H. Phillip Causer
H. PHILLIP CAUSER, born 4/11/16 near Boston.
N.U. (M.E.) and R.I. School
of Design. Overriding desire, to fly. First
lesson, age 15. Built first Airplane, 17.
Turned away by R.C.A.F., 1940, neutrality
ruling. With 100 hrs. logged in a "Fleet,"
look flight-test for Eagle Squadron. Had one
foot on the boat when received orders, report
to Army Air Corps. A frustrating leave then
S.E. Trng. Com. Graduated, Spence Fld. Due
to previous time, assigned to instructors
school, Maxwell. Then Jackson, Miss., Sup.
Flt. Trng. instructing non-English speaking
Dutch Cadets.
Saw his big chance to get out of the Trng.
Com. when asked to put on aerobatic demo
for graduating class. His finale, low pass over
field, forcing band to bite dirt on apron,
followed by slow-roll over hangers, earned
him his transfer, threat of court martial, and
demand he turn in his "Good Conduct Medal."
Foolishly requested Fighter OTU. Naturally,
got B-17's. Earned 1st pilots seat,
wangled ride to Washington, where he succeeded
talking A.F. Personnel, Pentagon into
transfer to Westover. On arrival, found nothing
but B-24's. P-47 OTUs had been moved to
Bradley. Between being checked out in the
big hairy bird and getting all shots for Pacific,
visited 1st A.F. Hq., and can you believe,
Com. Gen. arranged transfer to Bradley Fld.
Earnd his P-47's. ETO assignment, 360th Sq.,
356th Gp. Martlesham. 12 Aug. 44, took on
Aerodrome near Paris, alone, was shot down
by ground-fire, evaded capture, fought with
Maquis bushwhacking German troops, blowing bridges, liberating a few towns, and a lot
of Martels brandy. Back in England, early
Sept., lectured on Escape & Evasion before
state-side assignment, Craig Fld. trng. French
Officer Cadets. Says his French "Gongs"
impressed them far more than his flying. But
he was awarded French pilots wings. Graduated from School of A/C Maint. Engr'g.,
Chanute, and in late "45" was discharged.
U.S.A.F. Res., Flt. Com. 89th Ftr. Bmr.
Gp., and 50th Ftr. Int., Otis Fld., F-84's and
F-86's.
Post war activities: aviation, engineering,
founded Phillips Mfg. (plastics), recently
sold. Has taken over family engineering firm,
Est. 1925. Started skiers airlift, Boston to
Vermont, architect for English pub, restaurant,
shopping complex, published "M.I.A.,"
flies for business and pleasure.
Married Eleanor Bates 1942, two daughters,
Pamela 36, and Alison 25.
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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