Artwork and research are by;
Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Marine Ace, Phillip DeLong WWII
12x18"
There are 350 limited edition prints in this series.
Limited Edition, Signed by the Ace. $75.00
Poster Print $18.00
Poster prints are not autographed or numbered.
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Phillip
C. DeLong
Marine
Corp Ace, VMF-212
Phillip
DeLong was born on July 9, 1919 in Jackson, Michigan and graduated from high
school there in 1937. He attended the University of Michigan and enrolled in the
NROTC program. He studied Aeronautical Engineering. Phil left college and
entered the Naval Aviation Cadet program. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in
Corpus Christi, Texas, and graduated from flight training on December 16, 1942.
Phillip was given his aviation wings and commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the
Marine Corps. He then attended advanced fighter training at NAS Miami. He became
carrier qualified at NAS Glenview, Illinois on the USS Wolverine.
He
was assigned to VMF-212 and sent to the Solomon Islands. After arriving on the
Solomons he was promoted to First Lieutenant. Phillip gained his first aerial
victories on January 9, 1944, with two confirmed Zero’s and damaging a third
over Kabanga Bay. It happened with a flight after lunch when Phillip and the
squadron's skipper pulled in behind five Zero's. He was flying wing on this
mission with the commanding officer of the squadron, Hugh Elwood. Elwood fired
first and knocked out the first enemy fighter. Phillip was able to hit and burn
another to make his first aerial victory. The flight broke up and Phillip pulled
in behind another Zero who was trying to sneak up on a Navy F6F Hellcat. Phillip
fired into the Japanese fighter, mortally damaging the aircraft and pilot. Just
eight days later on January 17th, Phillip claimed two more Zeros over Blanche
Bay.
During a morning escort mission on January 23rd, Phillip helped two fellow pilots shoot down two Zeros, giving him 1/3 victory for each enemy fighter. The flight of Corsairs had broken up during the midair duel when Phillip found himself alone with five Zeros on his tail. The Corsair was faster so he decided to out run his pursuers. The chase took them along the coast of New Britton. Phillip kept looking back watching the Zeros. He decided that, if the enemy fighters started to turn away, he would give chase to them. As Phillip expected, one by one, the Zeros broke away and headed back to their base.
Only
one Zero remained and, after a few more moments, it turned. Immediately Phillip
swung his Corsair around. Apparently the Zero’s pilot was expecting such a
move and turned back onto Phillip. Head on, both fighters bore down on each
other until they both fired. Phillip's six 50 caliber machine guns split the
Zero, turning it into a fireball with Phillip flying through the explosion.
Later
that afternoon, Phillip was on a fighter sweep when he and another squadron mate
shared in shooting down a Zero, giving them both 1/2 credit. These shared
victories gave Phillip 2 1/6 credits for the day. Before January was over,
Phillip scored two more times. Phillip was flying on the 29th when he shot down
another Zero. He added a Hamp fighter on the 31st.
Phillip’s
best day was February 15th. He was part of an umbrella of Marine Corsairs,
covering troops from New Zealand landing on Green Island. Disregarding heavy
anti-aircraft fire from the invasion fleet, He shot down three Val dive-bombers,
which were attacking the allied invasion.
Phillip DeLong was the "Top Gun" of VMF-212, credited with 11.166 aerial victories, one probable and two damaged. He flew a total of 69 combat missions. During the Bougainville Campaign, he was promoted to Captain.
During
his service Phillip DeLong earned the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, along with
the Distinguished Flying Cross with 6 Gold Stars. He also received the Air Medal
with 16 Gold Stars and the Navy Commendation Medal. Phillip's total aerial
victories were 11.166 victories in the Pacific during WW II, flying a total of
69 combat missions. He also scored 2 in the Korean War where he flew 127 combat
missions. Phillip DeLong is the 13th highest scoring Marine Ace.
DeLong and his F4U in the Soloman Islands.
Notice the "Red" around the "Star and Bar".
Did I say "OUCH!"
This is a photo the F4U Corsair that I painted above. No Corsair was assigned to any one pilot. Each aircraft was flown as the aircraft was available. One day Phil would fly one Corsair and then when he had a day off another pilot would use the F4U. This Corsair #777 was the one that Phil was flying at this time however another pilot flew #777 and had an accident on December 14, 1943 at Bougainville. Phillip flew this Corsair on four missions before its demise. Phillip was a 1st Lieutenant at this time. The aircraft flipped over and tore off the entire tail and rudder. Phillip never had an accident flying the Corsair from WWII through Korea.
Everyone wants to know what the white strips are on the fuselage in front of the canopy. This is tape that had to be applied to seal the fuel tank access panel to keep gasoline fumes from entering the cockpit. In later models of the Corsair this problem was corrected. Also note the "red outline" around the star and bar.
Sadly Phillip passed away in July, 2006. I will miss him.
Phil Delong and the Artist
Phil signed 350 of this print.
Original paintings of Phillip's F4U autographed by the ace are available.
Painting size is 24x48" $2,800.00.
This does not include shipping.
All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.
No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.
Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.
I do not mind sharing, just call or e-mail and ask for permission.
Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette
1-904-406-5791
Posted 2-9-07