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Helen M. Schaefer
HELEN M. SCHAEFER, born May
15, 1915 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Started
employment in 1937 with the Federal
Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Cincinnati
branch. In 1940 started taking courses in
aviation. Enrolled in Civilian Pilot Training
(C-T) program sponsored by the U.S. government. Ten scholarships were issued in this program but only one female was eligible in
the top ten. Helen came in second with a
grade of 98 and therefore won a scholarship
which entitled her to free flying lessons and
a private's pilot license when the flight
course was successfully completed.
She was accepted into WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot's) program on
Feb. 20, 1943 and was in the first class to start
military flying training at Avenger Field,
Sweetwater, TX. The only all girl military
flying training field during World War II.
Received primary, basic and advanced training at Sweetwater and after graduation was transferred to 5th Ferry Group, Love Field,Dallas, TX.
During her 16 months stationed in Dallas
she flew 15 different types of aircraft. Took
her pursuit training at Brownsville, TX. A
P47 was the first fighter type aircraft she
flew in Brownsville. That first flight she will
well remember, as on that first flight in a beat
up airplane she could only get one wheel up.
The flight only lasted 20 minutes. As soon as
she was able to get both wheels down she went
back to the field and landed.
After deactivation of the WASP she
returned to work for the Federal Reserve in
Cincinnati. In 1947 she moved to California
and continued her employment with the
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In
1949 accepted an Air Force Reserve Commission. Spent most of her reserve time with the 349th Troop Carrier Wing and 349th
Fighter Wing. Retired from the Federal Reserve Banking System after 23 years in
1960. Retired from the Air Force Reserve as
a Lt. Colonel after 25 years service. In 1960
started with the San Bruno Police Department in California as a police dispatcher. Retired from there in 1977 after 17 years service.
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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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