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John W. Keeler
JOHN W. KEELER, born 15 October
1919 in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania retired
from United States Air Force in 1975 after
33 years of military duty. He returned to his
birthplace to work with his brother as editor
of the Rocket-Courier, a four generation
family newspaper. He died 15 July 1979 in
a light plane crash near Gettsyburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to entry in service in 1941 he
attended Augusta Military Academy and Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Virginia.
He entered Flying Cadet training in 1942,
graduated and was commissioned August
1943. Instructed in single-engine fighter
planes before assignment to 56th Fighter
Squadron in England. Flew 46 combat missions in P-47 Thunderbolts and destroyed six
enemy aircraft, one a Messerschmitt 262.
Separated from service September 1945, he
returned to Wyalusing as editor of two Keeler
newspapers. Recalled to duty in 1950 for
Korean War as a fighter-bomber pilot with
the "Black Panther" Squadron, flying 166
combat missions in the F-80. Spent four
years ferrying jets to NATO nations.
Instructed aerial gunnery in F-100 Super
Sabre. Following two years at Tactical Air
Command Headquarters, Langley AFB, Virginia was assigned to 405th Fighter Wing,
Philippines in 1960. Served in Office of
Information at Air Force Academy, Colorado
three years.
During a year's duty in Vietnam, Keeler
served on General Westmoreland's staff giving daily press briefings on the air war to 400
war correspondents; also logged 45 combat
missions. Served as Information Officer for
USAF Third Air Force in England. In 1969
became Director of Information, Air Training Command, Randolph AFB, Texas. His
last position with USAF was Director of
Information for the 70,000-man United
States Air Force in Europe (USAFE). A
fighter-pilot in three wars Keeler had more
than 7500 flying hours in aircraft ranging
from the PT-17 to F-4 Phantom. His decorations include: the Silver Star Medal, Legion
of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with two
Oak Leaf Clusters, The Bronze Star and the
Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters. Member of the P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association he served as Jug Letter editor from 1977
until his death. A recognized authority on the
Civil War he had a book published on history
of that era (Civil War Chronicle).
Married to Elinor Snyder in 1941 they
have three children, Jay, Crosby, Texas,
released from Air Force in 1973; Barbara,
wife of USAF Major Kenneth Lord and
Sherida, wife of USAF Captain Peter Gilbert.
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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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