Dean Caswell

Dean Caswell (July 24, 1922 – September 21, 2022) was a United States Marine Corps flying ace during World War II. He accrued seven victories in the war. He retired from military service in 1968 at the rank of colonel. He was the last living Marine Corps flying ace of World War II.

Early life Caswell was born on July 24, 1922, in Banning, California.

Military career In September 1942, Caswell enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Navy, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and on December 16, 1943, he received his Wings of Gold at NAS Pensacola.

World War II

In April 1944, after completing additional training, Caswell was assigned to VMF-221, which was equipped with the Vought F4U Corsair, at Santa Barbara, California, before being deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in the Pacific in January 1945. Caswell and his unit took part in aerial attacks against the Japanese mainland. On March 18, he scored his first aerial victories when he shot down three A6M Zeros, while attacking an airfield in Miyazaki Prefecture.

On April 12, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, Caswell scored his fourth aerial victory when he shot down a Zero over Kikaijima. His biggest day came on April 28 while on a combat air patrol 150 miles north of Okinawa, he shot down a Kawasaki Ki-61 and his flight was vectored to a formation of 25 Zeros that were headed toward Task Force 58 and Okinawa. In the ensuing battle, Caswell's flight was credited with destroying eight Zeros, he himself shooting down two of them with the probable destruction of another. For his heroism in the aerial battle, he was awarded the Silver Star and earned the title of flying ace. Caswell survived the attack, and he and other surviving airmen helped the firefighters in fighting the fire on the Bunker Hill.

During the war, Caswell was credited with the destruction of seven enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus one probable destruction. After returning to the United States, Caswell was assigned as an F4U pilot with VMF-451 at MCAS El Centro in California, from June 1945 until he left active duty in November 1945.

Caswell died at home on September 21, 2022, at age 100. He was buried at Cook Walden Forest Oaks Memorial Park in Austin.

Awards and decorations

Naval Aviator Badge Silver Star Distinguished Flying Crossw/ one " gold starAir Medalw/ four " gold starsNavy Presidential Unit CitationNavy Unit CommendationAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalw/ three " bronze starsWorld War II Victory MedalNavy Occupation Service Medalw/ 'Japan' claspNational Defense Service Medalw/ " bronze starKorean Service Medalw/ three " bronze starsRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationUnited Nations Korea MedalRepublic of Korea War Service Medal

Silver Star citation Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Dean Caswell, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Member of a six-plane flight of Fighter Planes in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in action against enemy Japanese forces while on combat air patrol in the vicinity of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 28 April 1945. When his flight intercepted a formation of approximately thirty Japanese fighters approaching Okinawa to launch an attack on shipping and land installations, Second Lieutenant Caswell skillfully pressed home his attack against the greatly superior force and succeeded in shooting down three enemy planes and probably destroying one other. By his aggressive fighting spirit and skilled airmanship, he contributed materially to the outstanding record of his flight in destroying one other and routing the remainder, thereby protecting our ships and land installations. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.