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Harold E. Gallagher
HAROLD E. GALLAGHER, born
1919 Dec. 3 Asheville, Ohio.
1920-1940 Sharecroppers son. Worked
and loved 160 acres of land. Entered Army
Sept. 1941, Ft. Hayes, Columbus, Ohio.
Took physical and written exam for cadets.
Failed due to hearing, took test for aircraft
mechanics at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.
At Kessler Field, Biloxi, Miss., graduated
4th class. Morrison Field, West Palm Beach,
Fla. took test for Flying Sergeant sent to
Maxwell Field, Alabama.
Graduated from Class of 43-C at Napier
Field, Dothan, Ala. Sent to Cross City and
Perry, Fla. and Tallahassee, Fla. for P-47
Training. From there, to Presque Isle,
Maine, and then by C-54 to Scotland.
We did 35 days at Shrewsbury, England,
and then on to Halesworth,as a replacement
pilot, in the 62nd Squadron, 56th Group.
Capt. Horace (Pappy) Craig was my Com-
manding Officer. I flew 40-50 Missions from
Halesworth and then moved to Boxted. Axis
Sally told us of our move by radio the next
day. I finished my tour on May 2, 1944, one
month before the invasion and completed 72
missions. I was back as an instructor at
Shrewsbury for 3 months before going back
to the States.
I got one ME-I09, 1 FW-190 and shared a
ME210 with Pappy Craig. The 109, I shot
off the tail of Lt. Merrill. I can still hear him
saying "Thanks C-Bar." The Hun crashed
into the trees, but was not confirmed.
Besides dropping a few bombs as a group
and as a B-24 Bombardier and a P-38 Bombardier as our leader, I am not sure how many
people or animals I killed.
I helped in blowing up a few trains, and
barges. The latter gave me some nightmares,
because I blew away a man on the Barge! I
think Fred Christenson was my flight leader
at the time. He was shooting flak towers,
while I was doing the barges.
After instructing P-47's in the States I was
transferred to Bourinquen, Puerto Rico, in
the ferry command flying C-47's and C-54
and B-17's.
Separated in 1947 with 3800 total hours.
Owned and operated a pie bakery for 23
years, and have been working in the Dept. of
Corrections of Ohio for 10 years, and hope to
retire soon.
Married Peggy Ann, and have one daughter, Billie Jo, age 24.
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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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