William J Hovde
Military
There is a major problem in associating Maj. Hovde's series of "Ole" named P-51s as two different aircraft appear to have been named Ole VI. More illustrations to be added later.
Object Number - FRE 2943 - A P-51 Mustang (YF-L, serial number 44-73155) nicknamed "Ole VI" of the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group flown by Major William J "Billy"...
10.50 + 1 in Korea
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Ole
![P-51 Mustang of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, (CY-9, serial number 43-6928) taxi accident, 13 April 1945.
Official caption on image: '(GAD-629-3-55)(13-4-45)(#43-6528 [ammended to read 43-6928]- Taxi Accident)(Rest).'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377373.jpg.webp?itok=Y7jT2JJU)
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Ole II
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 343rd Fighter Squadron 358th Fighter Squadron 38th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Red Dog XII Ole V
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron 358th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Ole VI
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
Places
![P-51 Mustangs of the 355th Fighter Group break formation, ready for landing, over the ground support vehicles and control tower of Steeple Morden Airfield. Image signed on reverse with the approval of station censor. Handwritten caption on reverse: '355 FG Steeple Morden, Control Tower, read crew + P41 [sic] group peeling off for landing.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377141.jpg.webp?itok=zxxvSLfB)
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
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Other Distinguished Service Cross |
5 December 1944 | Distinguished Service Cross Citation reads: For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy, 5 December 1944. On this date, while acting as Group Leader on a bomber-escort mission Major Hovde directed an attack by his Group on superior numbers of enemy aircraft. Despite the fact that his aircraft developed mechanical difficulties and his fuel reserve was critically short, he relentlessly pursued the enemy, personally destroying five of them and sharing in the destruction of a sixth. The outstanding heroism and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Major Hovde on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States. | |
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Born |
San Antonio, Texas | ||
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Other End Tour of Duty (ETD) (1) |
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Other End Tour of Duty (ETD) (2) |
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Other Promoted |
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Other Reassigned |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Fighter Aces of the U. S. A., Mustang Aces of the Eighth Air Force and Aces and Wingmen II / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list
