Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

 Print Size: 11" x 14" ~ Unlimited print edition

Cmdr. William E. Henry

VF (N)-79/VF (N)-41 • USN (10.00)

Cmdr. William E. Henry one of the few night fighter aces had 6½ night kills and 3½ day. On October 1944 Cmdr. Henry was catapulted from U.S.S. Independence CVL at 0245 in the morning off the coast of Formosa his call sign was “Cupid 13”. He spotted Japanese “Emily” at about 700 ft. altitude, he came in from behind and shot the left inboard engine and set it on fire, he pulled away to the left and the “Emily” turned left in front of Cmdr. Henry, he fired again and the turret gunner from the “Emily” fired back. The “Emily” rolled right and splashed into the ocean. The crew of the Independence witnessed the victory. This was one of three “Emily’s” that Cmdr. Henry shot down at night. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his victories in WWII.