Frank S. Perego
FRANK S. PEREGO, born June 15, 1916 in Canandaiqua, N.Y., graduated University of Rochester with B.A. Degree in 1937. Worked as salesman for Hallmark Greeting Cards prior to appointment as Flying Cadet in Class 41.G. Commissioned 2nd Lt. Sept. 1941, assigned 36th Pursuit
Group, Puerto Rico. Transferred to Trinidad
after Dec. 7 and became C.O. 22nd Ftr.
Sqdn. in 1942. Returned to U.S. in June
1943; joined 368th Ftr. Group as Gp. Ops.
officer. Group assigned 9th Ftr. Command
England Dec. 1943. Perego promoted to
Dep. Group C.O. and became C.O. 368th in
Sept. 1944. Flew 115 combat missions in
P-47. Two E/A unconfirmed air-to-air, one
E/A destroyed on ground. Group received
Presidential citation for destroying over 500
vehicles in one day. Decorations include DFC
with bronze cluster; Legion of Merit; Air
Medal with 18 Oak leaf clusters; French
Croix de Guerre; British DFC.
Promoted Colonel March 1945. Returned
to U.S. Dec. 1945, assigned to original cadre
of Tactical Air Command until assuming
command of 1st Ftr. Group in Nov. 1947 at
March AFB flying the first jets in the Air
Force until June 1950.
Became Deputy Operations 9th Air Force
until assigned to Korea in April 1952 as Asst.
Dep. Operations 5th Air Force. Became C.O.
18th Ftr. Wing June 1952-June 1953. Flew
70 missions F-51 's and F-86F's. Graduated
from Air War College June 1954 and
assigned to Pentagon as Chief Tactical Requirements Division Hqs. USAF. Resigned
regular Colonel commission in June 1956 to
enter private industry.
Became Director Program Planning General Dynamics Corp. from June 1956-Sept.
1961 in New York City. Joined Raytheon
Co. as Western Regional Manager, Defense
Products in Los Angeles until March 1964
when he joined Northrop Corporation. Was
Vice President Marketing Aircraft Division
and later Corporate Vice President Domestic
Marketing. Resigned June 1971 to start ice
cream and pizza franchises. Currently is General Partner owning small Sizzler Family steakhouse chain in North Central California.
Married Jane Anderson in 1946 and had
three children - Dianne, Todd and Melinda.
Jane and Todd deceased in 1967 and 1970.
Currently married to Judith Black and residing in Pleasanton, California.
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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