|
|
p51 Pilots Biographies, Last Name Starting With "D"
|
|
|
Pilot Name
|
Biography Summary
|
|
Ernest D. Davis, Sr.
|
1952 brought assignment to the 1738th
Ferry Sq. in Long Beach, Calif. where he
again flew P-47s delivering them to the
Caribbean Island Nations and South America. He then flew F-86 and F-100 jets and was
assigned as Det. Comm. at North American
Aviation. During this period he delivered jet
fighters across the North Atlantic on "High
Flights" where, as Mission Commander for
10 missions, he received an Air Medal. Transferring in 1957 to Osan AFB Korea, he was
an Operations Officer with the 311th Ftr.
Sq. where he was awarded his Command Pilot
Rating. Returning to Andrews AFB, he
served until his retirement as a Major in
1963.
|
|
John De Brum
|
Went to
flying School Bishop, Calif. to get commercial pilot's license certificate #390850 July 1943. Went to work for Army Air Force
Western Flying Training Command 8th
A.A.F.T.B. Sequoia Field Visalia, Calif., as a
primary flight instructor, in Ryan's, PT-22
and Stearman's PT-17. Applied and went to
Air Transport Command. Graduated Pilots
Class 44-B Douglas, Arizona, F/0 Service
Pilot, assigned to 556th A.A.F. Base Unit
6th Ferry Division Air Transport Command
Long Beach, Calif. Army Air Base. Sent to
Greenwood, Mississippi 590th A.A.F. Base
Pursuit School, checked out in the following
AT-6 - P-40 - P-63 - P-51 - P-47,
during my Ferrying Mission accumulated
120 hours in the P-47, also checked out in the
B-25 and AT-9.
|
|
Robert R. Deen
|
Due to lack of fuel 93rd was detached
to Gushkara, India and pilots from other two
squadrons rotated through to maintain proficiency. During 20 months in CBI managed to acquire a grand total of two combat missions;
both of which are still the lot of the interceptor pilot - early morning, not yet light, soup
on the deck and up to just above assigned
angels and "Bogey" identified as friendly
just after wheels are in the well. Only then we
had no instrument training, a bare bones
cockpit and no nav aids. Don't tell me Jug
pilots knew no fear!
|
|
Wayne S. Dodds
|
Mid 1944, Dodds
transferred to Mediterranean Theater and
assigned to the 57th Fighter Group, 66th
Fighter Squadron. The 57th was committed
to "Operation Strangle," cutting off of supplies to enemy forces in Italy. He flew 105
missions through VE Day destroying supply
routes, ammunition depots, bridges, railroads, tunnels, close support attacks on tanks
and artillery. He was downed by 20 mm
ground fire on the 54th mission and required
31 days to maneuver through enemy lines to
friendly territory.
|
|
Urban L. Drew
|
He flew 319 hours of
combat in 76 missions with the "Yellowjackets" and received the Distinguished Flying
Cross plus cluster and the Air Medal plus
thirteen clusters, and the ETO Battle Ribbon
with three battle stars. He was credited with
the following victories. 6 - (Air) (3-Me-109's, 1-He.111, 2.Me-262's); 1 - (Air)
(Me-109, damaged); 1 - (Ground) (Ju-52,
destroyed); 1 - (Water) shared destroyed,
only German BV-238 VI six engine flying
Boat; 11 - Locomotives, destroyed; 7 -
Locomotives, damaged; 4 - Barges,
destroyed, water.
|
|
James Edward Duffy
|
WWII FIGHTER ACE!
Jim Duffy joined Army Reserves in 1941, commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant after graduating from flight school at Moultrie Field, GA on Jan 14, 1943. He joined the 354FS/355th FG in spring, 1943 and sailed with group to England in July, 1943.
|
|
Clifford E. Dugan
|
R.T.U. moved to Majors Field Greenville,
Texas, P-47 training completed at this base.
Gunnery, Galveston, Texas. Assigned 377th
Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group,
Ninth Air Force. During combat flew two
escort missions, the rest being close support
for Patton's Third Army. The usual dive
bombing, rockets, and strafing of airports,
trains, and any other targets the controllers
found for us or we found for ourselves
|
|
William D. Dunbar (Billy)
|
One of my most memorable flying experiences was the mission of 23 Dec. 44 near
Kobleny Germany. A group of Martin B-26's
were jumped by thirty odd FW-190's and
Me-l09's. Our squadron was on a recce
mission and we happened along at the right
time. Three B-26's were hit and going down
when we entered the fight........
|
|
|