Lt Stewart likely joined VT-1 at Alameda or San Diego and shipped out to Hawaii with them in August 1943. He was aboard the USS Yorktown from June to August 1944 while they were engaged in combat operations near Guam and the Bonin Islands (Chichi Jima and Iwo Jima).

The San Francisco Examiner Sep 9th 1944

Lt Stewart was a Ground Officer with VT-1. He likely wasn't a pilot (although he did have wings) and the nature of his ground duties with the squadron isn't known (Administrative Officer?). The Ground Officers were generally older than the pilots. Lt Stewart was 38 years old in 1944 and nearly five years older than the Commanding Officer Lcdr Henry.

The uniform in the photo below belonged to Dick Stewart (presumably Richard R. Stewart). It shows his Navy wings, ribbons, and that he achieved the rank of Commander. The one ribbon on top is probably a Navy Commendation Ribbon awarded for his service with VT-1. He probably stayed in the Navy Reserves until sometime after 1951.

Dick Stewart's Uniform

Dick Stewart's "cover"

Navy wings (Naval Aviator) and ribbons

Richard Stewart (1906)