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John E. Connor
JOHN E. "JACK" CONNOR, born
5 March, 1920, Detroit, Michigan, raised in
Shorewood, Wisconsin. Led by his heros
Lindbergh, Turner and Doolittle into soloing
in 1939 at age 19.
1940 became charter member, Wisconsin
National Guard, 126th Observation Squadron as parachute rigger. Later aerial gunner,
in DB-7s (British version of A-20) flying
anti-sub patrol over Atlantic. Became Aviation Cadet, graduating class 42-K, 13 December 1942, Moore Field, Mission, Texas.
First assignment, P-40 RTU Dale Mabrey
Field, Tallahassee, Florida. Became instructor,
checked a classmate out in exchange for
30 minute cockpit briefing in the P-47.
took off with climb and approach speeds
written on his hand. Two months later two
new squadrons of "Jugs'" were formed at
Perry Air Field, Florida and being an experienced Jug pilot with 11/2 hours in the bird he became an instructor.
Joined the newly activated 404th FTR BM Grp, 508th Squadron, Myrtle Beach Army
Air Field. Transitioned in P-39s. Arrived at
Royal Air Force grass strip 419, North of
Christchurch, England, March 1944 and
back in P-47s. Full swing into pre-invasion
bombardment. 3 missions on "D" Day over
Omaha Beach Head. Flying out of Normandy
from 5 July. Bombed out of his P-47 in an
apple orchard North of St Lo on 24 July by
heavies from 8th Air Force on a short fall
bombing for the breakout attempt from the
Peninsula. Covered Patton's armored across
France into Belgium in time to get into the
Battle of the Bulge. His Group was cited
twice by King for defense of Belgium. He
shot down one FW-190 in that battle.
Returning to ZI in 1945 to instruction,
staff work and then a quick checkout in jets
and on to Korea as Chief of Operations for
the 8th FTR BM Wing at Suwon, (K-13),
flying F-80s on bomber missions to North
Korea. Back to Japan to the 35th FTR
INTCP Wing, Johnson AB in Japan Defense
Forces, Air University at Maxwell AFB and a
3 year tour at HQTAC Langley AFB, Va. and
back to France for three more years with
High Flight at Chateauroux.
Retired from Dyess AFB, Texas in 1964
with 24 years service. Along the way he
became a Lt Col, Command Pilot. A warded
the Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, 15 Air Medals, Belgium Fourragere, two Air Force Commendation Medals, 9 Battle
Stars for major combat campaigns, 2 Presidential Unit Citations plus credit for shooting down FW-190. 37 decorations and 47 countries in 24 years service.
Mr. Connor is presently bank Property Officer for First National Bank of Ablilene, Texas. Elder First Presbyterian Church of Abilene. Presdient-Elect of Southwest Rotary Club. Life Member, WWII P-47 Fighter Pilots Assoc. He attended Purdue University, University of Southern California and Air University Maxwell AFB, Ala.
He married Harriet Kellom of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin in 1942 and they have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. Currently living in Abilene, Tex.
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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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