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Michael J. Jackson
MICHAEL J. JACKSON volunteered for flying training in 1941 and graduated from Kelly Field with the class of 42C as
a second lieutenant. Following assignment as
an instructor pilot at Randolph Field he was
transferred to Stewart Field, United States
Military Academy, West Point. He was one of
fifty in the original cadre of instructors to
teach basic, advanced and fighter training to
West Point cadets. With the graduation of the
first class with wings in June of 1943,
Lieutenant Jackson volunteered for combat
duty. Assigned to the 407th Fighter Bomber
Group, he flew A-36's, P-51's and P-47's.
The following year he joined the 56th Fighter Group, European Theatre of Operations, England and became Operations Officer of
the 62nd Fighter Squadron flying P-47's.
In the course of progressing from wing
man to flight leader, then to Squadron and
Group lead positions, Major Jackson was
credited with destroying 8 enemy aircraft in
the air, damaging another two, destroying 6
aircraft on the ground and damaging 3, for a
total of 14 enemy aircraft destroyed and 5
damaged.
Returning to the United States in 1945 as
a Squadron Commander, Richmond Air
Base, Major Jackson was then made a Provisional Group Commander of a Fighter Demonstration Unit, 24th Fighter Squadron,
First Air Force, putting on fighter demonstration techniques for occupational forces.
Upon discharge from the Army Air Corps
in January 1946, Major Jackson continued
in assignments with the Air Force Reserve
and 108th Fighter Wing, ANG. Later in
returning to the Air Force Reserve in assignments with MAC and TAC he retired as a Brigadier General in September of 1975
completing 34 years of service. His last
assignment was Mobilization Assistant to the
Commander 9th Air Force, Tactical Air
Command. He is a Command Pilot with over
4,000 hours flying time.
His awards and decorations include: Silver
Star; Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 oak
leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with
1 oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with 15 oak leaf
clusters; Purple Heart; American Campaign
Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern
Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; European Theatre of Operational Medal
with 5 Battle Stars; Presidential Unit Citation with 1 oak leaf cluster; Armed Forces
Reserve Medal (Air Force); Air Force Longevity Service Award; Small Arms Expert
Marksmanship Medal; and Vietnam Service
Medal.
General Jackson attended Pace University, N.Y.C., Air War College (Abbreviated
Course), Industrial War College, ECI, Tactical Warfare Center, TAC.
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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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