Our volunteers are key in helping bring the ships and aircraft of Patriots Point to life. Our first volunteer profile is on former World War 2, Marine Corps Dauntless and Corsair pilot Bill Cart. Born and raised in Charleston, he attended the Citadel from 1940-42, when he was accepted into the Navy V-7 program for pilot training. Bill's route to the Pacific war was via training at University of Georgia preflight school to St. Louis, Missouri, to Pensacola, Florida, to El Toro, California. He has carrier landings on the USS Saginaw Bay (CVE-82). Bill saw combat suppressing Japanese garrisons at Jaluit, Maloelap, Mille and Wotje in the Marshall Islands while flying out of Majuro.
He returned to Charleston after the war and flew as a private pilot with his own aircraft (Cessna 140 and 170) for many years. Bill is one of our few naval aviators onboard the Yorktown and his knowledge of aircraft and combat experience are a great asset to the museum. He helps to make the visitors' trip to Patriots Point one they won’t forget. Also, Bill has been very effective in our 5th grade program for Charleston County Schools teaching them about our World War II history. One of his memorable moments was during a program with the 5th graders, out of the blue one of the students asked him, “Who won?” With volunteers like Bill aboard, Americans will know why we won!