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John Abbotts
JOHN ABBOTTS, born on October 22,1922 in Trenton, New Jersey, graduated from Princeton University in 1948. In spite of having worn glasses all his life for an eye defect and a still uncontrollable fear of height, he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in September 1942 and fooled every eye doctor and psychiatrist thereafter, graduating in the class of 44-F at Aloe Field, Victoria, Texas.
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.
John flew his first combat mission on April 21, 1945 (the Group's last) and, ingloriously, had to abort - the wheels wouldn't retract.
After service with the Occupation Air Force in a number of assignments, he was released as a First Lieutenant and returned to his pre-law studies at
Princeton and subsequent matriculation to Rutgers Law School. One month before graduation, his New Jersey Air Guard unit was called up for the
Korean war and he flew 100 ground support missions in the Mosquito Squadron flying unarmed T -6's euphemistically designated as F-54 for morale purposes. For surviving this onerous duty he was awarded the Air Medal with cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross, but promotions were reserved only for non-combat personnel.
After return to the US, he commenced the general practice of law as a partner with his father, William Abbotts, who died on June 28,1973 after
over 60 years at the Bar. The firm name of Abbotts and Abbotts, Esquires continues in his memory. John continued in the Reserve in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at
McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. In this non-hazardous assignment, promotions came quickly and easily pursuant to Air Force tradition and he
retired as a Lt Colonel in May 1972. He became a member of the P-47 Pilots Association at one of its earlier meetings in New York City.
John's greatest achievement came on September 23, 1972 when he married his beautiful wife, Jackie Krempeke. She is now his partner in business as
well. He has three sons by a former marriage, John Jr., Roger and Bruce.
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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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