Name/Title
Elisha "Smokey" Stover Exiting his F6F Hellcat after his 7,000th LandingDescription
This photograph shows Elisha "Smokey" Stover standing on the wing of his Gruman F6F Hellcat following the 7,000th landing on the USS Yorktown (CV-10). He can be seen holding a plotting board in his hand.Context
Elisha Terrill "Smokey" Stover was a F4F Wildcat pilot with VF-8 on the USS Hornet (CV-8) and VF-5 aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and later at Guadalcanal in 1942 where he downed 4 Japanese planes earning the Air Medal. Transferred aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10) as a Fighter Director Officer in CIC in 1944, he appeared in scenes of "The Fighting Lady" and later returned to flight status with VF-5 when he was shot down over Truk Atoll on February 16, 1944.Collection
Smokey Stover CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2023.73Acquisition Method
Found in CollectionUpdate Date
October 5, 2026