Lou A. Mastriani
LOU A. MASTRIANI, born on March 22, 1918, in Schenectady, New York. His
service career began shortly after the attack
of Pearl Harbor, when he enlisted as an
Aviation Cadet. He graduated and was commissioned a second lieutenant at Napier
Field, Dothan, Alabama, class 42-J.
Mastriani's first assignment overseas was
ferrying newly assembled P-40's from the
Gold Coast in Africa to Cairo, Egypt. Four
such trips were made. His first tactical assignment began in February 1943, and was with
the 57th Fighter Group, 64th Squadron. At
that time, the 57th was assigned to the
British 8th Army supporting General Montgomery's push west across North Africa.
He flew 92 missions between February
1943, and June 1944, some of which included supporting the liberation of Sicily. In
addition, several missions were flown over
Yugoslavia, one of which resulted in his
receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mastriani was also the recipient of the Air
Medal with 6 Clusters and a Presidential Unit
Citation.
Upon completion of this tour of duty, he
was assigned to a combat training unit flying
P-47's at Bradley Field, Windsor Locks,
Connecticut.
Released from active duty in August of
1945, as a Captain, he was placed on reserve
status and in September of 1946, he began
working toward his degree in civil engineering. The year 1950 proved to be one of the
most eventful as in June, Mastriani graduated
from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and accepted a position as civil engineer with the Department of Transportation,
State of New York. He was married to Jean
Purcell of Troy, New York, in October, and
was recalled to active duty as a result of the
Korean War in December. He served his
second tour of duty as Assistant Professor of
Air Sciences and Tactics, R.O.T.C. Department, Syracuse University.
At the end of the hostilities in Korea, he
requested release from active duty an
entered a partnership with his two brothers
which involved the retail drug business and
real estate.
Mastriani has three sons: John, Mark an
Christopher. He presently resides in upstate
New York with his wife, Jean.
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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