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Sam Folsom, Cactus Air Force Pilot - 100 Years Old Today!


patrick_usmc
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patrick_usmc

Today is Sam Folsom's 100th birthday!

 

He's believed to be the last Cactus Air Force pilot, having flown F4F's on Guadalcanal with VMF-121. He also commanded VMF(N)-531 on Okinawa, served as a test pilot after the war, and flew Corsairs in Korea. He got out of the Marine Corps in the 1960s.

 

I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Mr. Folsom last year. He's quite a character, and a witness to so much history.

The interview i'm posting here isn't mine, but this one goes into more detail than mine did. It's fascinating to listen to. 

 

Also attached are some photos of Mr. Folsom on Guadalcanal. 

 

https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp-stories/loc.natlib.afc2001001.79380/

 

Happy birthday to Sam Folsom!

  

 

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patrick_usmc

Photo 1: Sam Folsom next to his plane after being caught alone following the Hiei strike. 

 

Photo 2: Folsom (far left) and others on Guadalcanal

 

Photo 3: Folsom with his F4F in American Samoa, after Guadalcanal

 

Photo 4: Folsom in Korea with his Corsair

Folsom Article Photo 1.jpg

Folsom Article Photo 12.jpg

Folsom Article Photo 9.jpg

Folsom Article Photo 14.jpg

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