Reade Franklin Tilley | American Air Museum

Reade Franklin Tilley II

Military

media-17109.jpeg UPL 17109 "Officers of the USAAF formerly members of the British Eagle Squadrons, have returned form the European front. they are in Washington today where they told their experience in aerial combat against the Nazis. The Eagle Squadrons were composed of American citizens who joined the British RAF and were organized into all American fighter squadrons. These were disbanded following the entry of the US into the war and the American personnel for the most part were transferred to our air forces. As such they continued in combat duty and have taken part in many of the successful actions against the enemy."
L-R: Carroll W McColpin, Sam Alfred Mauriello, William J Daley, Reade F Tilley

www. fold3.com

Object Number - UPL 17109 - "Officers of the USAAF formerly members of the British Eagle Squadrons, have returned form the European front. they are in Washington today where...

Enlisted RCAF in Hamilton, 10-Jun-40. Trained at No.1 ITS, No.2 EFTS & No.2 SFTS, Uplands

Graduating 25-Jan-41, Commissioned Aug-41.

Joined No.121 "Eagle" Squadron in May-42, Posted to No.601 Squadron in Apr-42.

Arrived in Malta on 20-Apr-42 via carrier USS Wasp, soon afterwards was posted to No. 126 Squadron. Left Malta on 16-Aug-42.

Transferred to the USAAF on 12-Oct-42 and served with 8th AF Fighter Command

Special assistant to General Curtiss Le May at SAC

Retired with the rank of Colonel.

Tilley's jacket and Mae West worn while a member of No 121 Eagle Squadron are on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force, Dayton Ohio.

Connections

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Units served with

No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Type Category: Fighter

VIII Fighter Command

Unit Hierarchy: Command
Air Force: Eighth Air Force

Places

Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder stands on the shoulders of Pilot Officer Donald William McLeod to reach out for an American flag flying from a flag pole. A group of American airmen look on. They wear the insignia of the RAF Eagle Squadrons, the forerunners of the squadrons of the 4th Fighter Group. Passed for publication on 27 November 1941. Printed caption on reverse: 'Pilot Officer Kenneth Le Roy Holder from Buena Park, California, stands on the shoulders of Pilot Officer Donald William McLeod from

Biggin Hill

Site type: Airfield

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Born	Clearwater, Florida	15 March 1918
Died		28 March 2001
Buried	Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park Clearwater, Pinellas County, FL		Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

Revisions

Date8 Dec 2021 21:02:46

ContributorAl_Skiff

Changes

Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/312126107
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67100160/reade-franklin-tilley

Date28 Nov 2019 12:57:52

ContributorEmily

Changes

Sources

NMUSAF, Early Wars exhibit: Eagle Squadrons

Date26 Feb 2016 22:42:49

ContributorAl_Skiff

Changes

Sources

EAGLES of the RAF - The World War II Eagle Squadrons by Phillip D Caine.
http://acesofww2.com/Canada/aces/tilley.htm
Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and and Commonwealth Forces of WWII Vol I By
Christopher Shores, Clive Williams

Date4 Nov 2015 12:27:37

ContributorAl_Skiff

Changes

Sources

Date27 Sep 2014 18:22:16

ContributorAAM

Changes

Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / newspaper obituary