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David Curtis Parrish
DAVID CURTIS PARRISH, JR.,
born May 14, 1921 near Paris, Kentucky.
Son of David C. Parrish and Stella Adams.
Graduated from Paris High School in 1940
and post-graduate from Greenbriar Military
School, Lewisburg, West Virginia. Enlisted
in the Army Air Force as a Cadet April 19,
1942. Graduate of Class 43D April, 1943.
As a single engine fighter pilot was selected
to join the 368 Fighter Group when it was
put together at Westover Field, Massachusetts in the summer of 1943. Served with the
8th and 9th Air Force in Europe, flying a
total of 102 missions, 250 combat hours, all
in the P-47 Thunderbolt. Given credit for 4
confirmed aircraft shot down and 2 probables.
Flew 50 escort missions with the 8th Air
Force over Europe before being transferred
to the 9th Air Force. Flew 52 strafing
missions with the 9th Air Force, including
the Normandy Invasion and Patton's 3rd
Army across Europe with 396 Flying Squadron (Thunderbums).
Was recommended for the Silver Star and
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air
Medal with 21 Clusters, 5 Campaign Stars
and Unit Commendation Citation.
Released from service 1945 as Captain.
Returned to Bourbon County, Kentucky to
farm. Presently partner and President of
Clay Ward Agency, Inc., specializing in live-
stock insurance with Lloyd's of London. Also
farmer and breeder of Thoroughbred horses.
Director of Bourbon Agricultural Bank &
Trust Company, Paris, Kentucky, Director
of Thoroughbred Breeders of Kentucky, Past
President of Thoroughbred Club of America,
Past President of Paris Rotary Club, Past
President of Paris-Bourbon County
Y.M.C.A.
Married Susan Taylor Hyde of West Hart.
ford, Connecticut August, 1945. Father of 3
children: Rodes Shackelford Parrish, Helen
Parrish Beach, and Leslie Parrish Isaacs.
Presently a resident of Paris, Kentucky.
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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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