Home | History of the 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group during World War II - Valor in Combat
Horry County Museum
Images of the 354th Fighter Group
To view images you can click on the left and
right arrows to move selector or click thumbnail images. There
are a total of eleven images in this gallery.
-
Lt. Col. Glenn T. Eagleston - 1 of 11 images
Ninth Air Force top ranked ace with 18.5 victories, Lt. Col. Glenn T. Eagleston would command the 353rd FS from October 26, 1944 to May 31, 1945. He was born in Utah on March 12, 1921, and joined the Army Air Corps as an enlisted man in 1940. He became an aviation cadet in 1942, graduating at Luke Field in September. After a brief stint with the 20th Fighter Group, he was transferred to the 354th and moved with that Group to England in October 1943. Eagleston was to fly the F-86 Sabre in the Korean War with the 4th FIW and credited with two Mig kills. -
P-47 Thunderbolts - 2 of 11 images
The 354th FG flew P-47 Thunderbolts from the fall of 1944 to the spring of 1945 from Rosieres-en-Haye, near Nancy, France. These P-47's sit in their earth revetments, FT-S, was piloted by Jim Keane of 353rd FS. The 354th FG first aerial victory in December was by Maj. James Dalglish when he spotted a Me-410 taking off from an enemy airfield in a diving attack downed the Me-410. Already an ace this was Dalgish first kill since beginning his second tour in mid October. -
Flightline Barber - 3 of 11 images
These men from the 356th FS set up shop on the flight line, Assistant Crew Chief and barber Jerry Williams from Samaria, Idaho gives Michael Chiodo from Omaha, Nebraska a haircut. Charles Elling tells of a time when he and others got Jerry a little too much to drink, and gave him and Billy Campbell a "Mohawk" haircut. Col. Richard E. Turner, CO of the 356th FS saw them and gave them a good-natured razzing for their un-GI haircuts. -
Pratt & Whitney R-2800 - 4 of 11 images
Mechanics work on the enormous Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine used by the P-47 Thunderbolt. When the 354th FG transitioned to the P-47 their primary duty was now dive-bombing, strafing and supporting troops on the ground. Gen. George Patton, commander of the 3rd Army along with Maj. Gen. Otto P. Weyland visited the 354th FG and personally thanked them for their unending support during the Battle of the Bulge. -
Another Mission - 5 of 11 images
The 354th FG moved to Ober Olm (Y-64) airfield on April 8, 1945. This airfield is the first of two former German bases occupied by the 354th FG. These 355th FS pilots walk to their P-51 Mustangs. The unit introduced the North American P-51B Mustang into the European Air War. The Pioneer Mustangs of the 354th would achieve the highest aerial victories of 701, more than any other fighter group in the European Theater of Operations. By war’s end the 354th FG would produce 44 aces. -
Capt. Bruce W. Carr - 6 of 11 images
Assigned to the 353rd FS, Capt. Bruce W. Carr of Union Springs, New York, flew P-51D Mustang FT-I, "Angels Playmate". On the afternoon of April 2, 1945, Carr led two flights of Mustangs into the Schweinfurt area and spotted a large formation of German fighters at 12,000 ft. Carr quickly attacked the formation and when it was over the Mustangs had destroyed 15 German fighters. Carr destroyed three FW-190s and two Bf-109s, making him the only 354th FG pilot to be recognized as being an "Ace in a day", Carr was also the last pilot in the ETO to achieve this outstanding feat. -
Lt. Col. James H. Howard - 7 of 11 images
Lt. Col. James H. Howard, was originally a Navy dive-bomber pilot and resigned from the Navy to join the American Volunteer Group (AVG) known as the Flying Tigers", led by Claire Lee Chennault in China. Howard flew 50 combat missions and was credited with three aerial victories and three on the ground. When the AVG was deactived July 4, 1942, Howard accepted a commission, but this time as a major in the USAAF. He took command of the 356th Fighter Squadron, training them in the P-39 Airacobra before transitioning to P-51s. Howard was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on January 11, 1944. -
Rigor Mortis - 8 of 11 images
Crew Chief S/Sgt Ben Luttrell tends to a P-51B Mustang "Rigor Mortis" during the summer of 1944. FT-V, was flown by Lt. Eddie Regis. This aircraft and pilot were lost to flak on Mission No. 62 - Penetaration, target area, and withdrawal support to Brunswick, Germany on 26 April 1944. Regis bailed out 5 miles NE of Holzmiden at approximatley 1020. -
The Berlin Express - 9 of 11 images
These men look over a small train left intact by retreating German forces in France. This offered entertainment to all personnel. -
Col. James H. Howard - 10 of 11 images
Col. James H. Howard being congratulated by Mr. R.M. Lovett, after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for his extraordinary performance on January 11, 1944, while a Major with the 354th FG. It was decided in Washington by the Army Air Force brass that Howard was too valuable to risk in further combat. On April 12, 1944, Howard involuntarily left the 354th to be absorbed within Maj. Gen. Elwood "Pete" Quesada's staff at Ninth Air Force Headquarters in Sunninghill Park, Ascot. -
Long-Range Fighter - 11 of 11 images
B-17 Flying Fortress crews from the 401st BG check over a P-51B Mustang which landed at their Deenethorpe base on December 27, 1943. The 354th FG led Ninth Fighter Command to new heights in December escorting two task forces of Heavy Bombers to Kiel, Germany. Planes remained over the target area for 40 minutes. Direct air line distance to target is 420 miles but the course prescribed was a dog leg over the North Sea which totaled approximately 490 miles, this set a new record for fighter escort.
Credits
Photo gallery script provided by stu nicholls dot com.