William D. Dunbar (Billy)
WILLIAM D. DUNBAR (BILLY),
born 12/21/22 - Le Grande, Oregon, Education - BA - education - university of
Nebraska at Omaha, General Secondary
Teaching Credential - State of California.
Family Data - Married to Gloria Darlene -
Children one son William Jr.; two daughters
- Stephanie and Jeanne and two grandsons.
I flew 214 combat hours in the P-47 with
a total of 78 combat missions in the E.T.0.
396th FTR SQ 368th FTR Group 9th A.F.
My first sortie was on 10-2-44 and the last
5-9-45.
One of my most memorable flying experiences was the mission of 23 Dec. 44 near
Kobleny Germany. A group of Martin B-26's
were jumped by thirty odd FW-190's and
Me-l09's. Our squadron was on a recce
mission and we happened along at the right
time. Three B-26's were hit and going down
when we entered the fight. I was rolling out
of a turn when I spotted a FW-190 shooting
"hell" out of a jug. I was able to give him a
short burst and got strikes at the wing root
area. He burst into flames and went down. I
then escorted the crippled P-47 back to our
base. We had a great day, we claimed 13 of
the enemy destroyed and we lost one P-47.
I left the service in Dec. '45 and was
recalled in Oct. 52. I was in Sac for 15 years
"passing gas" to bombers and fighters around
the world. I flew sixty tanker missions out of
Thailand in support of the fighters in Viet
Nam.
Total flying time 5500 hours. Types of
Aircraft flown in my career P-40, P-47,
P-51, T-29, KC-97, KC-135, T-39.
I retired from the Air Force 1 July 70
Rank of Lt. Col. Medals: 1. DFC, 2. Air Medal
14 0LC, 3. Meritorious Service Medal, 4. Air
Force Commendation Medal 20LC, 5. Belgium Crois De Guerre.
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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