Harry F. Hunter
HARRY F. HUNTER, born March
16, 1921 in Eau Claire, Pennsylvania.
Attended Eau Claire Public Schools and University of Pittsburgh.
Appointed Aviation Cadet, graduated from
Moore Field, Texas, Class 42I. He was one of
the original members 351st Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group. P-40's Norfolk, Virginia,
P-47's Millville, New Jersey. He
went to England in June, 1943.
After 51 missions, 1 EA destroyed and one
probable, he was shot down by ground fire
while strafing the marshalling yards and
airfield at Amiens, France.
He evaded for several weeks and then was
captured and declared a spy. He was sent to
Buchenwald Concentration Camp. After
about 4 months he was rescued by the
Luftwaffe and taken to Stalag III, then to
Neurenburg and Mooseburg. He was liberated April 29, 1945.
Back to Jugs and F-80's at Williams AFB,
Arizona. Short tour at Randolph AFB opening the post war Cadet program.
To Selfredge AFB, Michigan, 56th Fighter
Group. There he flew one of the F-80's in the
first USAF Trans Atlantic Jet Flight, led by
Dave Schilling.
He did a tour with 4th Fighter Wing in
Korea, then to Tyndall AFB, Florida for
three years. While there he attended Florida
State University. Back to Selfridge then four
years in Japan, this time accompanied. After
Japan he was sent to Wright Patterson AFB,
Ohio. Worked in A/C Maintenance Systems
Computer Field.
He went to Vietnam as C7 A Squadron
Commander. Flew about 600 hours there.
Returned to Wright Patterson and retired
January 1, 1970.
Married Clara E. "Franky" Franks in the
Selfridge AFB Chapel April 3, 1948. No
children. Still live near Wright Patterson.
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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