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J (I.O.) Cleaver Bradley
J.(I.0.) CLEAVER BRADLEY,
Brad was born April 15th, 1923, in King
Ferry, New York, but moved to De Land,
Florida early in life. Attended Stetson University.
Joined Aviation Cadet program in
September, 1942, called to active duty February, 1943, finished flight school with class
44-E at Craig Field in Selma, Alabama. After
10 hours in P-40 at Craig, had P-47 transition
at Richmond, Virginia, and Gunnery at
Dover, Delaware.
Went overseas February, 1945, to Pilot Pool in England, then on to Tule, France, in March. Had a total of eight missions during thirteen days in 358th Group, 365th Squadron of 1st Tactical A.F. which included dive bombing, strafing, and one B-26 escort mission.
My ninth mission was the end of P-47 flying for me, as I was hit by ground fire, crash-landed in trees (without a scratch) and spent the next 46 days touring France and Germany as a "guest" of the Germans. I covered between 350 and 400 miles on foot during this time, and on April 30th was
returned to U.S. control by the Third Division.
Shortly after returned to visit the 358th
Squadron in Manheim, Germany, but could
not stay, and was returned to Augsburg to
start trip home. Spent 6 weeks in various
hospitals with yellow jaundice, caused by
malnutrition, and returned to the States in
June, 1945.
Got out of Air Force in September and
returned to Stetson University in De Land,
Florida, B.S. degree in Business Administration in August, 1950.
On July 6th, 1946 married Mary Louise
Bohn (Bonnie) and have three sons, Ken
(1947), Robert (1950), and Terry (1961).
Stayed in the Air Force Reserve, and
retired July, 1972 with the rank of Lt. Col.
Joined Stock Brokerage business in 1952,
and am still in same business, with Dean
Witter Reynolds, Inc.
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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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