Jack Wardell Petit

First Lieutenant Jack W. Petit was a Marine Corps fighter pilot who flew with VMF-215.
He was lost in a storm over Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands on 20 October 1943.

Branch

Marine Corps Reserve Service Number O-14413

Current Status

Remains Not Recovered

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

March 4, 1921
at Canton, OH

Parents

Comillion Winfield Petit (d. 1944)
Hattie (Wardell) Petit

Education

McKinley High School (1939)
Kent State University (ex-1943)

Occupation & Employer

College student

Service Life

Entered Service

October 8, 1941 (enlisted)
October 6, 1942 (officer)

Home Of Record

2423 11th Street
Canton, OH

Next Of Kin

Mother, Mrs. Hattie Petit

Military Specialty

Pilot

Primary Unit

VMF-215

Campaigns Served

Solomon Islands (VMF-214, three tours)
Northern Solomons (VMF-215)

Individual Decorations

Air Medal (3 Awards)
Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Petit was credited with three confirmed kills, plus one probable.

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

In January 1943, shortly after completing his pilot training in Jacksonville, Florida, Lieutenant Petit was assigned to VMF-214 and deployed overseas to the Solomon Islands. During his three tours with “the Swashbucklers,” Petit was credited with three Japanese aircraft shot down, plus one probable, and earned a trio of Air Medals which would later be awarded to his family.

In early October 1943, VMF-214 was split up, with most pilots transferring to VMF-221 or VMF-215. Petit was among those sent to -215, the “Fighting Corsairs,” at Espiritu Santo, and ferried a fighter to their new base at Vella Lavella on 19 October 1943.

The very next day, patrols were flown over the new base to scout for enemy activity and familiarize the pilots with the lay of the land. The four-plane division that included Jack Petit departed for the midday patrol at 1245. Only three planes returned at 1405. They had passed through some “very thick weather” on the flight, and Petit’s Corsair (F4U-1 50011) had disappeared without a call for help.

Searches in the area proved negative, and Jack Wardell Petit was declared dead on 21 October 1944. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of captain.