#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Eugene George Fairfax - VAntage Point

Completing his training within a year, Fairfax was designated as a naval aviator and eventually reported as a senior aviator aboard USS Tennessee. A distinguished aviator, his time aboard Tennessee saw his promotion to the executive officer of Squadron Eleven by 1943, assuming command of the squadron. He served in the Pacific Theater of World War II during this time and became a decorated pilot, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars and an Air Medal. Fairfax’s service took him to numerous locations, including Okinawa and the Philippines. After detaching from Fighter Squadron Eleven, he joined Fighter Squadron Ninety-Eight, where he trained replacement fighter pilots for service aboard carriers in the Pacific.
After the war, Fairfax detached from Fighting Squadrons altogether in 1946 and served as an aviation analyst until 1948. During these post-war years, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and served at home and abroad in several positions. Notably, he headed the Air Programs Branch between 1957 and 1960. He rose to the rank of rear admiral in August 1966. During his service in Vietnam, he became commander of Antisubmarine Warfare Group Five.