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Lewis T. Easterling
LEWIS T. EASTERLING, born January 20, 1924 in Ellerbe, N.C., a graduate of
Rockingham High School, enlisted as a Aviation Cadet March, 1943. Tom received his wings and commission at Spence Field, Ga. in
class of 44-B. After further training in P-40's
and P-47's he was transferred, in mid 1944,
to the 495th Fighter Group in England. He
then moved to the 358th Fighter Group,
365 Fighter Squadron, 9th Air Force stationed . on the Cherbourg Peninsula in France. The 358th gave Patton's 3rd Army
close support across France by destroying
enemy supply routes, gun emplacements,
barges, trains, ammo depots, bridges and
other military targets.
Easterling flew his 68th sortie on December 17 near Mannheim, Germany, attacking
railway marshaling yards containing supplies
destined for the "Bulge" at Bastogne. While
strafing, an explosion engulfed his plane
inflicting extensive damage. He headed his
flaming plane toward home receiving heavy
ground fire. When the propeller stopped
turning he attempted to bailout, but became
pinned to the side of the fuselage. Breaking
free, he collided with the tail finally managing to open his chute at approx. 800 ft. He
continued to receive automatic rifle and 20
mm fire until landing. Multiple injuries were
sustained, including two broken legs and a
gun shot wound. He was in immediate danger
from the civilians but was rescued by S.S.
Troops who transported him to a small village
where a demonstration and mock execution
took place.
Most of his time as P-O-W. was spent in a
room with 15 or 20 other wounded prisoners, none of whom spoke English. He returned to the U.S. in June, 1945 and
received medical treatment until his discharge from Walter Reed Hospital in November 1947. He was awarded the Purple Heart,
six Air Medals, the E.T.O. ribbon with three
Battle Stars.
He married Leo Wright at Bolling Field
Chapel in November 1947, graduated from
Kings College and settled in Charlotte, N.C.
He was employed as Secretary and Treasurer
of a Multi-Corporate Furniture Co. and later
as Director of Finance of Union Memorial
Hospital. Currently he is owner and manager
of the Easterling Real Estate Co. He has one
daughter, two sons and three grandchildren.
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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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