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Leonard Andrew Charpentier, MD
LEONARD ANDREW CHARPENTIER, M.D., born on October 21,1920 at Newark, N.J., the second of six
children. He graduated from high school in
Keyport, N.J. and became a newspaper
reporter. In 1939 he started pre-medical
schooling at Springfield College in Massachusetts, dropping out in early 1942 after the debacle at Pearl Harbor to enlist as an Aviation Cadet.
He received his wings and commission at
Selma, Alabama in the class of 43-C and went
on to fighter O.T.U. in the 304th Fighter
Squadron, 3rd Air Force, Pinellas AFB in
Florida. He flew P-40's and P-51's as an
instructor until June, 1944 when he was
ordered to the Mediterranean Theatre with
the 85th, then the 86th, Fighter Squadrons
of the 79th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force.
Here he began his love affair with the JUG.
Charpentier flew 29 missions, over northern Italy,and southern France, against bridges, railroads, artillery, supply routes and
enemy armour as well as escort missions with
B-25's and B-26's. On August 29. 1944.
while strafing an armoured column near
Valence. France. Charpentier was shot down
by ground fire. He underwent major surgery
by German doctors who then abandoned the
field hospital several days later. Cared for by
French patriots until the position was taken
by American ground forces he was then
returned to Naples and from there was transferred to the Zone of the Interior in November 1944. He was awarded the Purple
Heart. DFC and Air Medal.
When he was discharged as a Captain in
March1945 Charpentier resumed his pre-medical schooling. and entered Boston University School of Medicine in 1948. After
graduating with an M.D. he interned in
Miami, Florida. and completed his residency
in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Galveston, Texas in 1956.
Dr. Charpentier is at present in the practice of his specialty in Galveston. Texas. And is Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals. He married Gwendolyn Lee Stratton in 1954 and is the father of two children, Lawrence and Alicia.
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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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