From the Collections
The Yorktown’s Ace: The Legacy of Smokey Stover
Elisha Terrill “Smokey” Stover was a World War II flying ace in the Yorktown’s “Fighting 5” Hellcat squadron. After successful missions Midway and Guadalcanal, he was sent by the US Navy to appear on radio shows to raise bonds for the war effort. But Smokey knew where he was most valuable, and begged to return to flying status. He was assigned to “The Fighting Lady” where he was featured in a prominent role in the Academy Award winning film.
Stover was reported missing in action after a strike on Truk in February 1944. It was later learned that seven downed aviators came ashore after a bail out. The aviators were beaten, tortured, and beheaded by the Japanese.
In a letter to his parents, Smokey Stover wrote, “With all my heart I hope that you never read this for the reason it was written but if you do, remember, the Great Adventure is still ahead. With all my love – your son and brother, Elisha Terrill Stover.”
The USS Yorktown shares the poignant collection given by the Stover family of their lost son and brother.
Stover was reported missing in action after a strike on Truk in February 1944. It was later learned that seven downed aviators came ashore after a bail out. The aviators were beaten, tortured, and beheaded by the Japanese.
In a letter to his parents, Smokey Stover wrote, “With all my heart I hope that you never read this for the reason it was written but if you do, remember, the Great Adventure is still ahead. With all my love – your son and brother, Elisha Terrill Stover.”
The USS Yorktown shares the poignant collection given by the Stover family of their lost son and brother.
