NOTAM 02-2013 (Vejtasa)

Golden Eagle Emeritus

CAPT Stanley “Swede” Vejtasa, USN (Ret)

Dear Golden Eagles,

It is my sad duty to report that CAPT Swede Vejtasa, USN, (Ret), 98, made his last take-off on 23 January 2013. He is survived by his children Gene, Dan, and Susan, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His wife, Irene, predeceased him in September 2004. At his request no memorial service will be conducted and his ashes will be scattered at sea.

CAPT Vejtasa was born in Paris, Montana in 1914 and attended Montana State College and the University of Montana. He joined the Navy in 1937 and entered flight training on 1 June 1938 receiving his wings of gold on 14 August 1939. He reported immediately to VS-5 embarked on the USS Yorktown (CV-5) flying the biplane SBC-3 Helldiver and was involved in peacetime operations in the Atlantic and the Pacific. While his squadron was transitioning to the SBD Dauntless the war against Japan began and he was immediately immersed in combat operations against the enemy. While embarked on USS Yorktown he participated in the Makin Island Raid, the Lae and Salamaua Raid, and the Guadacanal-Tulagi Raid. While conducting strikes near New Guinea he received his first Navy Cross for the destruction of three enemy vessels.  At the Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-10 May 1942 while flying anti-VT patrol, he downed three enemy aircraft for which he received his second Navy Cross. His skill as a fighter pilot thus became evident to all, and after the battle he was transferred to VF-10 and along with survivors of the USS Lexington air group (USS Lexington was lost at Coral Sea) joined the USS Enterprise air group.  At the Battle of Santa Cruz Island, 25-26 October 1942, he became a “Double Ace” and was awarded his third Navy Cross when on a single mission flying the F4F he downed two Japanese Val bombers and five Japanese torpedo planes.  After those victories and “winchester” for ammo, he watched helplessly as Japanese dive bombers struck the USS Enterprise with two of their bombs.  He remained engaged in combat operations in the South Pacific with VF-10 until April 1943 when he was ordered to return to the US to take command of VF-97 at NAS Atlantic City, where he later commanded CAG-44.  

At war’s end CAPT Vejtasa was the only Naval Aviator to be awarded the Navy Cross for mission successes while flying both dive bombers and fighters.

Following the war he served in a variety of staff and operational assignments including command of the following units: VF-10A/ VF-92 embarked on USS Philippine Sea, November 1947-January 1949; NAS Mojave/ NLO, Edwards AFB, February 1949-January 1951; CO, NAF China Lake, April 1953-April 1955; USS Firedrake (AE-14), March 1959-August 1960; USS Constellation ( CVA-64), October 1962-November 1963; and COMFAIR Miramar, August 1965 to September 1968.

He retired from active duty in July 1970. In addition to his three Navy Crosses his other awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Following retirement he settled in Escondido, CA where in addition to being the Secretary, Rey River Ranch Corporation for 25 years, he, as his grandson said “lived his life”. Yet another member of the “Greatest Generation”, a “Double Ace” and one of our most highly decorated Naval Aviators has made his last take-off.

In sadness,

Fred Lewis-Pilot