James R. Chapman
JAMES R. CHAPMAN, born March
24, 1925 in Atlanta, Georgia. Graduated
from Atlanta Tech High School in January of
1943 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on
February 1, 1943. After graduating from
Turner Field in August, 1944 as a twin
engine pilot, went on to B-17 transition at
Sebring, Florida and Replacement Training
at Gulfport Field Mississippi. Chapman was
assigned to the 351st Bomb Group, 508th
Bomb Squadron where he flew 10 missions
over Germany and was escorted several times
by P47's which held the ME262's at bay.
Chapman's B-17 was struck by enemy anti-
aircraft several times and on one occasion
had to drop out of formation and return
alone, but all crew members finished their
missions without injury. 1st Lt. Chapman
was released from active duty in November of
1945 and joined the Georgia Air National
Guard Unit in January, 1947 and checked
out in P-47's where he flew with the 54th
Fighter Wing, Georgia Air National Guard
until June, 1949, at which time he graduated
as a Mechanical Engineer at Georgia
Tech and went to work for Reynolds Aluminum
Company. He later worked with the
Milprint Division of Phillip Morris Tobacco
Company and the Mead Packaging Division
at the Mead Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia.
While stationed with 20th Fighter Group
at Kingscliff (England), flew a 55 second
fighter 360 degree approach in a B-17 used
for towing sleeve targets and collected a tidy
sum in wagers from P-51 jockeys.
During career with Georgia Air National
Guard, had two dead stick landings in the
P-47. One due to supercharger run-away and
explosion; the other due to rupture of carburetor with resultant fire.
Chapman currently resides on Lookout
Mountain, near Ft. Payne, Alabama, with his
wife Betty, his bride of July, 1945. The
Chapmans have three children and four
grandchildren.
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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