Julian Stockton Reems

Military
media-38422.jpeg UPL 38422 1st Lt Julian S reems, 2054N 78th, Seattle, Washington of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, in the cockpit of his Republic P-47 "Gelene," poses with a member of his ground crew at 8th Air Force Station F-357 in Duxford, England, 14 November 1944.

US Official Image, via fold 3 https://www.fold3.com/image/48254653

Object Number - UPL 38422 - 1st Lt Julian S reems, 2054N 78th, Seattle, Washington of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, in the cockpit of his Republic P-47...

Flight leader 83rd FS with 1.5 kills

Originally from Tacoma Washington Reems joined the US Army in 1942.

Surviving letters are addressed to his 'foster mother' in Washington state. First extant is dated November 6th 1942 from San Antonio Texas where he 'has been sitting for 3 weeks and will probably be 4 more' but has not yet started training. He has, however, received classification as a pilot. In December he is still waiting for training to start, training which he estimates will take 9 months.

By February 1943 Reems has almost finished his pre-flight training and later that month is posted to Primary Flying School at Corsicana Texas where his pilot training begins in earnest. In April he is still a long way from getting his wings- anticipating two more months in Basic followed by two months in Advanced Flying School. He has by this period gained his solo wings and is training in aerobatics. By August he is at Gunnery School In the Gulf of Mexico, anxious to get back to Moore Field and 'finish up my required flying'. All is well as, on the 30August 1943, Reems is commisssioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Corps.



Lt. Reems was posted on 29th April 1944 to 83rd Squadron 78th Fighter Group based at RAF Duxford in Cambridgeshire. The Squadron was equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt, marked by black and white checkerboard nose and already equipped with long range tanks which enabled them to provide cover for the bombing raids over Germany. He must have gone immediately into action because on 27 July he is awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to an Air Medal given earlier. USAAF fighter pilots were awarded the Air Medal for ten or more sorties or a 'single act of heroism'. Reems was to earn a total of six Oak Leaf Clusters as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Gelene
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron 83rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Lil Eva
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd 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"

Revisions

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Contributorfugari
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JCook Archives

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ContributorCarl
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Biography completed by historian Helen Millgate. Information sourced from correspondence files and articles held in an IWM research collection related to the acquisition of various items and ephemera belonging to Reems.

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ContributorAAM
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Drawn 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

Julian Stockton Reems: Gallery (1 items)