Staff Sergeant Floyd P. Stocks, USMC, was a member of VMF-214 from 3
September 1948 until February 1951.
Assignment: Plane Captain.
Aircraft assigned- F4U Corsair WE-18.
"Plane Captain" is a job title given to a Marine assigned to care for
an aircraft. All fighter squadrons were about the same in assignments
and position titles. Some variation could occur due to individual
preferences. In this account I will use assignments, titles, duties,
etc. as they were applied in VMF-214.
The Plane Captain is responsible for his aircraft at all times when
he is on duty. When aboard a carrier he is responsible for his
aircraft 24 hours a day. Any time a plane is moved on a carrier the
plane captain must be in the cockpit on the brakes. When an aircraft
is in commission (cleared for flight) the plane captain prepares it
for flight and stands by to assist the pilot. When an aircraft has a
discrepancy the problem is reported and the necessary work is done to
correct it. The plane captain does much of the work himself and
assists technicians and others who work on the aircraft.
This account is my tribute to the Marines of the First Marine Provisional Brigade (reinf) and the First Marine Division, the Marine pilots who flew close air support for them, and to those Marines who served supporting those pilots. I feel great honor that I served among them.
Sergeant Major Floyd P. Stocks, 324856
United States Marine Corps (Retired)
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