William R. Johnson
WILLIAM R.JOHNSON, born
December 27, 1916, at Middletown, Ohio.
Completed elementary and high school at
Williamsburg, Ohio. Was a mechanical engineering student at Dayton University when the desire to become an Air Force pilot
outweighed my enthusiasm for engineering.
Became an Air Force cadet in 1942 and
finished in the class of 43H S.E. Training
Command. After training in P-39s, P-40s,
and P-47s, was assigned in September of
1943 to the 48th Fighter Group, 494th
Fighter Squadron, 9th Air Force stationed in
England. Flew 127 missions with the 48th
which became one of the first fighter groups
to fly from a strip in Normandy.
My most memorable mission occurred on
my birthday, December 27, 1944, while
leading a flight of "Jugs" over the Battle of
the Bulge. Lost number three and four men
during bombing and strafing runs on smoke
targets.
Returning to base at 15,000 feet with
wingman, Lt. Dunham (later lost in action),
spotted a gaggle of approximately thirty 109s
and 190s at one o'clock and roughly 11,000
feet. Called to Lt. Dunham for cover. When
the Jerries were directly below, rolled and
split S. Tailed in out of the sun, throttling
back to keep from over-running.
Sighted in on a 109 and gave two short
bursts. He exploded. Slid over on another
109 and gave one short burst. His wing on
fire, he went into a violent spin, disintegrating as he spun.
Now closing too fast and had to pull up
sharply. Full throttle straight up. Barrel
rolled, pulled over sharply onto the tail of
109 number three. After several bursts,
many pieces were falling away from the
burning craft. Pulled in on a fourth 109.
Two short bursts and the 109 seemed to
shudder as it rolled to the left with dark smoke
pouring from the engine.
Pulling up sharply, looked over my shoulder, but no wingman was in sight, nor was there any radio response.
A 190 was now on my tail and firing. While
maneuvering to lose the 190, another 109
came into sight. Fired short bursts and the
camera recorded hits. With the 190 still on
my tail, turned sharply and pulled up on
another 109. Camera recorded hits from two
bursts. Another burst and ammo was gone.
190 still on my tail and firing.
At 15,000 feet, pushed nose straight
down, hit the water, and quickly redlined at
500. The 190, still firing, disappeared in the
distance.
Returned to base and found Lt. Dunham
already there. Lt. Dunham verified two kills.
Camera assessment gave two destroyed, two
probable, and two damaged. It was indeed a
birthday I'll never forget.
Decorations: Twenty-seven Air Medals,
one Distinguished Flying Cross, one Silver
Star, and several unit citations.
Civilian occupations: Inventor (holder of
thirty-two patents), and now retired corporation president.
In 1946 married Mary Ann O'Farrell of
Rawndon, England. Three children,
Michael, Shiela, and Moria.
Rank of Major at time of discharge from
active duty.
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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