p51 Pilots Biographies, Last Name Starting With "R"
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Pilot Name Biography Summary
W. H. Readshaw I attended flight training in the Southeast Training Command, graduated in the class of 43J, from Napier Field, Dothan, Alabama, and assigned as a fighter pilot whereas my first flight in the P-47 was at Richmond, Va., where I completed my transition in the P-47 , assigned to gunnery school at Millville, N.J., and left for overseas duty in February, 1944, and assigned to the 48th Fighter Group, 494th Fighter Squadron, 9th Air Force. I flew 83 missions, mostly dive bombing missions resulting the DFC and Air Medal with 14 clusters.
Ralph R. Regnier Most memorable were: (1)flak removing the upper portion of the rudder and stabilizer and most of the supercharger area, (2) groundlooping on A-13's wet steel mat with armed live 500 pounders, (3) a belly-in, (4) first drop of napalm, (5) vengeance destruction of flak towers which had just downed our recce P-51, (6) leading the strafing of the Gutersloh Airport, (7) forecasting that future war would involve jets, after turning inside ME-163, and 262's.

Least forgetful: (1) burying GI's near Rennes, (2) viewing the remains around a previous days strafing, (3) weather during the Ardennes, (4) destroying an FW-190. Left active service Mar. 1946

Paul Rizzo Major Rizzo states, "the P47 was a solid, sturdy airplane, easy to fly and performed good. She gave a pilot a feeling of security. The P47 proved itself in World War II."

He taught Aviation Mechanics in New York City serving 30 years. He flew a Grumman Widgeon to remote lakes in the Canadian Bush. At times he and his fishing party were the first United States Americans some of the Canadian natives had seen.

James F. Roberts bomber version of the P51A.

Participated in N. Africa, Sicily, and Italy campaigns flying dive bombing, strafing, and close support attacks on tanks, docks, and supply lines as well as flying cover for Sicily and Italy invasions. Completed 59 missions. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with six clusters. Commissioned in the field Sept., 1943.

Edward F. Roddy He was credited with eight confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed (airborne) and many more on the ground. Just prior to the invasion of Luzon, he managed to get airborne during a red alert at dawn with one wingman (C. Andress). Although delayed to provide base defense cover until the assigned P38s were airborne, they headed for Clark Field where they caught a row of new Georges (4-bladed prop) refueling.
Charles E. Rowe Transferred to 6th Ferry Group, 14th Ferry Squadron, Long Beach,California, May 1943. On first trip, delivered C-47 to Fairbanks, Alaska to Russians complete with Jeep, Trailer and other equipment as cargo. Red Star was painted over White Star at Great Falls, Montana just prior to flying it out of the states. Spent next year flying P-51's from Inglewood, California to Newark, N.J., and other destinations for overseas deliveries. Also delivered P-47's from Evansville, Indiana, C-47's from Douglas at Long Beach, California etc. to various points throughout the states.
Martha Davis Rupley I bought a Piper SuperCruiser, learned to fly, joined the Civil Air Patrol, and managed to get into the local Civilian Pilot Training Program, the only girl. After Nancy Love formed the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in Wilmington, Del., Jacqueline Cochran, together with General H.H. Arnold, planned the women's flight training program. I applied, was accepted, and reported to Houston in mid-December, 1942, for primary, basic, advanced, multi-engine, night, and instrument flying.
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