Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 4 Line: 11

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

In March 1945 I was stationed in Shingbwiyang, Burma with 2nd Troop, 443 Troop Carrier Group of the 10th Air Force.

Air transport was the only way for men and supplies to reach our allied armies. I was flying unarmed C-47s in and out of jungle air strips and/or dropping supplies in remote areas, where enemy aircraft and ground fire was probable and expected.

After Burma was secured we then started to fly our battle-weary C-47s, without oxygen or doors, along the southern route of the Himalayan Mountains, with supplies into China.

We then moved to Dinjan, India to fly C-46s over the "Hump" (the highest point of the Himalayan Mountains) in the worst flying conditions in the world.

As the Japanese retreated, we moved to Chinkiang, China, continuing to fly supplies and equipment to the front lines.

After VJ Day the 443rd Group moved China's 6th Army of 25,000 men, horses, mules, and equipment to reoccupy Nanking, then the 92nd Army was flown into Beijing to help secure China for the Nationalist government. For this operation 2nd Troop received its 3rd Presidential Unit Citation.

I ended up with 540 combat hours and 124 combat missions, the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and 2 battle stars, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.