|
Harry W. Wallick
 HARRY W. WALLICK, born November 5. 1922 in Greensboro, North Carolina. He graduated from high school, attended business college, and was employed as secretary to a Swift and Company division manager when he enlisted in the Air Corps Reserve on August 12, 1942.
Entered active duty at Fort Bragg, N.C. in September 1942 and after training at six different bases, he was graduated as a single engine fighter pilot, Craig Field, Alabama, August 1943 (43-H). There followed many bases and many different aircraft, including a lengthy stint as a P-40 instructor pilot and a tour with a P-63 special unit. In January 1945 the P-47 and the 507th Fighter Group at Dalhart AAF, Texas became an integral part of each days existence for him. Check-out in the razor-back, progress through various models up through the P-47D-28, bubble canopy and all, led eventually to familiarity with the Very Long Range P-47N. The 507th departed Dalhart in stages and at one point in time was stretched all across the Pacific. Eventually everything came together and combat became the order of the day on le Shima, a small chocolate drop-sized island with three runways and parking aprons and taxi ways everywhere. Take off with maximum loading from a 4500 foot coral strip ending with a 200 foot drop down to the sea never failed to really excite pilots of the P-47N units operating from Ie Shima.
Missions involved escort of B-2 5, B-2 4 and B-29 bombers as well as fighter sweeps to Japan. China and Korea. Although late arriving in the combat area the 463rd Fighter Squadron, 507th Fighter Group managed a respectable number of aircraft kills and made a definite contribution to the overall war effort. After seeing Joe Parker, Senior Republic test pilot, fail to make the take off under maximum load conditions in September 1945, all did realize that perhaps there was more than just skill riding in the cockpit.
An event of historical significance involved the arrival of the Japanese "Betty" bombers on Ie Shima, transporting the Peace Delegation enroute to Manila. The white painted bombers with the green cross signaled the end in one way, yet the beginning in another.
Released from active duty in 1946, Harry returned to Swift and Company in Greensboro, N.C., working for a period as bookkeeper. Later there was an assignment as Office Manager for a frozen food distributor pending return to active duty in early 1951.
Assignments in Texas, Alaska, Louisiana, Alabama, Iran, the Pentagon and Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley AFB, Va., followed. Retired in the grade of Colonel, June 1973, Harry temporarily settled in Tallahassee, Florida to pursue further education. Temporary status changed to permanent and as an alumnus of Florida State he is currently managing a homes association and engaging in occasional real estate sales. He was married to Katherine Haralson, a high school sweetheart, while in basic flight school at Courtland AAF, Alabama, June 12,1943.
There is one son, Ronald L. and two grandsons, Michael David and Scott Joseph.
|
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.
|
|
|