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P47 Pilots Guestbook
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Welcome to the P47 Pilots Guestbook.
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P-47 pilots' photos (msg id: 2362)
I'm looking for any photos of Lt.Troy L.Dean of 378th FS, 362nd FG and 2Lt Bernard J.Smith of 493rd FS, 48th FG.
m.p.sikora1722@googlemail.com
Posted By: Peter Sikora
(m.p.sikora1722@googlemail.com)
on 09/24/2011 5:25:20 AM EST
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Pilots Schallehan & Massey 405th FG (msg id: 2361)
Perhaps coincidental but Lt. Leonard Schallehan and Capt. Paul Massey both flew in the 405th FG, 509th FS. Very nice tribute to this group at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3gTi5F-sA4
Posted By: PastPilots
on 09/13/2011 2:48:41 PM EST
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My brother ,Leonard Schallehn flew the P47 during ww2 (msg id: 2360)
Len was shot down over France 11 days after D day and lived with the french underground for 64 days until Patten's army took over the town of Domfront Len passed away at the age of 84 If any of his group are still around ,I would like to hear from them Thanks,and god bless. bobschallehn@nycap.rr.com
Posted By: Bob Schallehn
(bobschallehn@nycap.rr.com)
on 09/12/2011 10:08:58 PM EST
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are any of my comrades still alive? (msg id: 2359)
I was the communications offficer for the 410th fighter squadron, 373 fighter group during WW2. I recall so many of the pilots and ground officers. I was in the air echelon of the group during the invasion.
Posted By: Robert Schick
(r24s@aol.comm)
on 09/12/2011 4:09:47 PM EST
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Capt. Paul H. Massey (msg id: 2358)
I am interested in learning anything I can about Capt. Paul H. Massey, 509th sqd, 405th FG, 9th AF. His war record and career as a pilot especially. I believe he was later shot down or bailed out.
I believe he was a varsity athlete at Penn State before the war and was a ski and tennis champion.
Posted By: Doug Collar
on 09/09/2011 2:36:02 PM EST
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Richard Johnson (msg id: 2357)
In his retirement, Dick was one of our instrument flight instructors for many years. He was one of the finest gentleman I've ever known in aviation. A wonderful teacher as well. He had a great attitude about life. His flight students were very very lucky to have him and so were we!
Posted By: Tom Seymour, Professional Instrument Courses
(tom.seymour@iflyifr.com)
on 09/07/2011 4:08:47 PM EST
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1st Lt. Lawrence P. Marsch (msg id: 2356)
My father-in-law is Lawrence P. Marsch. He is currently in Caledonia, Wisconsin. He married in 1945 to Grace Marsch, and they had 13 kids. He was a 1st Lt. in WWII and was a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot with the 368th Fighter Group, the 395th Sqaudron "Panzer Dusters". His plane was appropriately called "Lady Grace". Anyone out there that may know my father-in-law? He had the privilege of going on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight this year, April 16, 2011 with my husband, Alan F. Marsch (a Navy veteran). Honor Flight is a 1-day trip to Washington D.C. to honor the WWII veterans, so they may see their memorials. I would be interested to hear from anyone with knowledge or ties to the 368th Fighter Group or the 395th Squadron "Panzer Dusters". Thank you all, and may God bless all of our veterans!
Posted By: Rachel Marsch
(rmarsch@foley.com)
on 08/31/2011 1:39:46 PM EST
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Lt. George Chin (msg id: 2355)
Thank you for sharing - his story is a wonderful story. Great pilot, great FG (406th) and of course the 512th FS. Lt. Chin certainly beat the odds as a Chinese-American, let alone as a P-47 pilot who survived.
Don't know if you have seen this short webBook - good photos and stories by the son of a good friend of your grandfather.
http://512thfightersquadron.com/webBooks/FredBrandtnAngie.pdf
Also check out the 406th FG exhibit at the Pima Air Museum in Tucson - well worth it!
Posted By: PastPilots
on 08/26/2011 12:59:10 AM EST
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Lt George Chin: 406th Fighter Group (msg id: 2354)
I'm the grandson of Late George Chin, his story is told in the local San Mateo paper
See images here. I can be reached at owyang.jeremiah at gmail.com
https://plus.google.com/111654284395316165338/posts/Nh3feqDKNNZ
Being a Chinese American pilot, it'll be interesting to see if anyone remembers him or has more info, let me know! I have more photos, and can share more later
Posted By: Jeremiah Owyang
on 08/25/2011 2:45:57 PM EST
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Capt. Cowell Van Deventer RCAF/USAAF (msg id: 2353)
Capt. Cowell Van Deventer trained as a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force - receiving his "wings" at No. 14 Service Flying Training School, Aylmer, Ontario, October 23, 1941. He was discharged from the RCAF September 24, 1942 to transfer to the USAAF.
Capt. George Gautier was another ex RCAF pilot KIA while serving with the 373rd Fighter Group.
I am researching Americans, like Capt. Van Deventer and Capt. Gautier, who served with the RAF and RCAF during WWII.
Please visit my blog for more information about my project:
www.immigrantsofwar.blogspot.com
Posted By: WPF
(wpf13@hotmail.com)
on 08/16/2011 2:18:02 PM EST
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85th FS Lt. Ward T. Pringle (msg id: 2352)
Hello,
Looking for any service information, pals, etc re: Lt. Ward T. Pringle, my uncle, of Chicago, KIA March 24, 1944, over Orvieto, Italy, flying the X 15 P-47 D, on only with third mission with the Flying Skulls. His flight was protecting bombers that day from a large German aerial ambush of 20 German fighters. His body was recovered from his wrecked P47 by the Orvieto area resistance and hidden until the allies swept through.
Posted By: Robert Pringle
on 08/14/2011 7:25:01 PM EST
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Joseph Nilsen Holmgreen (msg id: 2351)
My father flew 42-28377. The only info I have found is an entry on a database that said he had a "rough landing" in Le Culot, Belgium. He was a member of the 9thAF, 373FG, 412FS. I would love to find someone who may have known him, or any other info about him. I also have his gun camera film that I would like to have digitized if anyone knows a reputable place to do that.
Thanks in advance!!
Posted By: Liz B
on 08/14/2011 1:18:05 PM EST
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Seeking info on Uncle Hank (msg id: 2348)
Anyone who might have known my uncle, 2LT Henry George Hyde (O-816107) 366th F/B Gr 390 Fighter Squadron, please drop me a line at: lilipuha@hotmail.com. Have just returned from his crash site in Normandy (7Jun1944) and recovered parts from A/C. Thanks for your service to our country!
Posted By: Jim Walker USMA 1972
(lilipuha@hotmail.com)
on 08/08/2011 2:34:22 PM EST
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P 47 Pilot (msg id: 2347)
My father, Roy H. Hall of Cairo, Georgia a P-47 pilot died in Cairo, Georgia November of 1984. Is there anyone out there that knew him. I am his only son and would like to talk with you. Please email me at wwhcpa@windstream.net thanks, William W. Hall.
Posted By: William W. (Sonny) Hall
on 08/02/2011 11:49:37 AM EST
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Nickerson and Van Deventer (msg id: 2339)
That is really good to hear that you received much of the information you sought Dan. I will be in Normandy next month for a memorial ceremony and plan to pay my respects to Capt. Van Deventer at the cemetery. Thank you for sharing the story and continued success with your information on Lt. Nickerson. Really great to see what contributors to this site are doing in recognition of the men and women associated with this unique aircraft.
Posted By: PastPilots
on 06/24/2011 4:22:10 PM EST
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Maxwell AFB (msg id: 2338)
Thx PastPilots for the info with Maxwell. They sent a half-inch stack of papers on whats avail. for the 373/410. History,mission reports all.They even sent some example docs for Richard Nickerson and others.They put what you want on CD for 30$ per fiche roll. Capt. Deventer got the units first two kills (me-109s). He was flight commander and formerly with the RAF. One problem i have is there are 2 Richard Nickersons both pilots. One with the Marine Utility Wing flying into Guadalcanal, the other in europe flying p-47s.One Marine, one Army. From what my father has told me it has to be the fighter pilot in europe. But its weird to have 2 pilots with same name.Anyways other people looking for info should try Maxwell AFB
Posted By: Dan
on 06/18/2011 8:47:26 AM EST
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Master Sargent Peter Titus, 91st fighter squad of 81st fighter (msg id: 2337)
My father was not a pilot, but he was trained as a mechanis for the P-47 Thunderbolt by the Republic Aviation Company ( I have the letter from them).
I clearly remember his regret at the short amount of training the ground crew chiefs were given. Dad counted the planes as they came "home" and prayed no one had been lost due to lack of training. He went from North Africa, to Italy, India and ended in China with the 14th AAF flying Tigers. 42 months of straight service. He loved the men he was priveledged to serve and the men he was reaponsible for in the ground crews.
My thanks to you all.
Posted By: Andrea Margolis
(skydot@aol.com)
on 06/17/2011 1:31:06 AM EST
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12th AAF (msg id: 2336)
My father Jay R. Gruver flew P-47D in the Mediterranean theater during WWII. He was in the 85th S, 79thFG and the 12th AAF. He has passed away and was just wondering if anyone out there new him.
Posted By: J Smith
on 06/11/2011 7:39:12 PM EST
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Looking for Someone who knew my Gradapa in WWII. (msg id: 2335)
Hello,I am searching for someone who may have known my Grandfather in WWII. His name was Maurice E. Moran. He was a P47 fighter pilot. He was from Bakersfield, California. He began his milatary carrer in AAF as a radio gunner on Liberator planes, participating in the campaighn against the Japanese in the Aleutians. He went to pilots training in Victoria Texas in 1944. He was an Instructor from July to October 1944 in Pocadello, Id. Then he went overseas as a Thunderbolt fighter pilot and received a Purple Heart for a flak wound to the head, which kept him in the hospital for 30 days. He returned to duty as soon as he could get his helment over his bandages. He was killed in action. He participated in sinking of athe Italian Conte di Savoia the second largest Italian ship afloat.
Posted By: Starlie Verastegui
(texasstarlie@gmail.com)
on 05/31/2011 11:27:10 AM EST
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history (msg id: 2334)
that's what i meant about the O. Army officer. I did email the Air Force Historical office at maxwell so we'll see what happens. And again thx for all your help
Posted By: Dan
on 05/19/2011 10:42:58 PM EST
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Serial Numbers (msg id: 2333)
The O designates a commissioned officer. My understanding is the SN comes when the 2Lt Wings were pinned at graduation and I have seen the number sequences with pilots who graduate in the same class. Some P-47 pilots had a T rather than an O indicating they were a Flight Officer, a WW II only Army Air Corps equivalent of a Warrant Officer. A lot of the 43/44 pilot grad SNs start with a 7 so it appears numbers might be more an indication of where they got their wings rather then when.
Posted By: PastPilots
on 05/19/2011 6:35:54 PM EST
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more numbers (msg id: 2332)
Ok great, Thx. One thing i find interesting is their S/N are close. Cowells 0-885257, Richards 0-868267 does that have any meaning as to where they enlisted or time or military branch? I know the 0- means Army Air Corps. Is Richards # earlier in sequence?
Posted By: Dan
on 05/19/2011 11:53:46 AM EST
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More on 373rd Pilots (msg id: 2331)
Hi Dan. Possible but the COs for the squadron tended to be Maj, and LTC or Col for a fighter group. COs flew missions but rotated. Prob with his 1942-43 experience Capt Van Deventer was a flight leader/1 position and ranking pilot on missions. You could contact the Air Force Historical Research Agency based at Maxwell AFB in Alabama at AFHRANEWS(at)MAXWELL.AF.MIL, they are very helpful and it does take time based on volume of requests. Ask for the 373rd FG/410 FS daily reports or group log for a given period of time (June to Oct, 1944, for ex) and put your name, address and contact number should they have any questions regarding your request. You can also request info on a specific pilot (w/full name, rank and S/N) and they may be able to assist researching missions and sorties (let them know up front you have the MACR already). Pilots like Van Deventer were unique as they brought their strafing/low-level bombing/aerial combat experience from other theatres to the relatively new P47 and mentored hundreds of new pilots like your uncle. Would not be surprised to find he was an instructor somewhere in the US between his N. Africa and ETO assignments, late 1943 to early 1944. He is buried at the Normandy cemetery in France. Good luck and glad these pilots accomplishments are not forgotten.
Posted By: PastPilots
on 05/19/2011 11:28:12 AM EST
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the long road (msg id: 2330)
Thx for all your help. Would Capt. Deventer be Richard's CO? Deventer was blue leader that day and Richard was yellow 4 and was separated from his group by heavy flak when eveyone evaded and teamed with Deventer's three planes. Or would whomever yellow leader was be CO? Or someone back at the base? Lastly any idea how many missions Richard would have done between Woodchurch and France? And is there any daily reports for his group online or anywhere else?
Posted By: Dan
on 05/18/2011 9:23:40 AM EST
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P38 to P47 (msg id: 2329)
Capt Van Deventer appears to have been with the 49th FS which flew P38s though prob before he went overseas in early 1942. The 49th has a very active association and you can contact them through their website. Good luck you must be close. Van Deventer was later in the 52nd FG which did not utilize P38s mostly British lend-lease Spitfires and some P40s and P39s flying from N. Africa bases. He had 2 aerial victories with the 52nd, both on same same day March, 1943, and he did the same with the 373rd in the P47 which he accomplished June, 1944.
Posted By: PastPilots
on 05/17/2011 8:37:01 PM EST
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