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John E. Parker
JOHN E. PARKER, born January
19,1925 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Enlisted as
Aviation Cadet May, 1943. Graduated at
Craig Field, Selma, Ala., Class 44-I. After
training in P-40's transitioned in P-47 Razorbacks at Andrews AFB, Washington, DC.
Ferried P-47's to Shaw Field, Sumter, SC for
combat tactical training. Flew new P-47D
models at Shaw and P-47N's during gunnery
at Millville, NJ. While flying gunnery at
Millville, and then again later at Luke Field,
Arizona, Parker was constantly at the head of
his class for outstanding marksmanship. He
completed gunnery at end of European war.
Ferried P-47's to Selfridge Field, Michigan
for storage. Transferred to Dover, Delaware
flying P-47's till release from active duty.
Flew T-6, AT-11, C-47 and B-29 during five
years of Air Force Reserve at MacDill Field,
Tampa, Fla.
Parker was recalled to service in 1951 and
joined the Virginia Air National Guard on
duty with their P-47's at Turner Field, Albany, Ga. The entire unit transferred to Godman AFB, Ft. Knox, Ky. Flew P-47's as
enemy forces during "Operation Longhorn"
out of San Angelo, Texas. Bent Jug on takeoff
by ground looping off end of runway due to
insufficient power. Previous close calls
included dead stick landing after engine failure onto Andrews AFB from 3000' experiencing a turning stall and split-ess, landing
successfully. Later, after a gunnery mission
off Atlantic City, NJ, commenced "rat racing" and during vertical barrel rolls allowed
speed build-up to where all controls froze.
With full power and gentle application of
elevator trim starting at 15,000', became
level at 3,000' and chandelled to 10,000'
with shaken pilot.
Parker completed his second tour of duty
after 37 ground support missions in Korea
while flying P-51 's and wishing for a P-47 .
He was a guest of honor, along with five of
his 44-I classmates, at Craig Field during
graduation exercises for class of 77-I. He was
discharged from the Air Reserve with the
rank of Captain.
He married Judith Lynn Osborn in April
1980. They live in St. Petersburg, Fla. where
he is Composing Manager for The Times
Publishing Co., with 34 years service. He has
two children, John and Jean. He is still active
in flying, owning his own plane for the past
11 years.
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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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