One of the last living WWII Marine fighter pilots
World War II veteran Sam Folsom flew the Grumman F4F Wildcat during his time of service in Guadalcanal in late 1942. His squadron, Marine Fighter Squadron 121, was the highest scoring Marine fighter squadron of WWII and received the presidential unit citation. During Folsom’s time with VMF-121, he shot down three total enemy aircrafts and received the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. (Courtesy Photo)Fireman Heriberto Hernandez, who was killed in action, posthumously received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals, and is the namesake for one of the service’s Fast Response Cutters. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
