Alexander Vraciu

As a Navy veteran I just wanted to pay my respects to a true American hero! RIP sir, we have the watch

I have been in contact with Alex Vraciu since the Gulf War years, for a longtime, while I was trying to collect information from, and about Alex - the Navy Ace of Romanian descent. We enjoyed very much to communicate, and Alex has send me many pieces of information to put in the future book to celebrate him. I did my best to spread the word about Alexander Vraciu to Romanian people, and I'll further do that for the next years. We pay immense respects to Alexander Vraciu and work to keep his memories around here.

I am a Filipino and I want to salute and thank you Sir for your geat service in the Philippines during WWII. Rest in Peace Commander.

I served under CDR Vraicu in VF51 and was one of the 30 team members when he won the 1957 Naval Air Weapons Meet at El Centro. I had 5 years in the Navy then and was AT1 and I went on to serve 30 years and can't say I met a man I admired more than the CDR. We deployed on the USS Bon Homme Richard together in 1957 and I have posted overhear that I have been on Facebook a tribute to him on Veterans day as I plan to do this PM. He issued me a commendation letter commenting we were a "jack of all trade" and when he presented it I told him in an aside "and master of none". He didn't respond but he did grin a little as he turned away. God Bless him and his remaining family....he was truly a great man and I have a chapter on him and VF51 in my memory book (not published) .

Dear Anyone Who May Assist,

Years ago, reading the Fall issue (1972) of the JOURNAL (the American Aviation Historical Society magazine) I have heard for the first time about Alex Vraciu. I myself beeing a Romanian citizen, his family name sounded like a quite Romanian one. Then I started to find out who Alex Vraciu is. Since then I continued to collect information, piece by piece. Thanks to US Navy I had a rare chance to exchange letters with Alex a full 1991 year. I proposed myself to make him known to people of Romania etc. I did some good job.
Now Alex had to leave us. I was abandoned around here without a power to show my huge regrets. What I perhaps can do now is finish and publish my project - a book about him. YOUR ASSISTANCE MAY BE QUITE IMPORTANT. Help me to have the most complete book about Alex Vraciu.

Please be informed that I am a retired Romanian airline pilot...
I do my best to collect as much information as available so as to publish a detailed (in Romanian language) book about the well known aviator (of Romanian descent) Alex(ander) Vraciu. I would very much appreciate any piece of information which you or anyone else will accept to send to me, with regards to his story, about his life, activities and achievements etc. Your direct involvement in assisting me or of anyone else ready to complete the pieces of information I already have about his story, about his life, activities and achievements during his 96 years of model life etc. will be really appreciated.
It would be of interest the year he was admitted to school, his activities during the school classes /years and so on.

Yours sincerely,

Captain DORU VARLAN
Contact addresses:
Surface mail: Str.1 decembrie No.260A, Satul Pleeti, Comuna BERCA, Judeul Buzău, 127043 ROMANIA
Mobile Phone: +40-744-542944
Email: [email protected] , [email protected]
Website: www.aviatadeaviatorasacumafost.blogspot.com

my sincere condolences to the family! America has one less hero now, but heaven has another brave soul! Rest in peace, true American

I had the honor and privilege of meeting him on several occasions. I visited him often at his home in Danville, on Marilee Place towards the later part of his life. One night, My father and I took him out to dinner around 1999 or so. On that night, my father, a Vietnam Veteran and about 10 years younger then him, looked like a kid in a candy store. I never saw my father look up to somebody the way he did that night. A true American hero is gone and he will be missed.

Brad Harms

As a 2nd generation Romanian-American and son of a WW II Purple Heart veteran, I have long been fascinated by Cdr. Vraciu's amazing aerial accomplishments. I was saddened to learn of his passing. He will always be remembered as a true American hero and a fine representative of the immigrant spirit that pervaded the Greatest Generation. As we Romanians say, "May his memory be eternal!"

Dear Alex,
Your last flight is your best as you will share the sky with your beloved wife. Thank you for inspiring our grandson's and so many others . We will never forget you. Gene & Jean

Sorry to learn of Commander Vraciu's passing. Many years have passed, since I served under him in VF-51. I was simply a white hat, but had great respect for him. Taps for you Commander. Ivin Munson

As a high school teacher of US History for about twenty years, I have shown the 1995 CBS Reports program Victory in the Pacific each year as I believe it is still one of the best short documentaries on the Pacific war. Commander Vraciu features prominently in the program so it was with great sorrow that I learned of his passing. Please accept my deepest condolences and know my gratitude to Commander Vraciu for sharing his story so that future generations have a record of the lives of the great men and women of World War II.

Please accept my most sincere and heartfelt condolences at your loss. Your sorrow may be reduced somewhat by the knowledge that many generations of aircraft carrier combat fighter pilots sought to emulate Commander Vraciu's dash, daring and expertize, as his memory lingers among Naval Aviators into the indefinite future. May he rest in peace.

As a U.S. Naval Officer, I feel deeply indebted to Commander Vraciu and humbled by the true acts of heroism by such an ordinary citizen. It is rare for us today to measure up to this level of accomplishment and selflessness when so much was at stake for our nation. As a Naval Aviator I unquestionably share the spirit of flight and patriotism his legacy has instilled upon many of us who have walked through the doors of the cradle Naval Aviation. My deepest thanks and respects.

I was lucky enough to have two Uncles named Al. One on my Dad's side of my family and one on my Mom's side. They are both gone now and miss them both. They are both my Hero's in so many different ways. God Speed.

Dad, it warms my heart to read all of the nice comments written about you. You truly are a WWII Hero, our Hero. RIP with Mom up in heaven. Give her a hug and kiss for us. Love, Linda

On behalf of the family of Sy Mendenhall, one of Alex's VF-6 squadron mates, we offer our sincere condolences to the Vraciu family. Dad thought the world of Alex.

Our condolences to Al's family. Charlene and Sandra join us in sending our beast wishes

We owe so much to Uncle Alex and the freedom he fought so hard to give us! He was an amazing man and seeing him with Pop and Uncle Chuckie dancing was always so cool. When Joey was in the 5th grade he needed to interview someone who had fought in the war. We immediately called Uncle Alex. He stayed on the phone with Joey for over an hour answering every question with precision. He was a great man and we will miss him!

Great admiration for a true American hero,
He is flying high now, with all of his comrades, gratitude for your amazing life a model for young generations,
Mike Dobrin from Canada,originally from Sibiu County Romania,the place where his parents emigrated from.

As a life long military history buff, Alex is right up there with my air heros. RIP Alex/what a remarkable life.

Wish Evryone had a Grandpa like that. God bless You Cdr. Vraciu.

Alex was my first cousin. Though he was the nation's hero, he will always be my hero. My sympathies to his family.

On behalf of the American Fighter Aces Association I send my condolences to the family. When Alex was President of the AFAA he made me his "East of the Mississippi contact". He was as fine a gentleman as I have ever met.
Historian, American Fighter Aces Association.

I didn't personally meet Alex, but through my brother Doug, sent me the last print of "American Fighter Aces". What a generous thing to do for a friend of a friend. Alex was a great and brave hero of the greatest generation. My deepest sympathy for his family. May God bless you all. Greg Clanin, Jackson Tennessee.

What an incredible life Grandpa! Give grandma a hug from us all.

My deepest sympathy to Alex's Family. Alex was one of a kind, an American Fighter Ace we can never forget. I thank him for his service to our country!

Webmaster, American Fighter Aces.

A gentleman on the ground, a tiger in the air, he erased 40 aircraft from the Japanese rolls, 19 in aerial combat. The USA is fortunate to have had the services of this incredible man. On behalf of the American Fighter Aces Association, God Speed, Alex.

Alex was a lifeline for more than 40 years, and I treasure my relationship with his family. God bless.

"Alex was a true American hero. It was an honor to share his story with people across the country. His exploits and bravery will live on for a very long time."

A family friend informed me of the passing of Alex Vraciu, an outstanding naval aviator. I had the distinct honor and privilege to be able to interview him for the historical record in his Danville, CA, home on June 14 and 15, 1990. At that time, Alex told me he was uncomfortable talking about himself. During my interview, he made a point to mention and describe the heroics of many of his fellow aviators who died during WW II. Now Alex, you have joined your comrades. God speed to you all.

Mr. Vraciu and I corresponded by mail several times, with him signing several WWII photos for me for a framing display in my home. He was a fine man and I thank him for his service in the military. Best regards to his family.

Alan Kendrick
Nashville, Tennesee

It has never been my pleasure to meet Alex, but as an avid student of WWII I have read about his exploits and admire him greatly. When I pass Harrison Hall on the campus of DePauw University, I will be reminded of him. I wish I could have met Alex Vraciu.

All those Romanians in Heaven are celebrating! Not to mention "your favorite wing-man"...We will miss you, Uncle Alex.

SOAR DAD...mom awaits

Soar Dad...mom has even waiting for you. Daughter Carol

Twenty-two years ago I met Alex Vraciu and we exchanged correspondence as he helped me with a bit of research. This was unrelated to his personal exploits, of which he was so reticent I had to research those details on my own. I still have his letters. He was a rare combination: heroic, generous, modest and kind. Fly on Alex...

RIP Alex, I will always remember meeting you a Tailhook a few years ago. You became one of my heroes, and always had time to talk War stories. Fair Winds and Following Sea's. Another Hero has departed this Earth,

CDR Vraciu - It was a true privilege and an honor for many Americans every time you visited the USS Hornet Museum and shared your great memories and daring exploits with us.

Fair winds and following seas, my friend...

RIP Mr. Vraciu. You are a great American.

I am thankful there were men like Commander Vraciu to stand against the encroaching dark age. Fair skies and tailwinds.

Commander Vraciu has been one of my heros all my life, since I started studying WWII. I thank him for his service, and I am sorry for the loss to his family.

An amazing and heroic man. The world was better with him and now a bit darker and colder without him. May his family and friends find some solace in how many regret never having the privilege of personally meeting him in this life.

Thank you Alex

I'm saddened to see Mr. Vraciu head off to his reward. I never met him, but I knew of him even as a child (I'm 62). Great American, great Navy ace. My deep condolences to his family. While you mourn his passing, just remember that from where he is now, he's got your sixes covered....