William J Hovde

Military
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" Hovde. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hovde's A/C. Richard Williams.' media-400862.jpg 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" Hovde. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hovde's A/C. Richard Williams.' Roger Freeman Collection

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

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Units served with

Aircraft

42-8368

  • 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).'

43-6928

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Ole II
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 343rd Fighter Squadron 358th Fighter Squadron 38th Fighter Squadron

44-73108

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Red Dog XII Ole V
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron 358th Fighter Squadron
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" Hovde. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hovde's A/C. Richard Williams.'

44-73155

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Ole VI
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

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.   

Born

San Antonio, Texas

Other

End Tour of Duty (ETD) (1)

Other

End Tour of Duty (ETD) (2)

Other

Promoted

Other

Reassigned

Revisions

Date
ContributorLi'l Abner
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Information taken on the Internet

Date
ContributorLi'l Abner
ChangesChanges to awards
Sources

Information taken from the Internet

Date
ContributorPyker
ChangesChanges to nickname, highest rank, role, place associations and media associations
Sources

Updated entry to reflect Maj Hovde's service.

Date
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

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

William J Hovde: Gallery (2 items)