| |
|
P47 Pilots Biographies, Last Name Starting With "P"
|
|
|
Pilot Name
|
Biography Summary
|
|
Edward W. Popplewell
|
In February 1945, the squadron was withdrawn to re-equip with the P-47 Thunderbolts. The eight point fives and heavier bomb
capability and endurance were well suited to
our job, notwithstanding the high altitude
performance. Now, formidably armed, we
returned to the fray and I was kept busy until
near the end, completing some 250 combat
trips INCIDENTS Flew as escort to Lord
Louis Mountbatten who was then the
Supreme Commander in S.E.A.C. and
attended the Victory parade in Rangoon.
|
|
Joseph E. Potts
|
....born May 17, 1922 in Johnstown, Pa. Enlisted as an Army Aviation Cadet right after Pearl Harbor and trained in the Southeastern Training Command. PT-17 training at Decatur, Alabama,Basic at Greenwood, Mississippi, and
Advanced at Craig Field, Selma, Alabama, in
the class of 43-G. Then to Fort Myers,
Florida for P-47 training....
|
|
Harry K. Powell
|
Also escorted bombers,
cut rail lines and attacked enemy airfields. In
one day flew three missions against the airfield at Udine, Italy. Participated in six campaigns - Rome-Arno, Southern France,
Germany, Air Combat-Balkans, North
Appennines and Po Valley. Received the
Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal
with three Oak Leaf Clusters
|
|
Robert H. Powell
|
April found him aboard the "Avant Pasteur" England-bound for the
Mighty 8th Air Force. Joining the 352nd
Fighter Group at Bodney, he flew some 83
combat missions in Jugs and Mustangs (the
Group switched to P-51s in April, 1944),
where he ran up an unofficial score of six
destroyed, two probables, and seven damaged
(later changed in official records to 4-6-7),
including destruction of the first HE-177.
|
|
Robert W. Powell
|
He flew 158 combat missions that included close support, dive bombing attacks and cover for 4 major invasion operations, fighter sweeps on enemy shipping, strategic land targets and bomber escort missions. He was
rescued from a forced landing and two ditchings, one resulted in a night in the ocean.
|
|
Walter F. Pratt
|
He remained in the service and retired in
October 1967 as a Lt. Colonel after serving
over twenty-five years. During that period he
flew over 37 different types of military
aircraft, mostly fighters from the P-40
through the F-106 and is a member of the
MACH 2 Club (pilots who have flown twice
the speed of sound) and the Society of Air
Safety Investigators No. 165.
|
|
Clifford Price
|
One memorable mission as I pulled up
from a strafing run I saw something move
across the horizon. The 12 of us went down
to investigate and found 50 to 60 ME 262
jets taking off in pairs. 2 just off the ground
were shot down and the leader said "lets go
home". I was tail end charlie and trying to
catch up when a 262 channeled straight up
in front of me like I was standing still.
|
|
Earl M. Price
|
While on bombing mission
over Pilsen his P-47 was hit by the guns
ME-262, which was the first operational jet
fighter. It was believed to be the first plane
hit by a jet fighter in combat. The German
did not choose to remain and dog fight and
only minor damage was done to the P-47.
|
|
| |
Visit our other WWII Pilot Websites
P51Pilots.com
P51 Mustang Pilots Website
This page has been visited 3119100 times.
© Copyright 2000-2006 William Frederico, Logic Mountain, and its licensors. All Rights Reserved.
Unless specifically noted, all content, photos, stories, designs, and all other material on this website are copyright
William Frederico, Logic Mountain, and its licensors. You may not copy, reproduce, disseminate, create derivative works, or distribute
any of the material on this website without the express written consent of William Frederico and Logic Mountain.
DO NOT assume that any material on this website is in the public domain - most content from outside
sources was contributed by special permission of the authors. Contact us for licensing and permission information
regarding the copying or reproduction of ANYTHING on this website!
No anti-dusting agents were used in the creation of this website.
|
|