Name/Title
Elisha "Smokey" Stover Just Before Boarding the USS Hornet (CV-8)Description
This photograph shows Elisha "Smokey" Stover just before his deployment aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8).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 CollectionInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
Back of photographTranscription
3-29-42
San Diego Calif.
Just before boarding the old HornetUpdate Date
October 5, 2026
