UPL 39590
IMAGE
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An Ace credited with downing 11 enemy aircraft, Major Rockford V. Gray served as the first squadron commander of the 369th Fighter Squadron. From Dallas, TX, "Rocky" flew with the 359th FG from March 1943 through October 1943, transferred to HQ, and then to the 365th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, on 19 February 1944. Major Gray was KIA while flying with the 365th FG.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![Lieutenant Colonel Louis Houck of the 365th Fighter Group wearing a flying helmet with devil horns in the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Screamin' Weemie". Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN FLYER WEARS "DEVIL'S HELMET" Lieutenant Colonel Louis Houck, 27, commander of a Ninth US Air Force fighter group, waves for contact after donning his "devil's helmet" for a mission against the Nazis. The flyer calls his plane "Screaming' Weemie". Keys](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456675.jpg.webp?itok=5tRnsRWh)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 365th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (365th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-427720
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Locations
- Site type: Airfield
Revisions
Date:
ContributorJanet Fogg
ChangesCreated entry with collection, caption, unit associations, person associations and place associations
Sources
Photo courtesy Paul D. Bruns.
Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.
Posted by Janet Fogg, 359th Fighter Group Historian.