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Donald H. Chaplin
DONALD H. CHAPLIN
(CHAPPY), born on 13 November 1922,
raised mostly in Melrose, Mass. and graduated
from Melrose High School - Class of
1940. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in
November 1942 and took Basic Training on
the Atlantic City, NJ boardwalk in February
1943. Math and Science studies followed at
CTD, College Training Detachment, at Dickinson
College, Carlisle, Pa. Maxwell AAF was
his Pre-Flight assignment with Flight training
assignments in PT-17's, BT-13's and
T-6's at McBride, Mo., Malden, Mo. and
finally graduation with Class 44B at Spence
Field, Moultrie, Ga. He took Transition
training in P-40's at Tifton, Ga. and Pinellas
AAF Fla. Combat assignment followed when
he joined the 27th Fighter Group, 523rd
Fighter Squadron (P-47C and D Models) on
Corsica in August 1944. Some sixteen truck,
tank and train busting missions and two
squadron moves later he was "shot down"
while on an Armed Recce mission in the
French Belfort Gap area on 12 September
1944. He left the burning "JUG" and
earned his Irving Air Chute Co. "Caterpillar"
club membership ending up in the 45th
General Hospital in Naples, Italy for several
months. He was separated from service in
December 1945 and spent six years in the
automobile business until recalled to active
duty in 1951. His final active duty assignment
was flying C-130 Hercules in Vietnam
and as a C-130 Forward Air Controller
"Blind Bat" over Laos every other night.
USAF retirement in September 1969 lasted
about 90 days when he hired on as a DC-3
Flight Inspection Pilot with the Federal Aviation
Administration. Presently assigned to
the Atlantic City Flight Inspection Field
Office as an Aircraft Commander and Flight
Inspection Pilot he enjoys flying the AC-21
Jet Commander flight checking navigational
aids over the thirteen northeast states. A
Daedalian since 1963, father of two daughters
and one son; grandfather to two boys, he
fully intends to "Keep on Flying" just as
long as the Flight Surgeon continues to sign
his First Class Medical Certificate.
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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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