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Charles William Lenfest
Lenfest, Charles (Chuck) William
Brigadier General
Born: July 3, 1920 - Caldwell, Idaho
WWII FIGHTER ACE!
Chuck Lenfest graduated from US Military Academy in January 1943 following completion of Flight School in December, 1942. He had approximately 500 hours of single engine time before flying his first combat mission with the 354th FS/355th FG in September 1943. He destroyed his first Me 109 on March 16, 1944 while his flight destroyed 4 more. Lenfest became an Ace on 6 August, 1944 early in his second tour, as 354FS Ops Officer, then led the 354th on the last Shuttle Mission over Warsaw in September, 1944.
As acting 354CO, Major Lenfest became POW following a failed attempt to rescue Henry Brown near the Nordlingen Airdrome but escaped in April 1945 along with Marion Woolard. Woolard was killed by friendly fire artillery while both were hiding from the Germans in a church near the front lines.
Lenfest was 309FS Co when the 31st FW made the first non-stop jet fighter trip across the Pacific Ocean. He attended War College, was promoted to Colonel in 1954, General in 1967 and retired as Deputy, Plans Air Force Development HQ in 1969.
Final score was 5.5 destroyed plus 2 damaged in the air; 2.5 destroyed and 5 damaged on the ground.
Awards: Polish Cross of Valor, DFC (4), AM (7), Distinguished Unit Citation
Aircraft assigned; P-47D 42-22464 WR-F Lorie, P-51B 43-6948 WR-F Lorie II, P-51B 42-106874 WR-F Lorie III, P-51D 44-13950 WR-F Lorie IV, P-51D 44-14275 WR-F Lorie V
Written by Bill Marshall,
author "Angels, Bulldogs and Dragons - History of the 355FG in WWII"
Contributed by Bill Marshall, October, 2006. Unverified.
The text is copyright Bill Marshall 2006. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy or reproduce this biography without the express written consent of Bill Marshall.
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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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