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Stephen Plutt
STEPHEN PLUTT, born July 29,
1917 Virginia, Minnesota. Graduated from
high school Class of 1936. Entered automotive service and sales field 1937. Learned to fly and soloed J-3 Cub September 1939.
Joined U.S. Army Air Corps as an Aviation
Cadet April 1942. Graduated from pilot
training as a 2nd Lt. Class 43-D at Williams
Field, Chandler, Arizona. Assigned to the
360th Fighter Group Muroc, California for
fighter training (P-38). Next assignment was
with the 20th Fighter Group 372nd Fighter
Squadron based at Ontario, California. In
July 1943 was sent to combat operations in
North Africa and assigned to the 82nd Fighter Group 95th Fighter Squadron (P-38)
based at Berrechid, Tunisia. Flew first combat mission August 1943 escorting B-17's to target in Naples, Italy area. Group was moved
to Sicily and flew convoy patrol, dive bomb
and strife missions during the Salerno land.
ing. Next move was to Grombalia, Italy and
flew missions to Greece and Yugoslavia.
Evaded the enemy for three and one half
months before being picked up by an Allied
destroyer off the East coast of Greece February 1944.
Returned to the States and was assigned to
901st ABG (FSE) Squadron "E". Then
based at Orlando, Florida. Flew first P-47 in
April 1944. Did extensive test, demonstration and project work in P-47D and N models. Acquired 606 hours and thirty minutes
P-47 time. Also flew P-59 Aircomet, P-80
Shooting Star and P-61 Black Widow in test
and demonstration work while with 901st
ABG.
Separated from service in February 1946
and moved to Napa, California. Went to work
for Sears Roebuck & Co. Remained in
Reserve at Hamilton AFB, California. Flew
AT-6 and C-45 trainers. Transferred to
Travis AFB, California as a "M" Day Assignee to the 9th Bomb Wing 1st Bomb Squadron (B-29). Recalled to active duty during the
Korean conflict as a B-29 pilot.
5th Operations Squadron as a "M" Day
trainee. Kept current flying C-45, C-47 and
U-3A aircraft. Last assignment with the
reserve was Staff Operations Officer with
Headquarters 5th ABC. Retired as Lt. ColonelJuly 1963.
Joined Thunderbolt Pilot's Association 1979.
Now living in Napa, California with wife
Carmel. Son, Lt. Cdr. Richard Plutt is a U.S.
Navy pilot currently flying F-4 Phantom.
Daughter Carolyn is a Airlines Hostess with
Trans World Airlines.
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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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