339th Fighter Group , livre ebook

TURNER PUBLISHING COMPANY
TURNER PUBLISHING COMPANY Publishers of Military History Chief Editor: G. P. Harry
Chief Editor: G.P.Harry
Copyright 339th Fighter Group Turner Publishing Co. This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
The materials for this publication were compiled using available information; the publisher regrets it cannot assume liability for errors or omissions.
Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 91 075227
ISBN: 978-1-56311-067-2
First Printing 1991
CONTENTS
I NTRODUCTION A CKNOWLEDGEMENT P RAYER FOR THE 339TH F IGHTER G ROUP P ROLOGUE C OMBAT N ARRATIVES R OSTER OF P ILOTS P ILOT A RTICLES 503rd Fighter Squadron 504th Fighter Squadron 505th Fighter Squadron M EMORIAM K ILLED IN A CTION , K ILLED, NOT IN A CTION , E VADED C APTURE /I NTERNED POW s G ENERAL R OSTER OF G ROUP P ERSONNEL G ROUND A RTICLES 339th Headquarters 503rd Fighter Squadron 504th Fighter Squadron 505th Fighter Squadron 1786 Ordnance Supply Maintenance Company (AVN) B IOGRAPHICAL S KETCHES OF G ROUP AND S QUADRON C OMMANDING O FFICERS E PILOGUE T ABLES 1. Missions of the 339th Fighter Group 2. 339th Fighter Group-Credits for Enemy Aircraft 3. 339th Fighter Group-Enemy Aircraft Types Destroyed (Air) 4. 339th Fighter Group-Original and Replacement Pilot Assignments 5. 339th Fighter Group-Compilation of Pilot Casualties 6. Enemy Aircraft Destroyed by Eighth Air Force Fighter Groups 7. Enemy Air Force Fighter Squadrons

INTRODUCTION
By Jim Starnes

The purpose of this book is twofold. First, it is to save the 339th Fighter Group s story for posterity. Secondly, it is to provide an accessible compilation of the record for future generations to read and know the contribution that this dedicated group of men and women made in the rescue of the American way of life that was so gravely threatened by our nation s ruthless enemies during the Second World War.
The collection of material for this publication is timely almost to the point of being too late. While much has been taken from United States Air Force Archives, it also includes many accounts of personal experiences and remembrances. To have delayed much longer would have risked losing many of these human interest stories and exciting combat dramas as the aging characters fade away. These pages are radiant with the luster of the brilliant record and heroic deeds performed by members of the 339th Fighter Group and its support units. It is intended that this book will preserve the glow of that luster for all time to come.
For each member of this group the war experience was one of stress, hardship, privation and danger. For all, it was the most important and memorable period of their lives. The vast majority were men who had no prior military service and were in uniform to fulfill what they considered to be their patriotic duty. After the war some remained and made a career in the military service. Most returned to civilian life where they achieved varying degrees of upward progression and success in the professional and business world.
When most of us reflect back on those days, it brings into sharp focus the memory of the faces and figures of many brave and dedicated Americans. Most were just young men standing on the threshold of life whose dreams and aspirations for the future were interrupted by the urgent task at hand. Each believed in the cause for which he was fighting and was determined to prevent the towns of America from ever being subjected to the brutal assault and suffering he saw inflicted upon the villages of Europe. In accomplishing this, their untiring efforts and courage were awe inspiring. Each member of this fighting team was indispensable in his or her role, and each performed as expected with honor, dignity and unswerving determination.
Each mission day brought examples of exceptional effort, bravery and self-sacrifice along with sadness and tragedy that were an inevitable part of war. Yet these youthful defenders of freedom were unflinching. One can only wonder what it was in the mores of American life that instilled such a strong sense of courage and patriotic obligation in men so young.
Many of these men, barely beyond their teens, did not return from combat missions. To these men who so bravely paid the supreme price in the defense of their country s freedom, we will forever be indebted for the good life they gave us to enjoy. Also, we shall always remember with solemn pride and reverence those who survived to return home. So much could be said for the joy and sorrow, but here we will merely say that each one who served on the 339th Fighter Group team deserves our nation s undying admiration and eternal gratitude.
To the memory of all the men and women of the 339th Fighter Group and its support units who fought this country s grizzliest war with such distinction, and to the mothers, fathers, wives and sweethearts who waited for their return, this book is affectionately dedicated.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By G. P. Harry

In the course of compiling the material for this book, I am indebted to many people.
The editors did an outstanding job. They are: Steve Ananian Sal Carollo Sterling Conley Harry Corey Dale Fitzgerald Steve Fletcher Harry Corey Dale Fitzgerald Steve Fletcher
In a sense, this book is a composition of the Group s history which has been collected by our news letter editor, Colonel James R. Starnes. His tireless efforts over the years have been the bond holding the 339th Association together. His record as one of our fighter aces was an early indication of his dedication to the 339th . . . past and present.
Steve Fletcher, although not a 339er, contributed many hours in researching the combat narratives. Not only the editors, but the Association members came through in great fashion with material and photos for the book.
To these people and many others who rendered assistance, my thanks.
A PRAYER FOR THE 339TH FIGHTER GROUP
By Reverend Dr. Henry Opperman

Dear God, Heavenly Father, it is with gratitude in our hearts that this history of the 339th Fighter Group has been written.
In it we give thanks to Thee for the memories that are ours-memories of the days we served our country during World War Two-memories of our comrades-of the pleasant associations that were ours, together with the friendships we hold so dear. Above all we are mindful of Thy care, Thy love and the comfort which Thou gave to us in the days when we needed them.
We also pay tribute through this history to those of our comrades who sacrificed their lives and are no longer with us, but whose personalities will always remain a living memory in our hearts.
So, gracious God, we invoke Thy blessing upon us. May Your grace and guidance continue to be a reality in our lives and in the lives of those who read this history.
Such is our prayer, O God.
A men
PROLOGUE
By John B. Henry, Jr.

TThe 339th Fighter Group began its existence at Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia, on 10 August 1942 as the 339th Bombardment Group (Dive). The Group moved at reduced strength on 6 February 1943 to Drew Field, Tampa, Florida. In the next few months personnel and equipment were assigned to bring the Group up to strength while flying A-24 and A-25 aircraft. On 3 July 1943 the 339th moved to Walterboro, South Carolina, and began conversion to a fighter bomber group. Dive bomber pilots were transferred out and replaced by fighter pilots, and P-39 aircraft began to arrive.
On 12 August 1943, I, John B. Henry, then a lieutenant colonel, received orders to proceed to Walterboro to assume command of the group. On that day I fell into more good luck than I deserved. I was about to have the privilege of being a part of one of the best flying organizations in the U.S. Army Air Forces. I was told of the Group s conversion underway, and the bottom line was that we had three weeks to complete the manning, equipping and organizing of various squadrons and support elements. We would then move all of it to the California desert to provide air support to ground troops training in the Army s Desert Maneuver Area. When I heard we were expected to be at Rice Field, California, in thirty days, I had grave misgivings about being able to accomplish such a gargantuan task. To move a well established group from east to west coast in thirty days might have been a reasonable task, but for one that was still converting to fighters, it seemed questionable. Nevertheless, we had no choice but to do our best to comply.
I was announced as commander of the 339th Bombardment Group (Dive) on 17 August 1943 and the 339th changed its name to 339th Fighter Bomber Group on 20 August 1943 with three redesignated squadrons - the 503rd, 504th and 505th Fighter Bomber Squadrons. I will be grateful always to the commanders of units from which the pilots and aircraft came. I could not have done better if given the privilege of making the selections. We received 65 top notch pilots, including the five bomber pilots who remained to fly fighters. I saw no substandard officers or hangar queen aircraft being passed to the 339th. Through the super-human efforts of a group of highly motivated people, many of whom were working together for the first time, we made it. The ground elements departed by rail and 49 P-39 aircraft flew out on 10 September 1943, arriving at Rice Field on 17 September 1943.
The 85th Fighter Bomber Group to which I was assigned previously had spent six months on the California Desert in the same role we were getting, so I knew what to expect. I knew from the 85th s experience that the air support requirements for Army Desert Training were minimal. This meant that we would need to fill a significant amount of slack time with other activities. We would need to develop a flying training program to improve the skills of our pilots and to prevent the boredom that stems from idleness. Therefore, I took with me a copy of the training materials used by