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Pilots of the 351FS, 353FG pose in front of a Republic P-47 at an airbase in England. Sept 44.
Standing L-R: Lt Strobell, Lt Biddy, Lt Hungate, Lt Tumlin, Lt Milligan, Lt Toppel, Lt Thistlethwaite, Lt Weaver, Lt Perpente, Capt Leatherman, Lt Hunter, Lt Stump, Lt Stanley, Lt Edwards, Lt King, Capt Lefebre.
Kneeling L-R: Lt Frank, Lt Trudeau, Lt Mincik, Lt Maguire, Lt Terzian, Major Christian, Capt Emory, Lt Field, Lt Ahles, Capt Byers.
Nara Ref 3A47475-3A47999.
Enlisted USAAC Nov-39. Posted to A-20 light bomber squadron. Qualified for pilot training Nov-40. Entered Aviation Cadets Jan-42. Presented wings Nov-42. Advanced pilot training Sep-42. Married Sep-42. Joined 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF nucleus Dec-42. Shipped to ETO with 351FS. Flew combat operations from May-43 till Ended Tour of Duty (ETD).
Awards: DFC (2 OLC), AM (4 OLC), WWII Victory.
Post War: Remained in USAAF/USAF till 1949. Saleman for family firm.
Service
Units served with
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Group
The 353rd Fighter Group was assigned to the Eighth Air Force on 7 June 1943. The group flew P-47 Thunderbolts, and from October 1944, P-51 Mustangs, as escorts for bombing missions across occupied Europe and to strafe targets on the ground. Tactical...
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Aircraft
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P-47 Thunderbolt
Assigned to 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) escort mission to NW Germany, on return with section looking for targets to strafe, hit by flak and crashed Bielefeld, Germany. Lt Joseph R Farley KIA 28-May-44 MACR 5027.
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P-47 Thunderbolt
Assigned to 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) bomber escort, dropped out of formation to escort 2nd Lt William Weaver back to base. A/C last seen in the Liège area with only one wing tank onboard, in a tight starboard bank. 4-Mar-44. Lt...
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P-47 Thunderbolt
A/C 42-8619 P-47D-5-RE. The third “Lonsome Polecat” of Lt. George N. Ahles.
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P-47 Thunderbolt
Assigned to 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of Capt George N Ahles from 28-May-44 till ETD Aug-44. Re-assigned to Lt Harry D Milligan.
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P-47 Thunderbolt
Assigned to 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of Lt George N Ahles. Transferred to 6th Tactical Air Depot 9AF USAAF.
Associated Place
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Military site : airfield
Built during 1942-43 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, Metfield had three concrete runways, 39 pan plus 15 loop hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. It was first occupied by the 353rd Fighter Group, equipped with P-47s, from August 1943 to...
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Military site : airfield
Although never used as such, Raydon was built during 1942-43 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, with three concrete runways, 50 loop and one pan hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. Initially on loan to the Ninth Air Force, it was first...
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Military site : airfield
Chanute Field was established in 1917 as a training ground for pilots. After a brief closure at the end of the First World War, the airfield was designated a technical school and provided training for ground personnel during the Second World War.
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Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Born |
Evansville, IN, USA |
29 February 1916 |
Enlisted |
S Chanute St, Rantoul, IL 61866, USA |
November 1939 |
Enlisted USAAC.
Chanute Field, Rantoul, IL, USA.
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Lived in |
Evansville, IN, USA |
1940 |
Assigned |
Norfolk, VA, USA |
December 1942 |
Assigned to 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF.
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Based |
Raydon |
May 1943 – June 1944 |
Based with 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF.
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Promotion |
Raydon, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7, UK |
1944 |
Promoted to Captain.
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End Tour of Duty (ETD) |
Raydon, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7, UK |
June 1944 |
Ended Tour of Duty (ETD).
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Died |
Dunwoody, GA, USA |
1982 |
Buried |
Evansville, IL 62242, USA |
1982 |
Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Evansville
Vanderburgh County
Indiana, USA
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