John L. Wirth

On April 13, 1945, Lieutenant Wirth was killed when his F6F Hellcat crashed outside the town of Alpine, California. He was buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery in his hometown of North Vernon.

On June 19, 1944, Lieutenant Wirth's squadron took part in the battle of the Philippine Sea, also known as the Marianas Turkey Shoot. Wirth and five other pilots in his group downed 15 enemy aircraft, with Wirth personally downing four of them. Lieutenant Wirth was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions that day.

Lieutenant Wirth was credited with his tenth kill on July 8, becoming a double ace. On September 24, 1944, Wirth downed four more aircraft over the Philippines, his final victories of the war. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions.

On May 1, 1943, Wirth was promoted to lieutenant, junior grade and assigned to Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31). VF-31 was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Cabot in September, and began flying F6F Hellcats in combat operations in January 1944. On January 29, 1944, Wirth scored his first aerial victory over Kwajalein Atoll.

Wirth was promoted to warrant machinist upon completed flight training on March 21, 1942 and was commissioned as an ensign on June 15. Upon earning his wings, Wirth was assigned to a series of patrol squadrons, flying Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateers on anti-submarine patrols.

John Louis Wirth (April 25, 1917 – April 13, 1945) was a highly decorated United States Navy officer. He was a flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories and was awarded the Navy Cross during World War II.

John L. Wirth was born on April 25, 1917 in North Vernon, Indiana. Wirth enlisted in the Navy on September 18, 1934. His first assignment was aboard the USS Ranger, where Wirth served as a machinist's mate for five years.