JOHNNY O. CROWELL ("JOCKO") born 30 August 1922 in Charlotte, N.C. His first flight was on his second birthday with his father, a barnstormer and air show pilot, who was later inducted into the OX-5 Aviation Hall of Fame.

Jocko was at the Academy of Aeronautics at LaGuardia Field in 1941 when an XP-47 made a forced landing and it was love at first sight. His dream became a fact when he was assigned to a P-47 R.T.U. after graduating in the Class of 44-F and eventually being assigned to the 390th Squadron of the 366th Fighter Group in Belgium.

His most noteworthy achievement was buzzing the mess tent with a full combat load aboard. Gen Quesada was having lunch with Col. H. N. Holt and ordered the pilot to serve as O.D. for thirty days.

V.E. Day came and he along with the rest of the junior pilots proceeded with the interesting occupation duty. After release from active duty he flew P-47's in the N.C.A.N.G. for a total of more than 700 hours in the Jug. The unit was called to active duty in 1950. In Korea he was shot down by antiaircraft while 8trafing a train.

He remained on active duty after Korea serving in TAC with the exceptions of one year tours in A.D.C. and S.A.C.

Six years in TAC were served as squadron commander. While in SAC he served as operations officer in the 91st Squadron which had 25 modified RF-84K's which contained black boxes, a bent horizontal stabilizer and a retractable hook on the nose that would hook up with a trapeze on the B-36. After hook-up the engine was shut down and the '84-K would be elevated partially into the B-36, where the pilot would get out and ride with the crew to the target area where the process would be reversed.

Crowell retired from the U.S.A.F. in October, 1966 as Lt. Col. and returned to his home town of Charlotte, N.C. As owner operator of Crowell Aero Service, he patrolled power lines, flew aerial banners gratis for conservative politicians and flew a 5' x 7' American flag behind a J-3 Cub over N.C. and S.C. during the protest events of Vietnam.

He married his war-time sweetheart, Pat, and they have two children, Terry and Larry. He flew a total of 114 combat missions and received the D.F.C., Purple Heart and Air Medal with 2 clusters.

He has been a member of the Quiet Birdmen since 1957. Arthritis forced his retirement from flying in 1972. Crowell says flying the P-47 was his greatest achievement. I