Col. John J. Fischer
The following information was submitted by Eleanor Fischer Quigley (daughter):
My father, Col. John J. Fischer, USAF/Ret., was a JUG pilot. I am writing to advise you of his death on April 20, 2008. He was 94 years old. I'm attaching a copy of his obituary, the eulogy written and delivered at his funeral by his son, William F. Fischer, PhD, and two pictures.
Obituary John J. (Jack) Fischer POW and Fighter Pilot
Jack Fischer succumbed to complications of cancer at his home in Rockville Centre, NY on April 20. He was 94 years old.
While escorting bombers in his P-47 Thunderbolt, he was wounded and shot down near Frankfurt in early 1944. Bailing out of his burning, spinning plane, he spent 15 months in Stalag Luft 1 where he used his legal training to defend fellow POWs brought up on spurious charges by the Nazis.
Liberated by the Russians, he borrowed a plane, flew to Belgium, and asked Eleanor Donohue, a Red Cross social worker, to marry him. He toured the U.S. to demonstrate the ingenuity of newly discharged, largely unemployed former POWs and even played a violin made of bed slats on Arthur Godfreys radio show.
Decorated for valor, Jack went on to fly reconnaissance missions during the Korean conflict and to found an orphanage with a Catholic priest. He had assignments at the Pentagon and in Paris, France, where he directed plans and policy at NATOs predecessor, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1961.
Colonel Fischer was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal for his service in World War II. He was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in Korea, as well as the Bronze Star Medal and two Air Medals.
Born in the Bronx in 1914, Jack was the son of William Francis and Katherine (Towey) Fischer. He was educated at St. Athanasius School (1927), Fordham Prep (1932), College (1935), and Law School (1939). He also graduated from the National War College (1957).
In 1961 he joined Fischer Brothers, a workmens compensation law firm in NYC and retired for a second time in 1984. He was a long-time activist with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the first Eucharistic minister at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. He rallied his friends, neighbors, and his physician son and son-in-law to collect medicines and he and his wife transported seven medicine-filled suitcases to the Dominican Republic in 1987.
As far back as anyone can remember Jack Fischer loved to sing. He had a gift for harmony, infectious spontaneity, and robust enthusiasm. He was a founding member of the Resurrection Choir of St. Agnes Cathedral and sang at funeral Masses for over 20 years.
A life-long birdwatcher and member of the Audubon Society, Jack enchanted audiences, particularly young ones, with his expert birdcalls and conversations with birds. He was active with the P-47 Thunderbolt Association, the Long Island Ex- Prisoners of War, 41-G, his pilot training group, and the Military Officers Club of Long Island (MOCLI).
Happily married for over 60 years and deeply in love with his wife Eleanor who died in 2006, he was known to say, The closest thing to sainthood is motherhood.
He is survived by his children Eleanor Quigley (Bob) of Alexandria, VA, Kathryn Davis (Sanders, MD) and John, Jr., of Mendham, NJ, William, PhD, (Maureen) of Framingham, MA, Thomas, PhD, (Susan, PhD) of Briarcliff Manor, NY, and Mary (Anni Campbell) of NYC, by 15 grandchildren, by his sisters Helen of Brooklyn, and Claire Adiletta of Thompson, CT, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sons, Francis, in 1959 and Joseph, MD, in 2002, his sisters, Mary Bell, Katherine Moseley Davis, Joan Popylisen, and Patricia Weber, and his brother, William.
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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