Harrison R Thyng

Military
media-49771.jpeg UPL 49771 Major Harrison Thyng, Commander 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group June 1942 taken at RAF Atcham during 309th transition to Spitfire Mi-V.

Pinterest and Personal papers of Lt Col Harry L. Barr

Object Number - UPL 49771 - Major Harrison Thyng, Commander 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group June 1942 taken at RAF Atcham during 309th transition to Spitfire Mi-V.

/Thyng led his squadron to a field in Algeria. There, American aircraft in the landing pattern were under attack by Vichy French Dewoitine 520 fighters. The 309th pilots downed three of the four Dewoitines, one of them falling to Thyng's guns for his first confirmed victorIn the late spring of 1942, the 31st Fighter Group arrived in the UK to be equipped with Spitfires. Seven of its senior officers were detached to an RAF fighter group to gain operational experience. Among them was Maj. Harrison Thyng, commander of the 309th Squadron. On July 26, 1942, the 31st pilots flew on an RAF fighter sweep over northern France to become, according to several sources, the first AAF fighter pilots to see combat in Europe. Three weeks later, Thyng was awarded the Silver Star for protecting one of his pilots downed in the Channel while Thyng himself was under attack by enemy fighters.







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Multiple: over a long career

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 31st Fighter Group 350th Fighter Group 309th Fighter Squadron 345th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-421583
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/Squadron Operations Officer/Assistant Group Ops Officer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Mary James
  • Unit: 31st Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 309th Fighter Squadron 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Laconia, New Hampshire 12 April 1918

Died

24 September 1983

Revisions

Date
ContributorRED HORSE
Changes
Sources

Papers of Lt Col Harry L. Barr

Date
ContributorRED HORSE
Changes
Sources

Papers of Lt Col Harry L Barr

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY OF THE 8TH AIR FORCE 1942-1945, Russell Strong

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Air Force Bios / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Harrison R Thyng: Gallery (1 items)