media-377303.jpg FRE 48 Major James A. Goodson, of the 4th Fighter Group, based at Debden, points out the thirtieth 'kill' recorded on the side of his P-51 Mustang to Lt. Ralph Hofer. Passed for publication 3 June 1944. Printed caption attached to print: 'By destroying three German training-planes on the ground recently, Lieut. Ralph Hofer, of Salem, Mo., ties Major James Goodson, of 23, Sultan Street, Toronto, Canada for the leading ground score in ETO. Both Hofer and Goodson have destroyed fifteen Nazi planes on the ground and fifteen in the air - the highest score of any American fighter pilots now on combat duty in this theatre. Both are members of a Mustang Group commanded by Col. Donald Blakeslee, of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, with which Capt. Don S. Gentile, of Piqua, Ohio, amassed his score of twenty three 'kills' in the air and seven on the ground.' Roger Freeman Collection

Roger Freeman Photo.