Ray T. Walker
RAY T. WALKER, born August 18. 1921 in Rosedale. Oklahoma. Graduated Duncan High School, attended Oklahoma University and Cameron College where he learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program along with Robert Johnson of Law-ton. Oklahoma (European Ace).
In June 1941 recruited into R.C.A.F. at Windsor. Ontario. In March 1942 received his wings and Pilot Officer Commission at Ottawa Ontario. Joined a P-40 Squadron on Vancouver Island, and from there spent a year in the Aleutians and Kodiak.
Was posted to England and was aboard a ship that was torpedoed and sunk in March 1943. After a short stay in England, was sent to India where he joined 261 Squadron Flying Hurricanes and later P-47's. Was transferred to 146 Squadron as Senior Flight Commander, becoming acting Squadron Commander and leading over seventy squadron missions, mostly ground support and against Japanese Air Bases in Burma and Siam.
While covering land, sea and airborne forces invading Japanese positions in the Rangoon area, he spotted allied prisoners atop the Federal Prison. They were spelling out messages to the fact that the Japanese had left the area. Most particularly he spotted and recognized F/Lt. Herb Ivens, a close friend and Flight Commander from 146 Squadron who was shot down and believed killed, six months earlier.
Walker returned to his home in Oklahoma after discharge in September 1945 and operated a flying school for several years, before moving to Oregon and subsequently to California, he now resides in Merced, where he operates a real estate and land development business. He has one son and two grandsons and if you want to get a conversation from him, just ask about them.
Walker was called to Tulsa. Oklahoma some four years after the war and was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross.
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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