404 Fighter Group / 508 Fighter Squadron
2nd Lieutenant William R. HARDIN
From Orlando, Florida.
Killed in Action 8 September 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-75158 / 7J-'Y'.
Took off from A-65 Perthes, France, for a dive-bombing marshaling yards near Aachen, Germany. Having dive-bombed the target the aircraft was hit by flak while strafing a locomotive.
Crashed 2 miles east of Vise, Belgium. (see map). MACR 8707.
2Lt Hardin is buried at Ardennes Cemetery, D-23-8. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-ardennes-h/52891-hardin-william-r
The above group photograph was sourced from Hardin's Primary Training Class, 44-C, Ranking Flying School, Texas.
Cadet William R. Rankin is pictured 2nd from right.
356 Fighter Group / 360 Fighter Squadron
Flying Officer Willard W. ROYER
From Balaton, Minnesota
Killed in Action 4 November 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-26289 / PI-'M' / 'Georgia's Best'.
While on a target support and bomber withdrawal sortie F/O royer was shot down in a dogfight with Messeschmitt Me-262 jet fighters.
Crashed in a field near Drohne, south of Dummer Lake, Germany. KIA. MACR 10242.
F/O Royer is buried at Ardennes Cemetery D-19-12. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-ardennes-r/66596-royer-willard-w
The photograph of P-47 #42-26289 is courtesy AAMIB (FRE 6086).
The portrait photograph was sourced from Find a Grave.
406 Fighter Group / 512 Fighter Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Thomas E. ARMSTRONG
From Glendora, California.
Killed in Action 2nd December 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-29179 / L3-'N' / 'Nan'.
After a ground support mission in the Saarbruecken area the flight returned to A-80 airfield in bad weather. Crashed into trees after breaking through the low overcast.
Crashed at 'Le Petit Vin', 500 meters north-east of Mont Mollet near Mogues, France. MACR 10563.
2Lt Armstrong is buried at Henri Chapelle Cemetery, H-9-18. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-henri-chapelle-a/47189-armstrong-thomas
Source of the portrait photograph: www.villersdvtorval.canalblog.com
The aircraft photograph and artist impression of #42-29179 is courtesy of www.512thfightersquadron.com
56 Fighter Group / 63 Fighter Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Walter H. PITTS
From Santa Rosa, California.
Killed in Action 28 September 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-28822 / UN-'?'.
While strafing a ground target and probably hit by anti aircraft fire Lieutenant Pitts crashed near Huepperdingen, Knupp District, Luxembourg.
2Lt Pitts is buried at Henri Chapelle Cemetery, G-13-70. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-henri-chapelle-p/47207-pitts-walter-h
This portrait photograph of cadet pilot Walter H. Pitts was sourced from Pilot Class Book 44-C, Waco Field, Texas (Advanced Training).
368 Fighter Group / 396 Fighter Squadron
2nd Lieutenant George E. MYERS
From Chehalis, Washington.
Killed in Action 26 March 1945 as pilot of P-47D / #44-20258 / C2-'?'.
Possibly hit by flak. The pilot baled out over allied held territory at Briey, France but was killed.
The exact circumstances surrounding his death are unknown to us. Who can add further info?
2Lt Myers is buried at Luxembourg Cemetery, H-9-21. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-luxembourg-m/86761-myers-george-a-lux-h-9-21
The above group photograph of cadet pilots was sourced from Pilot Class Book 44-C, Rankin Aeronautical Academy, Tulare, California.
Cadet pilot George A. Myers is pictured first from left.
The above High School class book photograph was sourced via Ancestry.com.
417 Night Fighter Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Frank W. COOLEY
From Oakland, California
Killed on an post war Operational Mission (KOM) on 28th June 1945 as pilot of P-61B / #42-39563.
Took off from Y-72 airfield Branshardt / Hesse in germany and crashed due to engine failure 10 miles south-east of Chateau Thierry, France.
2nd Lt Cooley is buried at Epinal Cemetery A-24-44. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/239-not-listed-cemeteries/not-listed-in-epinal/not-listed-in-epinal-c/68106-cooley-frank-w-epi-a-24-44
Note that this database file has yet to be amended to include the new found info.
