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Franklin P. Luckman
FRANKLIN P. LUCKMAN, JR.,
born in Philadelphia, Penna. on June 26,
1923. Frank graduated from Spence Field,
Moultrie, Georgia - Class of 43-J. Trained
in P-47's at Richmond, Va. and Millville,
New Jersey. He transferred to England and
joined the 365th Fighter Group, 388th
Fighter Squadron, 9th Air Force in May,
1944, attaining the rank of Captain and
position of flight leader during his combat
tour that extended from just prior to "D"
Day through the end of WW II. During that
time, and with his nickname of "Lucky", he
flew many of his 103 combat missions in
"Lucky's Lady". Most of those flights were
in support of ground troops or interdiction
throughout France, Belgium, Luxembourg
and Germany. On Oct. 21, 1944 Luckman
participated in a fighter sweep in which he
destroyed one FW-190 and damaged another
while the 365th destroyed a total of 21
aircraft, 11 probables and 3 damaged without loss to itself. This led to the Fighter
Groups first of two Presidential Unit Citations. The second came on April 20, 1945
when Luckman flew his 100th mission after
30 days TD R&R stateside by joining his
squadron and group in the strafing and total
destruction of 38 ammunition dumps near
Zeithain. "Lucky" and Lucky's Lady flew
combat through the period leading to the
liberation of France and Belgium, resulting
in the awarding of both the French and
Belgique Fourre Guerres to the 365th Fighter Group for their contribution to the cause.
By war's end, Luckman had been awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air
Medal with 18 Oak Leaf Clusters. He
remained with the 365th Fighter Group
until it was inactivated at Camp Miles Standish, Boston, Mass., Sept. 22, 1945.
In the years following, Frank Luckman
completed his Machinist Apprenticeship,
attended Drexel University at night, married
Ann Clabby, flew with the reserves, then
once again flew "JUGS" with the Delaware
Air National Guard. By late 1949, he was
flying Republics F-84 jet fighter, and within
two months after being recalled to active
duty with the Guard, was flying combat over
Korea with the 27th Fighter Wing - in the
F-84.
After flying 52 combat missions, he and
the 27th returned to Bergstrom AFB, Texas.
Following his release in June, 1952, he and
Ann returned to Philadelphia and built their
dream home in Abington, Pa. where they
reside today.
At this writing Frank is president and
owner of Luckman Corporation, supplying
sophisticated equipment to the Dental profes-sion both here and abroad.
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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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