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John D. Craig
JOHN D. CRAIG, born October 26,
1923 in Ben Avon, Pittsburgh, PA, enlisted
in the Army Air Corps Reserve at State
College, PA on Nov. 11, 1942, while
enrolled as a sophomore in Chemical Engineering
at Penn State. Active duty attained
in February '43 with graduation and commission at Moore Field, Mission, Texas in the class of 44-E. Transition in P-40's also at
Moore Field. RTU training took place at
Wendover, UT; Breuning, NE; Pocatello, ID
and Greenville, TX. The many sites due to a
change in war priorities. However, a wonder.
ful exchange and response between pilot and
the beautiful Jug developed.
Jack joined the 514th Squadron, 406th
Fighter Group of the 29th Tactical Air
Command, 9th Air Force at Y-29 Asch,
Belgium in February 1945. Along with
being tail-end Charlie there was time for
..voulez vous couche avec moi," a few
escorts, support Rhine crossing, cognac and
Cafe de la Paix, airfield or two, couple of
tanks, R&R on the Riviera, marshalling
yards, runway alert, ..wilst du slafen mit
mir," more tail-end Charlie, several zigzag-
ging Kraut motorcyclists - why do crew
chiefs count holes in their favorite plane -
schnaps, twinkling lights and an assortment
of four legged animals before V -E Day at X-94
Handorf, Germany. Post V-E Day at R-56 in
Nordholz, Germany brought parade cover
flights with close formation spell outs such as
USA, CCCP AND SHIT. To the Pacific
through the States was not to be. Group
Occupation designation was followed by a
severe reaction to the scabies sulfur cure.
Return to the U.S.A. and escape from regimented boredom occurred in May 1946 with
graduation from Penn State in 1949.
Industrial sales of products to the ceramic
industry ensued with entry as a Manufacturer's Agent occurring in 1958. In 1961 with four others a corporation was established to
manufacture a ceramic product called pre-formed media used primarily by the mass
produced metal parts finishing sector. These
Areas continue to be avidly pursued.
The Republic Thunderbolt bash of 1961
was attended. The early meetings without
wingmen at functions were memorable. Life
was more worthwhile after marriage in 1949
to Ruth V. Brodnax and four wonderful
children, Susan, Doug, Sam and Betsy, made
life even more enjoyable.
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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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