Boyd Wemark Sorenson

Military

Boyd Sorenson studied at Pipestone High School and enlisted in the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force). Transferred from RCAF to U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 as a fighter pilot. Assigned to the 78th Fighter group / 83rd Fighter Squadron. Flew 89 missions in the European Theater in WWII. Shared with Lt Harold J. Morris the destruction in flight of a German Fw190 fighter on a bomber escort mission to Metz on 25 April 1944. Boyd Sorenson flew 72 missions in the USAF during the Korean War. Served with the Army Aviation, 5th Regimental Combat Company. Ended his military career with the rank of Captain.

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron 82nd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18085172 and O-728708
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Thrupny Bit
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron
Lt. Harding R. Zumwalt and crew in front of his Republic P-47D-5-RE Thunderbolt (s/n 42-8524)
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 363rd Fighter Group 381st Fighter Squadron

Missions

Places

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Crashed

20 October 1943 20 October 1943 accident in P- 47 41-6619 on local training flight out of Atcham.

Born

South Dakota, United States the son of Magnus and Nellie Sorenson
Sweet Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota, United States

Enlisted

in the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force)

Other

Transferred

England to the US Army Air Forces

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia ;
- Unit roster on page 134 in 'Eagles of Duxford' book by Fry;
- Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p. 348

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

National WWII Registry
US 1940 Census

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list