Warbirds, the Whale, and a Life Well Lived

Fighter Pilot Podcast

E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot

History, Personal Journals, Technology, Society & Culture, Government, Leisure, Aviation

4.9 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 8 December 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We’re opening the vault for another Happy Hour—this one from 2021 with retired U.S. Navy Captain Matthew “Tom” Maxwell.

Tom flew numerous World War II– and Korean War–era aircraft from carriers around the world before eventually finding his way into his favorite platform: the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior. In the “Whale,” he famously saved a fuel-starved F-8 by breaking the rules and refueling the Crusader over North Vietnam, getting the pilot safely back “feet wet.”

He was also aboard USS Oriskany during the devastating October 1966 fire that claimed the lives of 44 sailors. Tom captured these stories and many others in his memoir Grandfather’s Journal: A Grandson’s Journey into His Grandfather’s Life, a short and delightful read naval aviation aficionados will enjoy.

Sadly, Tom passed away a year after this Happy Hour originally aired and now rests at Arlington National Cemetery.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Transcript

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0:00.0	So we've probably been here 10 minutes and we're monitoring guard chand.
0:05.0	Red Crown came up and we heard Red Crown and then we heard Dick Schaffer.
0:09.0	Ellard made it in.
0:10.0	I looked at my two crewmen and I knew I had two guys responsible so we weren't supposed to fly over the beach.
0:16.0	And without saying a word to them, they gave me a thumbs up.
0:20.0	Sam, watch working in all right,
0:21.6	go.
0:22.9	Back one, back one.
0:25.9	Another Samblone.
0:27.4	Another Samblion.
0:28.2	Same location.
0:29.1	Roger that.
0:30.3	Wait, somebody got to hit on the roll, 500,000.
0:33.4	Get out of here.
0:34.2	Jack, that's up in the tournament.
0:35.9	Are you boys.
0:39.8	Hey, boys. Hey, everyone.
0:40.9	Vincent ILO calls on Jello here, welcoming you to another episode of the fighter pilot podcast,
0:46.8	the internet show that explores the fascinating world of air combat,
0:50.3	the aircraft, the weapon systems, and, of course, as we always like to say, most importantly,
0:55.0	the people. You know, we had such a meaningful time closing out last month's tribute to the
0:59.5	Marine Corps's 250th birthday with Lieutenant General Kerry that I decided to pull another
	...

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