William M. Huttenberger
WILLIAM M.HUTTENBERGER. I believe my wife and I have a little
different story to tell, than most.
We met at one of our improvised dances
with the 95th General Hospital. Although I
spent little time with her that evening, we
were soon to become engaged. We were
married August 3, 1944. From that time on
we have never been very far apart. As we
moved toward Germany so did the 95th
General. We spent one day Christmas shopping together in Paris.
P-47's began for me in Cross City, Florida.
I was assigned to the 81st Fighter Squadron
right out of advanced training. Three other
men and I proved to be the last to be added to
the squadron before it was decided to go to
Europe as a group. Our C.O. at that time was
Colonel Putnam and our Executive Officer
was Colonel Kaiser. Both distinguished themselves in the South Pacific. However, their leadership was not to be and we did leave the
U.S. under the command of Colonel Greenfield. The 81st Squadron C.O. was Coloneln Stubbs, who later transferred to Wing Command. The best part of my career I've already noted. I was married. However, in 99 missions I managed to get a Purple Heart, a
Distinguished Flying Cross, and 18 Air Medals. Our Squadron went from Lymington,
England to Carenton, France on D plus six.
We followed that with a jump to Reams,
France and down to Lyon, France to cover
the northern push up the Rhine River. From
Toole O'Shea France we went to Wurtzburg,
Germany where we disbanded after V.J day
and took the boat home. Believe it or not my
wife was also on that boat.
What has happened to me since has been
interesting to me at least. I've raised two
lovely daughters and so far have two granddaughters. Don't know where the boys are.
I've been successful in business and have
recently started a new business. I'm looking
forward to all the future reunions.
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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