American Aces Died in 2009 and 2010

[Frank Olynyk]

GORDON, Donald. 5. January 4, 2010. Solana Beach (?), California.

So long, Flash.

RIP.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

STARCK, Walter Edwin. 7. January 7, 2010. Berlin, Maryland.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

A note to the Donald Gordon entry above (which I can't edit): he died in La Jolla, California.

FJO.

[Frank Olynyk]

LOISEL, John Simon. 11. January 20, 2010. Plano, Texas (?).

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

PIERCE, Sammy Alpmeus. 7. January 9, 2010. Ayden, North Carolina.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

ARCHER, Lee Andrew. 4. January 27, 2010. Manhatten, New York City, New York.

Rest in Peace.

Despite what is said in numerous articles, books, and now obituaries, Lee was not an ace. The problem stems from Charles Francis' book on the Tuskeegee Airmen (the first published, I believe) in which he listed five victories for him. The "extra" victory is on July 20, 1944, and is due to Francis' misreading of a very unofficial hand-written victory list for the 332nd FG. In actuallity, Lee did not fly on the 20th according to his Form 5 for July (list of missions flown, an official AF record, which is on microfilm at the Military Personnel Records Center in St Louis).

Frank.
Historian, American Fighter Aces Association.

[Frank Olynyk]

BILLO, James Donald. 3.25. March 7, 2010, Gold Beach, Oregon.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

Jim claimed three Zekes on Nov 11, 1943; squadron records credit him with two. He also claimed full credit for the Betty, which squadron records show as shared with Crosby, Watts and Crawford. He is credited with an additional victory on Oct 26, 1942.

[Frank Olynyk]

WALKER, Jack Greenaway. 4. March 8, 2010. Riverside, California.

Jack Walker is credited by the Air Force with 4 victories. Some years ago (more than five; I would have to dig in my (unfiled) files to be sure) the Victory Credit Board of the American Fighter Aces Association approved the change of a probable victory to a confirmed, making him an ace. This change has not be accepted by the USAF.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[John Beaman]

Hi Frank:

I know the Victory Credit Board is not an "official" agent of the USAF, but for some reason I thought the USAF accepted their changes or findings. Is this not so? Have there been other cases such as Greenaway's?

Thanks for all you hard work keeping up with everything "American Ace" !

[Frank Olynyk]

John,
USAF most definitly does not accept the findings of the AFAA VCB. They have their own Board for the Correction of Military Records (or similar title). The AFAA VCB has approved between 5 and 10 new aces since it came into existance. I will have to dig in my files to get all the names; they aren't limited to USA(A)F. Tonight hopefully.

Frank.

[Tom Semenza]

Also, Frank, can let us know which of Walker's probables was upgraded? That would be interesting to learn.

Thanks,
Tom

[Frank Olynyk]

VOGT, John William. 8. April 16, 2010, Melbourne, Florida.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[RyanShort1]

VOGT, John William. 8. April 16, 2010, Melbourne, Florida.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.
Sad.

Ryan

[Frank Olynyk]

HARRIS, Thomas Switzer. 9. April 3, 2010, New Haven, Missouri.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

THAYER, William Paul. 2. May 6, 2010, Dallas, Texas.

I have only been able to document 2 victories for him. He claimed six, or six and a half; either six Zeros, or 1 D.520 in the North African landings, and 5.5 Zeroes in the Pacific. Plus a number on the ground which I do not track.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

ROSEN, Ralph John. 6. May 11, 2010, McLean, Virginia.

MAHURIN, Walker Melville. 24.25. May 12, 2010, Newport Beach, California.

COLLINSWORTH, J D (Jerry). 6. May 12, 2010, Phoenix, Arizona.

Rest in Peace, gentlemen.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

CHANDLER, George Throckmorton. 5. July 13, 2010, Pratt, Kansas.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

FARMER, Charles Davis. 7.25. July 6, 2010, Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

STARNES, James Roy. 6. September 4, 2010, Tampa, Florida.

ROBERTS, Newell Orville. 5. June 6, 2010, Floresville, Texas.

SHERRILL, Hugh Virgil. 5.5. January 20, 2010, Hobe Sound, Florida.

BAKUTIS, Frederick Edward. 7.5. October 4, 2009, (Waianae), Hawaii.

INCE, James Childs. 6. January 28, 2009, Shertz, Texas.

DORROH, Jefferson David. 6. July 20, 2008, Des Moines, Washington.

Rest in Peace, gentlemen.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

BENZ, Walter Gottlieb. 8. March 21, 2010, San Antonio, Texas (?).

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

IRELAND, Julius Wirth. 5.333. July 28, 2010, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

BETTINGER, Stephen Lambert. 6. December 4, 2010, Kirtland, Washington.

1 victory in WW2, 5 in Korea.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

MARSHALL, Lynden Owens. 5. December 6, 2010, Montour Falls, New York.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Tony Kambic]

Ken Chilstrom passed away last night at age 101. WWII P-40 pilot and first to fly the XF-86. His favorite aircraft were the P-51, Fw190 and Me262. Ken was one of the few aviators who flew all three of them as a test pilot at Wright Field.

No obituary post yet.