Richard Harlan Chilcott
RICHARD HARLAN CHILCOTT, born 22 Feb. 1925 in rural Nebraska. Became a student pilot at age six,
with first ride in a flying machine - a
barnstorming W.W.I Jenny. Moved to San
Jose, Calif. in 1937 and got flying lesson #2
in a Ford Tri-motor at age 13. Suffered on
through other schooling and got lesson # 3 in
a J-3 cub at age 15. Finally got down to
serious flight training in A/C class 44A.
A brief stint as an instructor at Marana,
Arizona, P-47 training at Baton Rouge, La.,
then a tour of France in a 6 x 6 looking for the
48th Ftr. Grp. Found them in Cambrai just
in time to get a little acquainted and moved to
St. Trond, Belgium, the winter and the
"Bulge" there, then on to Duren, Kassell,
Illesheim and left there high and dry at war's
end. Back in the states, a year as an apprentice carpenter and a weekend warrior getting
time in AT-6's and P-51 's at Hamilton Fld. in
San Rafael. Take home pay as an apprentice
carpenter didn't cover other airplane
expenses, so tried crop-dusting in 1947 to fly
and eat. Better than nothing, but took off
quick for active duty during Korean war in
1951. Caught in the aircraft controller trap
for 18 months and then back to crop-dusting.
As of this writing, still churning up the air in the San Joaquin Valley. Went through the
engines of the AT-9, AT-6, BT-13 and currently
starting in on the C.47's 1200 horse
Wright.
Tried marriage for 26 years; no children or
other gain, so that's all for that.
Future plans and outlook: work, work and
be merry and someday be heard-of.
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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