JOHN P. BRYANT born in Troy, Alabama April 29, 1921. Though at the time residing in California where I joined the Air Force, I returned to the South and attended University of South, commonly known as Sewanee, Sewanee, Tennessee. I had flown before World War II, made my solo flight in Jacksonville, Florida in 1940, Lawrey Younge,lnstructor (Com'l License #77). I attended pre-flight at Kelly on the Hill, and in sequence Primary, Basic and Advanced at Coleman, Randolph and Kelly Field. After graduation from Kelly I was assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron which was stationed at Newark, New Jersey. From Newark the 62nd was transferred to Bradley Field, Winsolock, Connecticut. I left with 56th for the ETO January, 1943 and wall stationed at Kingscliff, Horsham St. Faith, Halesworth and Boxtead. My most memorable experience in combat was November 1943 when the 56th Fighters destroyed twenty-six German Aircraft over Germany with loss of one plane - Byron Morrell. I remember clearly his parting remarks over the radio before he bailed out. After this tremendous fight I claimed a Messerschmitt 110 destroyed. As my camera was not working I would have lost this confirmation though the aircraft blew up in the air if it had not been for Bud Mahurin who saw the entire incident - page 39 "Thunderbolt at War." I flew 78 missions and am credited with two aircraft destroyed, one damaged, and received the DFC with 1 Oakleaf Cluster, 2 Air Medals with 3 Oakleaf Clusters and Presidential Unit Citation. I now reside in Covina, California where I have been a General Motors, Honda-International dealer since 1955. My son is Lt. Commander in Navy Submarines, Annapolis Class of '71. The only excitement that I can stand at this Time is Big Game Hunting and have made five Safaris to Africa and will do so as long as I'm Physically able.