drgondog
2nd May 2006, 18:53
Al White - fighter pilot of 354FS/355thFG and Chief Test pilot at North American, including B-70 Test Program, passed away on April 29. He was also a lead investigator for FAA for just about every major airline crash you can remember.
Remarkable pilot who also attempted another 'piggy back' rescue for the 355th when Henry Brown was shot down by flak and Chuck Lenfest landed to pick up Brown but got stuck in mud.
White landed nearby prepared to give up his Mustang and enable Lenfest and Brown to return home.. the other two pilots failed to see him and ran for cover - then White took off. This was all under small arms and flak from nearby Nordlingen airfield. White returned safely and Brown and Lenfest were captured shortly afterward.
Lenfest was 354FS Ops Officer and an ace and Brown was leading ace for 355th FG and highest ranking ace in 8th still flying (after Godfrey, Goodson and Gabreski were POW) at the time.
Remarkable pilot who also attempted another 'piggy back' rescue for the 355th when Henry Brown was shot down by flak and Chuck Lenfest landed to pick up Brown but got stuck in mud.
White landed nearby prepared to give up his Mustang and enable Lenfest and Brown to return home.. the other two pilots failed to see him and ran for cover - then White took off. This was all under small arms and flak from nearby Nordlingen airfield. White returned safely and Brown and Lenfest were captured shortly afterward.
Lenfest was 354FS Ops Officer and an ace and Brown was leading ace for 355th FG and highest ranking ace in 8th still flying (after Godfrey, Goodson and Gabreski were POW) at the time.