Aces of the 354th Fighter Group
What makes an Ace
An ace is a military fighter pilot who shoots down five or more enemy aircraft in aerial combat during the course of their tour. The action had to occur between December 7, 1941 to September 2, 1945.
The enemy aircraft had to be airborne, heavier than air, manned, and armed. Destruction involved shooting an enemy aircraft down, causing the pilot to bail out, intentionally ramming the airplane to make it crash, or maneuvering it into the ground or water. If the enemy airplane landed, despite its degree of damage, it was not counted as destroyed.
It was not uncommon for a destroyed enemy aircraft to be shared between two or more pilots, thus getting ½ to ¼ credit. Some commands also credited aircraft destroyed on the ground as equal to aerial victories.
There has only been a handful of American fighter pilots who became “ace in a day”, Lt. Bruce Carr of the 353rd Fighter Squadron was the only 354th Fighter Group pilot to accomplished that remarkable feat.
Upon return and debriefing, pilots would officially file a “Encounter Report” to claim a destroyed enemy aircraft or as a supporting statement to a witnessed engagement. Encounter reports were a detailing account of aerial engagement(s) against an enemy aircraft. Wing mounted gun cameras were also reviewed to help confirm a destroyed claim. Credits were awarded as destroyed, probable, or damaged enemy aircraft.
The “encounter report” below was taken from historical archives.
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
355TH FIGHTER SQUADRON
354TH FIGHTER GROUP
STATION 150, APO # 638
ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat
B. 31 December 1943
C. 355th Fighter Squadron
D. 1245
E. Over Bordeaux
F. 2/10 Low Clouds
G. Me 109
H. One E/A destroyed
I. Our squadron, in which I was blue flight leader, was flying at an altitude of 25,000 ft. approximately 5,000 feet above bombers. I noticed a straggler (B-24) being attacked by three (3) Me 109’s. I reported this to my squadron leader and went to the assistance of the straggler. As we dove the bomber was hit and started to spin down, the E/A began to circle the bomber and picked out my target, joined the circle, closed to about two hundred (200) feet and gave him a three (3) second burst. He went to pieces and I saw smoke coming out of the cockpit, another two (2) second burst and he exploded. He took no evasive action.
Robert W. Stephens (signature)
Robert W. Stephens
1st Lt., Air Corp.
Lt William Davis, wingman to Lt. Stephens, stayed above to cover his flight leader, filed a "encounter report", confirming the successful attack and destruction of the Me 109.
The following list shows group pilots that achieve the title of ace.
353rd Fighter Squadron Ace List
| Name | Destroyed |
|
Maj. Glenn T. Eagleston Capt. Don M. Beerbower Lt. Col. Jack T. Bradley, 353/HQ
Lt.
Bruce Carr Capt. Wallace N. Emmer Lt. Carl M. Frantz Lt. Loyd J. Overfield Maj. James B. Dalglish Lt. Don McDowell
Lt.
William Y. Anderson Capt. Felix M. Rogers
Lt.
Edward E. Hunt
Lt. Ivan
S Hasek, Jr. Lt Henry S. Rudolph Lt Kenneth Wise |
18.5 15.5 15 15 14 14 11 11 9 8.5 7 7 7 6.5 6.5 5.5 5 5 5 5 5 |
355th Fighter Squadron Ace List
| Name | Destroyed |
|
Maj. Lowell K. Brueland
Maj.
Robert W. Stephens, 355/HQ Capt. Clayton K. Gross
Lt.
Charles E. Gumm, Jr. Lt. William B. King Capt. Maurice G. Long Maj. Gilbert Talbot |
12.5 13 7.5 6 6 6 6 5.5 5.5 5 |
356th Fighter Squadron Ace List
| Name | Destroyed |
|
Lt Col. Richard E. Turner
Capt.
Frank Q O'Conner
Maj.
George Max Lamb Capt. Richard W. Asbury Lt. Thomas F. Miller
Capt.
Harry E. Fisk |
11 10.75 8.3 (includes 3 kills with the AVG/China) 7.5 7.25 6.25 5.5 5.5 5 5.25 5 5 |
The Army Air Forces awarded close to 15,800 aerial victory credits during World War II. Approximately 690 American pilots scored at least 5 aerial victory credits during the war.
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Credits
History in the Sky - 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group; 354th FG Association, Editor: Capt. Arthur F. Brown.
USAAF (European Theater) credits for the destruction of enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat, World War II; Frank J. Olynyk