Phillip C. DeLong

Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (July 9, 1919 – July 1, 2006) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps officer. He was a flying ace credited with shooting down over 11 enemy aircraft during World War II and two more during the Korean War.

Early life and World War II Phillip C. DeLong was born on July 9, 1919, in Jackson, Michigan. DeLong joined the Marine Corps on March 26, 1942. In December, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and earned his flying wings. By August 1943, DeLong was assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) in the Solomon Islands. By late-October, VMF-212 was based at Barakoma Airfield. About one month later, the squadron moved to Torokina Airfield.

In the Solomon Islands, First Lieutenant DeLong flew the F4U Corsair and participated in bomber escort missions at Rabaul and Bougainville, where he shot down enemy planes which were attempting to down friendly bombers. These missions inflicted a great amount of damage on Japanese held airfields, shorelines, and ships. He also volunteered for strafing missions against heavily defended Japanese positions.

On February 15, 1944, Lieutenant DeLong was on an aerial patrol providing overwatch for friendly troops landing on Green Island. When Japanese bombers were located approaching friendly ships, DeLong unhesitatingly flew through American anti-aircraft fire to engage the enemy planes. DeLong personally shot down three enemy planes and helped prevent the bombers from inflicting damage on our ships. He was awarded a total of four Distinguished Flying Crosses.

These were the first Marine aerial victories during the war, and DeLong is believed to be the only pilot to shoot down enemy planes in two different wars with the same type of aircraft.

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