Ens. Marble Earl Cox
Marble Cox, aviation cadet, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl D. [Ira and Myrta Neal (Marble] Cox of this city, is now in training at Lambert Field near St. Louis, where he is making a fine record.
Source: The Leon-Journal Reporter, Thursday, July 8, 1943 (photo included)
Ensign Marble E. Cox received his wings and commission at Pensacola, Florida November 27. After a four-day leave he was sent to Melboune, Florida, to receive training as a fighter pilot, flying the latest navy fighter plane, the 2000 horse power Gunner Hellcat. His training there will be completed February 12 when he has been promised a leave and hopes to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl D. Cox in Leon for the first time since he entered the service last February 15.
Ensign Cox took the P. A. at Iowa City, then pre-flight school at Iowa City for three months. He was then sent to Lambert Field, Saint Louis, for three months secondary training, then to Pensacola for three months advanced training where he received his wings.
After his leave home he will be sent to San Diego for squadron carrier training and then sent to a replacement pool where he will be assigned to a carrier with the Pacific fleet.
The Grumman Heilcat, latest navy fighter, was introduced to the Japs during the Marcus raid. The F6F possesses exceptional maneuver ability.
Source: The Leon Journal-Reporter, January 1, 1944
NOTE: Ensign Marble Earl Cox, died February 8, 1944, when his Navy Hellcat fighter plane crashed. Ensign Cox was conducting pilot training at the Naval Air Station, Melbourne, Florida. He was interred at Leon Cemetery, Leon Iowa.
Source: Decatur County Women's Auxilary WWII Scrapbook; Submission by Decatur County Historical Museum, Leon IA, Sara Rose Joan LeFleur, June of 2016
