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Joseph F. Cork, Jr.
JOSEPH F. CORK, JR., born February 4, 1924 in New York City_Graduated
Great Neck High-Hofstra University.
Enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in late 1942
and trained in the class of 44-D, graduating
and commissioned at Craig Field, Alabama.
Briefly assigned to the 21st Fighter Squadron, 413th Fighter Group, until forced to "belly" in the ole' Jug due to a landing gear
malfunction. Re-assigned to the 456th Fighter Squadron, 414th Fighter Group in
December 1944, Selfridge Field, Michigan.
Shipped to Iwo Jima during the closing
months of WW II. Flew several long range
missions during the Japanese Empire in the
P-47 N Series. After the hostilities ended, the
414th Fighter Group flew to Clark Field via
a stop at Okinawa. Given extra duty as Group
Mess Officer. . . discovered a Black Market
Ring operating out of our main Mess Hall.
Working closely with the cooperation of our
Base Commander and Counter Intelligent
Officers, he infiltrated the huge Black Mar-
ket Ring composed mainly of local Fillipinos.
Within one week rounded up almost the
entire Ring. Facing death threats from other
local Fillipinos, he escaped the Clark Field
area with official permission from Major
General Worthsmith to be re-assigned to
Bagio, Philippines. Transferred to the 12th
Airdrone Squadron on Palawan Island, Philippines. Duties included: Provost Marshal, Prison Officer, Trial Judge Advocate and
recruiting Officer. Released from the service
December, 1946 . . . Captain in the reserve.
Presently, President of The Mills Metal
Partition Company, New York. Fabricators
of Movable Steel Partitions. Official member
of the Caterpillar Club (jumped from a P-47
on May 1st, 1945). Charter Member of the
P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association and
only two (2) time "Life" Member. Vitamin
and health nut. Favorite participating sports:
Tennis, Racquetball and Volleyball. Collects
all books pertaining to the Thunderbolt and
miniature WW II planes.
Married Dorothy Mary Hirth of New York
City September 15, 1950. Three "Athletic"
boys: Joseph III, John, and James plus one
grandson, Joseph IV.
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Pilot Name
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Biography Summary
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John Abbotts
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P-47 transition followed at Pocatello, Idaho and Greenville, Texas after which he was assigned to the 56th Fighter Group in England. When the news of his arrival reached Berlin, Hitler retired to his bunker with his cyanide capsule and revolver. Eva found the news equally depressing.
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Asa A. Adair
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He returned to the States in August of 1944 after participating in the invasion "D" Day. He flew P-63's, P-51's, F-80's, T-33's, F-84's, T-38's, P-47's in numerous assignments during the following twenty years in in, Japan, U.S.A. and Europe before retiring after twenty-six years of Active Duty.
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Edward B. Addison
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The 507th Fighter Group, equipped with P-47N's, won the Presidential Unit Citation for destroying 32 Japanese aircraft in the air on one mission to Seoul, Korea. The average flying time for raids to Korea and Japan would be 7 to 9 hours flying time. In a total of 31 months, the 507th not only provided top cover for B-29's, but also
dive-bombed, napalm-bombed and flew low-level on strafing missions.
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Levon B. Agha-Zarian
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It is rumored that he, took his primary training on a flying rug. He flew Spits, briefly, in England, but as the, war moved to the East, he was sent to India as a Sgt. Pilot and first saw action from Ceylon, flying the Curtiss P.36, the Brewster Buffalo, and the Hurricane. At this point he might have opted for the rug! This was at the time of the fall of Singapore and the sinking of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse.
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George N. Ahles
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Posted to A-20 light bomber squadron Barksdale Field, Louisiana. . Group moved to Hunter Air Base Savannah, Georgia. Qualified for Pilot training November 1940. Entered Aviation Cadets January 1942. Presented wings November 1942 class of 42-J. Married Mary Louise while in Advanced Pilot Training at Craig AFB, Selma, Alabama, September 1942.
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Roy J. Aldritt
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Shortly after the group moved to France he ran into some unseen flak and was forced to make a nylon descent behind the lines; some evasion and a lot of luck had him back with his unit
in 24 hours.
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Eugene J. Amaral
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After graduation from Stonington High School he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in December 1942 and was called to active duty in March, 1943. He received his wings and commission at Spence Field, Georgia as a member of the Class of 43-C.
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Talmadge L. Ambrose
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Flew 84 missions thru VE Day, was downed by 22mm ground fire over Siefried Line. He destroyed 11 enemy aircraft, 9 known confirmed in air and on
ground, including 4 FW 190-D's in one afternoon over Hanover, Germany, April 8, 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross,
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, 17 man, Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Pacific Theatre and European Theatre Meda1s with 5 Battle
Stars and Unit Citation Medal.
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John C. Anderson
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After P-47 transition he was assigned to the 406th Fighter Group, 512th Fighter Squadron. (E.T
.0.) He flew 56 missions through January, 1945 destroying supply routes, bridges, and railroads; he also flew close support missions with the ground forces, with attacks on tanks, artillery and enemy positions.
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William Anderson
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It was not always flak,two ME-109's beat the hell out of me one day. The central controller called me and said "Basher-Red Leader do you have contact Bandits," I replied, "I sure do, I'll bring them over the field in 3 minutes, they're chasing me home." Got all the usual medals including two Belgium and two French but one I'm most proud of is the Silver Star -it is the greatest.
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