Harold Graham Shook

Military
media-44933.jpeg UPL 44933 Major Hal Shook CO 506th FS 404th FG J Cook photo collection and archives

JCook Photo Collection & Archives

Object Number - UPL 44933 - Major Hal Shook CO 506th FS 404th FG

Hal began to realize his childhood dream of flying when, on his 21st birthday, he entered flight training for the Army Air Corp. He graduated just days after Pearl Harbor and remained in the states as an instructor pilot, further sharpening his flying skills. He was a career Air Force pilot and commander. As the D-Day invasion neared, he was offered a squadron commander position and promoted to major while still only 23 years of age. He participated in three different combat theatres including leading a squadron of P-47's for 3 missions during the D-Day invasion and 3 more the following day. He finished his USAF career leading an Air Division during the Vietnam War.



In the WWII book Leap Off he was quoted as being "The best pilot in any man's air force." While commanding a combat squadron at such an early age, he learned and applied many valuable lessons which served him well over the balance of his Air Force career as well the civilian career to follow.



Flew a P-47D-22 name: "RAE"

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Rae
  • Unit: 404th Fighter Group 506th Fighter Squadron

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Brétigny-sur-Orge

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Oregon, USA 25 April 1920

Enlisted

San Francisco, CA, USA 26 April 1941

Died

Cary, NC, USA 16 January 2017

Revisions

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JCook Photo Collection & Archives

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Dave
Carolinas Aviation Museum

Harold Graham Shook: Gallery (1 items)