Robert J. Pinkowski
ROBERT J. PINKOWSKI, born
June 30,1919, South Bend, Indiana, graduated St. Hedwige High School, then served apprenticeship in the Printing Trades. October 16th, 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. ARMY Infantry, trained in basic training at
Camp Walters, Texas, after completing basic
training, he joined the 105th Infantry, 27th
Division at Fort Ord, California. He left for
the Pacific with the Advance Detail February
10,1942, landed at Pearl Harbor, Stationed
at Schofield Barracks, volunteered for Ranger Training, after 10 weeks of this training he was called back to his unit and informed he
was accepted in Class 44-C as an Aviation
Cadet, graduating and commissioned at Luke
Field, Arizona. His first assignment was with
the 57th Fighter Group, 66th Fighter
Squadron, later transferred to 65th Fighter
Squadron. Participating in "Operation
Strangle" with the 57th till the German
capitulation. He flew 68 Missions Dive
Bombing, Strafing, in close support, and
destroying bridges and supply routes in the
Brenner Pass. He was awarded the Air Medal
with 2 Clusters.
Returned to Civilian life November 28,
1945, resumed his life in the printing trades,
then became supervisor of Production Control in the Bendix Corp. Aviation Division. Concentrating on Fuel Metering for the
Computer Bodies and afterburners, for the
F-1ll. Spent 8 years as the office manager
for the South Bend Water Works. Since
1974, he has been a representative for the
American Family Life Assurance Co. of
Columbus, Ga., and for the last 3 years has
served as Regional Manager for this company. He married Rita Janowski in 1943, and has three children, Mary Grace, Charles and
Stephen, along with 7 Grandchildren.
Aerospace Defense Command writes an
eulogy for the fighter Pilot.- Say what you
will about him; arrogant, cocky, boisterous
and a fun loving fool to boot - but he has
earned his place in the sun
Across the span of 50 years he has given
this country some of its proudest moments
and most cherished military traditions.
But fame is short lived and little the world
remembers. Almost forgotten are the 1,400
fighter pilots who stood alone against the
might of Hitlers Germany during the dark
summer of 1940, and, in the words of Sir
Winston Churchill, gave England "its finest
hour".
Gone from the hardstands of Duxford are
the 51's with their checkerboard noses that
terrorized the finest fighter squadrons the
Luftwaffe had. Dimly remembered, the 4th
Fighter Group that gave Americans some of
their proud moments in the skies over Korea.
How fresh in recall are the Air Commandoes
who valiantly struck the VC with their
aging Skyraiders in the rain - and blood-soaked valley called Shau? And how long will be remembered the "Thuds" over Route
Packed Six and flak filled skies above Hanoi?
So here's a nickel on the grass to you, my
friend, for your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice,
and courage - but most of all your friendship. Yours is a dying breed and when you are gone the world will be a lesser place.
Thanks to the unknown author, from a Fighter Pilot.
Pilot Name
|
Biography Summary
|
John Abbotts
|
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.
|
Asa A. Adair
|
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.
|
Edward B. Addison
|
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.
|
Levon B. Agha-Zarian
|
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.
|
George N. Ahles
|
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.
|
Roy J. Aldritt
|
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.
|
Eugene J. Amaral
|
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.
|
Talmadge L. Ambrose
|
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.
|
John C. Anderson
|
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.
|
William Anderson
|
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.
|
|
|