aviation stands upon the shoulders of World War II aviators like Richardson, who proved themselves and the importance of sea based air assets, in places such as Midway and the Coral Sea.

Richardson responded by pointing out that they were only standing on the shoulders of those brave individuals who had pioneered the concepts of Naval Aviation in the 1920s and 1930s.

The two also discussed the 21st Century Sailors who are a part of Naval Aviation today.

"I think the quality of the people we have serving today is second to none," said Richardson. "The people of my time are often referred to as the 'greatest generation.' But that's just not so."

Throughout his career, Richardson commanded numerous ships, task forces, and air groups to include his tour as Commander, Fleet Air Norfolk and Commander, Sixth Fleet. Richardson served his final active tour as deputy commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and retired from the Navy in 1972 after 36 years of service.

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