Marion E. Carl
U.S. Marine Corps Pilot and Ace

Background
Marion Eugene Carl was born November 1, 1915 in Hubbard, Oregon. He attended Oregon State Collegeand studied aeronautical engineering and while at college learned to fly and soloed after only 2.5 hours of instruction instead of the average of 8-10 hours. In 1938 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve but later resigned the next year to enlist in the Marines.

Wartime History
In December 1939 enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) as an aviation cadet at NAS Pensacola and earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. His first assignment was to Marine Fighting Squadron 1 (VMF-1) at Quantico, Virginia. A year later, he was assigned to NAS Pensacola as a pilot instructor. Next, assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221) based at NAS North Island near San Diego.

Postwar
During November 1946, Carl was involved jet take offs and landings tests aboard aircraft carrier aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) piloting a Lockheed P-80A Shootingstar and successfully made two catapult launches, four unassisted take offs and five arrested landings.

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