Vaea served as a pilot in the Air Force from 1942 until 1945 piloting PBY Catalina reconnaissance flying boats .
He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force following his graduation from high school and the outbreak of World War II .
Vaea served as a pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force   from 1942 until 1945 piloting PBY Catalina reconnaissance flying boats .
He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force following his graduation from high school and the outbreak of World War II .