During World War II, countless men and women served unselfishly to preserve freedom and a democratic way of life. From a small Montana homestead came one of these true heroes.
Born in 1914 under the clouds of the Great War (now called World War I), Stanley “Swede” Vejtasa was born in eastern Montana where his family was operating a small farm. While the homestead site and local post office (Paris, Montana) disappeared long gone, certain memories will always remain.
Following graduation from Circle High School (McCone County in Montana), Vejtasa attended classes at both Montana State College (later renamed Montana State University) and the University of Montana.
In 1937, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy with the intention of becoming an aviator. In 1939, he earned his wings at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. His first carrier assignment was with the USS Yorktown. In 1942, he was assigned to the USS Enterprise.
Vejtasa’s heroic duty as a carrier pilot earned him three Navy Crosses. He was the only American naval aviator to be awarded medals for both dive bombing and aerial combat.
On May 7, 1942, Ensign Vejtasa earned his second Navy Cross at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Flying a SBD Dauntless dive bomber from the USS Yorktown, he successfully attacked and aided in the sinking of a Japanese aircraft carrier.
On October 6, 1942, Lieutenant Vejtasa earned his final Navy Cross while flying from the USS Enterprise as a fighter pilot. In the Battle of Santa Cruz, he and other pilots provided air cover for the carriers Hornet and Enterprise. Facing intense dogfights with Japanese fighter planes, he remained cool under fire. With courage and precision, the lieutenant shot down seven enemy aircraft.
Captain Vejtasa remained a career officer in the U.S. Navy, and he continued to serve his country until his retirement in 1970.
The following video captured memories of combat as shared by Stanley “Swede” Vejtasa. He described his experiences from the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Big Sky Buckeye 
Heroes need to be remembered. I guess I did not realize how long the USS Enterprise had been in service. My husband was stationed on it at one time when he was in the USN.
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Vickie, thank you for reading. There have been several naval ships called Enterprise. This post refers to World War II’s version, the first carrier called Enterprise. Your husband served on the first nuclear-powered carrier, also called Enterprise (nicknamed the “Big E). Gratitude and thanks to your husband as well as his navy wife.
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You are correct. I had no idea they named ships the same.
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So cool. Thank you for sharing!
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Stu, thanks for reading. I had the pleasure to teach for the 22 years in the same community that is home to Vejtasa’s high school.
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My pleasure. I love reading up on history😊 I sure hope that he was considered a local hero and mentioned often in classes.
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heroes can come from anywhere; what a wonderful story…
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Jim, I appreciate your thoughts. I had the pleasure to teach for 22 years in the community where Stanley Vejtasa attended high school.
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did he still have family in the area?
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Jim, thanks for asking. I am away of a nephew and his wife who live in the same small town where I taught (Circle, Montana).
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nice that there is still that family connection with the town
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Thank you Captain Vejtasa, for your service and sacrifice. What a hero! Thank you, Richard for sharing!
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Karla, thanks for reading and sharing. I had the pleasure to teach in the community where Stanley Vejtasa attended high school.
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Oh, how wonderful! You are very welcome.
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A true hero, valiant in battle.
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Indeed! Stanley Vejtasa is a true and humble hero. I was blessed to teach for 22 years where he went to high school.
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What a hero…and a humble one
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Jim, I appreciate your words about Vejtasa’s humbleness. The video shows him in a very positive light. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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YW BSB!
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Reblogged this on The Mimosa Blossom.
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Michelle, I appreciate you sharing this post with your readers. I had the pleasure to teach for many years in the same community where Captain Vejtasa went to high school.
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Thank you for sharing this story! It’s always nice to get a look at someone’s journey.
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Dawn, thank you for reading and sharing. I intend to add the journey of my maternal grandparents.
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Ok. That will be nice to read. 😊
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