Robert C. Grout
ROBERT C. GROUT "BOB" - born
August 25, 1921, graduated from Sierra
College, Auburn, California as a civil Engineer. He obtained his Commercial Pilots
License while in college and began his professional career with the State of California,
Division of Highways and enlisted as an
Aviation Cadet in 1942. Trained in class
43J, graduated and commissioned at Luke
Field, Arizona. First assignment as a Flight
Instructor at Minter Field. Flew BTI3, T6,
P40 then transferred to P47 and flew with
9th Air Corps., 404th Group 506th squadron.
Flew 93 missions destroying supply
routes, ammunition depots, bridges, railroads, close support attacks on tanks and
artillery, and had a few confirmed victories
on German aircraft. He was downed by
88MM fire during the battle of the Bulge and
walked back thru enemy lines to friendly
territory. He was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross, Air Medal with II clusters,
Purple Heart, Presidential Citation, French
Croix de Guerre and Belgian Fuire La
Guerre. Released from active duty in 1946
and returned to his career in engineering
with the California Division of Highways.
He was recalled to active duty during the
Korean Conflict and was assigned as Chief
Test Pilot and Maintenance Control Officer
at Mather Field, California. Flying B25,
T29, B50 and other planes.
Returned to his career with Highways
Maintenance and Construction. Then promoted to become Deputy Equipment Engineer for Department of Transportation and
was Chairman of California State Equipment
Council. He is a registered Professional Engineer. Retired from the State after 38 years
and is currently a consulting Engineer.
He is a charter member of the western P47
Pilots Association. He married Naomi "Buttons," a Canadian nurse in the British Army.
During his combat tour in Europe at St. Trac
and, Belgium and has four children -
Sherrin, Robert, Janice and Richard.
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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