Preston Piper
MilitaryImage stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication [illegible] Nov 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘292906.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO THE HEROIC FLYERS OF THE EIGHTH AIR FORCE. So many American flyers of the Eighth Air Force here achieved many high distinctions that the presentation of medals and awards has become a "big business" in England. One of them is Lt Col Preston Piper, 27 year old Fortress pilot and Deputy Group Commander of Santa Ana, California. Col Piper, a filing station attendant and department store clark in civilian life, became a fighter pilot three years ago, and was transferred to Forts about a year and a half ago. Leader on numerous highly successful missions against the Nazi. Col Piper has already been presented the Air Medal and the Soldiers medal. US Pool/SG/Hel. Keystone. Photo shows: Col Piper (left) back from the mission, reports to an intelligence officer, 1/Lt John Murray, 354-91st Street, Brooklyn, New York, at the interrogation that follows all operational missions. Lt Murray makes his report to the awards officer 1/Lt Adelbert Wagner, of Cleveland, Ohio.' Roger Freeman Collection
Improved legibility of caption and disassociated record for John Murray who was a sergeant with 493rd Bomb Group.
More than anything, he loved to fly. In high school in Santa Ana, he was part of a club that built a glider plane. I have home movies he made flying over the orange groves in Santa Ana, California in the mid-1930's. Shot down 24 August 1943 in B-17 #42-30187 'Lulu Belle'. Plane ditched in Channel. Returned to base.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 479th Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group Headquarters (479th Fighter Group) Headquarters (56th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-022353
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot / Commander
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Crashed |
Epfenbach, Germany | 12 May 1944 | Crashed in P-47 #42-74750 |
Other Prisoner of War |
68-100 Zagan, Poland | 12 May 1944 - 7 June 1945 | Stalag VIIA |
Died |
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, USA | 16 October 1992 | |
Other Returned (RTD) |
North Sea | 24 August 1943 | |
Born |
Salt Lake City, UT, USA |
Revisions
Contributed courtesy of the 385th BG Association. https://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/May-1978_OCR_Optimize.pdf
Information from duplicate record amalgamated into this one. Sources for extra information: Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 4805 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list
Also, POW record information from http://www.ww2pow.info/index.php?page=directory&rec=103796
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 961 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database