Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Looking for information about my Dad. I never knew him but would like to know more about him. He was 9th Air Force, 354th Group, 353rd Fighter Squadron. I know where he is buried (Alsace Lorraine) but would like to know more about where he was, where he flew and a exactly where he died. Also would like to know the Numbers on his plane, P-51B Mustang named Jeanne Mio. Can anyone tell me where to go look? Thank you and bless you all for having so much more information out there that there was before.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Here's the MACR ( Missing Air Crew Report).

P-51D-5, #44-13559, "Ready Eddy"

http://354thfightergroup.homestead.com/index.html

http://www.354thpmfg.com/

Regards,
Mike

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

There are 2 Photos of Capt. Hunt in Book:
354th FG by William Hess
Osprey Aviation Elite # 7
Mike

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Dear R., Captain Clayton Kelly Gross will answer you soon. He knew Ed Hunt very good. Kelly was in the 353. Fighter Squadron. Greetings from Germany

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Hi, qltngal !

Capt. Hunt was first buried at Limey U.S. temporary cemetary at Toul, France. This must not have been his place of death, but it seems to be quite close to it.

After clearing the numerous little U.S. military cemetaries postwar by rebury the remain to the permanent U.S. cemetaries, your father found his rest in St. Avold in France. This indicates, that he must have found his death in the general area of Toul, France.

His Individual Deceased Personnel File would help a lot.

All the best and hope, this helps.

Horst Weber

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Dear Renee,

Hello---it was great to see your recent post on this fine forum.

I've searched for info. for 17 years now on Wallace N. Emmer (Bud or Wally), who was your late father's flight lead (D Flt.). Please search this forum under "EMMER" and you will find 3-4 threads I've posted to this Forum with addtl. info. about the 353FS. I'll be glad to help you find many avail. web items.

You're in for some great rewards to your search, in addition to the MACR &
Eyewitness Report already posted by Revi16. Mike provided the link to the
354FG website hosted by Gene Lamar, in honor of his dad, Robert Lamar. This is a great place for you to visit and will provide a lot of info.

Also, Mike's other link is the active website of the 354FG Assn. Many members are still living, active, working on the group histories and they still meet annually....this year's reunion will be held in July. I suggest that
you join as an Associate member. www.354thpmfg.com There are many
family members in the Assn., with whom you have much in common.

In addition to Mike's info. about your father's last a/c (P-51D, FT-S) he is
also listed with P-51B "Smoldering Boulder" a/c#42-106597. Do you know
if your dad graduated from Advanced Flt. Trng. with Class 42-I at Luke
Field (Phoenix, AZ)?

Please note these items:
1. http://www.cybermodeler.com/history/..._gallery.shtml
This contains many, many items of interest---leaders, aircraft,markings
and cowling colors of the 3 fighter squadrons within the 354th.

2. http://www.cybermodeler.com/history/...353board.shtml
The 353FS board which shows leaders & staff plus all 4 of the flights.
Your father is in D Flt. at the lower right. This board originated when
the sqdn. was training in Portland, Ore. in Bell P-39 Airacobras (hence
the 353rd became the "Cobras." This board remained with the 353rd
through England and then at bases on the continent.

3. http://www.cybermodeler.net/history/...es/353d_02.jpg
A truly great photo of the Cobras at Tonopah, Nev. on 29 July 43.
D Flt. is back row from the Flt. Leader, Bud Emmer (dark coveralls), to
the right: Bud, Eagleston, Stretz, Regis, Uhlenberg & a great pic of
your dad. Missing from the photo are D Flt. members Art Owen &
Donald Schultz. Of this original group Ed Regis and Donald Schultz are
still living & active (I'm not sure about Stretz & Uhlenberg).

4. http://354thfightergroup.homestead.com/LAnderson.html
Lars Andersen, of Victory Films, has produced this amazing DVD of the
354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group. It will give you the feeling that
"you are there." Your daughter can now connect more directly with the
life of her grandfather during WWII in the ETO.

Please send me an email to: aaatripp@cox.net Hope this helps get you
started on the next phase of your search.

With best regards,
Tripp Alyn

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

One small correction to Peglar's post:

Clayton "Kelly" Gross (GQ-I "Live Bait") was in the 355FS.

Regards,
Tripp

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Another item, Renee:

A very important part of the process is to request your father's mlty. records from NPRC (Ntl. Personnel Records Center) on Page Ave. in St. Louis, MO. The form is found at:

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/mil...-form-180.html

You are next-of-kin so you should have some success in obtaining records
pertaining to your dad. Be advised, though, of the disastrous fire at NPRC
back in 1973, in which many records were destroyed.

Regards,
Tripp

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Renee - I just sent Horst pg 2 and 4 of the MACR for you and filled out the names for your photo.

One of the better books is The Pioneer Mustang Group - the 354th Fighter Group in WWII by Steve Blake

Regards,

Bill marshall

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Bill--Thank you for you help. I know more about my Dad now than I ever have so Bless you and all the others that have gotten the information out there for those of us looking. My daughter and I just watched the DVD on the 354th last night and it sure made it easier to understand what was going on at the time. Also I have the names of more bases to check and see if Edy was assigned to them. Thank you again for your help.
Renee'

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Renee, one of the most information providing documents is the IDPF "Individual Deceased Personnel File". You can request a copy as a family member and it takes a few weeks. But this document will state where your father was found and that will most likely give you a quite accurate location of his crash. Sometimes they even have maps and names of witnesses attached. Danny

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Renée,
The IDPF for Edward E Hunt does contain information about the crash site and witnesses. It also contains information about the identification of the body, and you may find this gruesome. It gives burial information, with disinterment and reinterment locations and dates. It gives the names of his parents and their address in 1944/45. I was able to locate the family in the 1930 census, but only his father in the 1920 census (still on active duty with the Army).

His Form 5s, giving monthly lists of his flights from the time of his completing flight training until his death, exist on microfilm at the Military Personnel Records Center in St Louis, and you can request them. But I believe the Center is in the process of moving and there may be a delay in obtaining copies.

His two earliest combat reports are located at the Air Force Historical Research Agency, at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. I have never been able to locate any other combat reports for him.

He received a DFC and an Oak Leaf Cluster to the DFC (in essence, a second DFC), and an Air Medal and 15 Oak Leaf Clusters to the AM.

Clayton Gross (referenced in an earlier post) will be attending the American Fighter Aces Association convention in Tucson early next month. He was in the 355th FS however, not the 353rd.

Frank Olynyk, Historian, American Fighter Aces Association.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Hi All--I was wondering if I could ask for help with my research yet again. I was told I need to get a 'Form 5' concerning my Dad and I also would like a hint of where I could go to get a list of medals and awards he might have received during his service. Not growing up with my Dad and being exposed to anything military I have no idea where to get this information. Any hints? Thanks again to all of you who have helped me along my way to discovering my Dad, you have no idea how really grateful I am. Also if anyone might have a picture of the 'Ready Eddy', the plane he was flying at the time I would love to have a copy or a source or anything at all.
Thanks, Renee'

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Renée,
Your father's Form 5 records exist only on microfilm, at the National Personnel Records Center in St Louis (http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/mil...nel/index.html). Follow the instructions on the website for requesting copies.
With regard to his decorations, this is what I have from my visit there many years ago:
DFC, General Order (GO) 267, 9th Air Force, Nov 14, 1944
Oak Leaf Cluster to DFC, GO 267, 9th AF, Nov 14, 1944
Air Medal, GO 4, 9th Fighter Command, Jan 17, 1944
OLC to AM, GO 6, 9th ASC, Feb 11, 1944
2nd OLC to AM, GO 66, 9th AF, Mar 22, 1944
3rd OLC to AM, GO 96, 9th AF, April 11, 1944
4th OLC to AM, GO 119, 9th AF, May 1, 1944
6th OLC to AM, GO 134, 9th AF, May 14, 1944
7th OLC to AM, GO 150, 9th AF, May 29, 1944
5th OLC to AM, GO 8, 19th Tactical Air Command, June 5, 1944
5th OLC to AM, GO 11, 19th TAC, June 17, 1944 (this may be a revision to the June 5 GO)
8th to 11th OLC to AM, GO 8, 19th TAC, June 5, 1944
12th OLC to AM, GO 10, 19th TAC, June 13, 1944
13th OLC to AM, GO 11, 19th TAC, June 17, 1944
14th OLC to AM, GO 13, 19th TAC, June 17, 1944
15th OLC to AM, GO 19, 19th TAC, July 20, 1944
In general, St Louis will not have copies of the citations from the General Orders. These can probably be obtained from the USAF Historical Research Agency (Maxwell AFB) in Montgomery, Alabama (http://www.afhra.af.mil/).
The best book on the 354th FG is Steve Blake's The Pioneer Mustang Group, published by Schiffer.

Enjoy!

Frank.
Historian, American Fighter Aces Association

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Frank--Thank you again for jumping in and helping out with information I needed. I really appreciate it. I was watching the DVD of the history of the 354th, probably hadn't watched it but once since I first got it. When they were talking about D-Day, my Dad was on stage and spoke a little. Since he was killed 6 months before I was born, I had never heard his voice and except for very few pictures, had never seen him. This was pretty exciting for someone like me. All of you who jump in and help are so appreciated by those of us who are searching for our family members and trying to get to know them a little better. Bless you for being so involved.
Renee'

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Hi!! Happy New Year

qltngal you need this also

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Warren Emerson (r) and Edward Hunt (left)

Greetings Peglar

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

The pix is online on www.354thpmfg.com, tribute to John Mattie, Blue Monday downloadable in pdf.
"my buddy" was Mattie's assigned P-51
Regards Thierry

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Thanks to all who answered my post. I've had the 'My Buddy' pic for a long time but didn't know who the other pilot was or who the plane was assigned to. Thanks for your help with the MACR also. Can anyone explain how the Oak Leaf Clusters worked. Were they awarded for something special? Time flown? Number of missions? I'm not sure how that all worked. Also I have a list of the missions my Dad flew but there are no numbers for the planes, just the letters. Is there a source to get that information? I have it for the ace claims and can see which plane he flew then but not for the other missions. Is that information in the Form 5 that Frank told me to get? I know I was told about this in Dayton when we saw 'Charlottes Chariot' but what was the 'pi' for after the letters? See, every time you all answer a question for me it just brings up more questions. Thank you to everyone who has jumped in to help me understand all of this a little better and get to know my Dad more.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Hi Renee,

To help with your questions:

1. Refer to the back of Steve Blake's fine book on the 354FG, you'll find
the complete description of the a/c (aircraft) which your father was
flying each time he was credited with a confirmed/probable/damaged
enemy a/c.

2. As for the letters, the first two designate the squadron (FT = 353FS,
GQ = 355FS, AJ = 356FS). The separated 3rd letter was to indicate
an individual a/c within the squadron. For example, Bud's a/c ID was
FT-G (Peaceful Penguin & Arson's Reward for Wally/Bud Emmer). After
he was shot down, Sanchez is listed as flying FT-G. "Eagle" (Glenn
Eagleston) kept FT-L for the duration. Don Beerbower flew FT-E and
Jack Bradley was FT-B. Sometimes several pilots shared an a/c with
a letter identifier. It was not unusual for a pilot to fly an a/c assigned
to someone else....you'll see this when you notice the victory credits
and see that sometimes a pilot was flying another a/c than their "own".

3. The Greek letter "pi" is just another letter to use, ie. after " Z ".

4. The "numbers" of the a/c were the a/c serial numbers which can be
observed on the tail in many photos. This is a specific # only for that
a/c, and it never changed. The letter designation for an a/c could change
as it was assigned to another pilot or transferred to another unit.

5. The bronze oak leaf clusters (as in the case of the Air Medal) are used
to indicate additional awards of a certain medal. EX. a ribbon for an
Air Medal with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters would signify that the pilot
had been awarded the Air Medal FOUR times. A silver oak leaf cluster
indicates FIVE awards of the medal.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Tripp

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Renée,
In addition to Steve Blake's book on the 354th FG, you might also get a copy of Paul Sailer's biography of Don Beerbower, The Oranges Are Sweet. http://paulmsailer.com/Home.php As well as being a bio of Beerbower, it is also a history of the 353rd FS up to August 1944 when he was KIA. The index lists many references to Ed Hunt.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Emmer links

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/search...earchid=263727

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Hi qltngal-
I came across this thread via Google while I was researching a photo I have of my dad painting some nose art on a P-51. The nose art takes the form of a person's name. I was trying to find that person's name via Google. My father's name is Alfred Borst. He was a crew chief (his description) with the 353rd fighter squadron.

You mentioned in your initial post that your dad's P-51 was named Jeanne Mio and that's the name my dad is painting on the P-51 engine cowl shown in the attachment. In the background you can see another cowling panel that he has finished painting that looks like it might read Ready Eddy. I can't say for sure that either of these panels belonged to the aircraft your father flew but it would be a peculiar coincidence if there were two P-51s named Jeanne Mio.

I thought you might like to have this photo to add to your collection of keepsakes of your father's wartime service. The photo attached is quite small due the posting regulations of the forum. If you would like a larger version please send me a PM and I would happy to email this to you.

The number 824 is stamped on the back of the photo. No other information was written on the photo so I don't know when or where the picture was taken or who the photographer was.

Finally, may I ask who Jeanne Mio is?

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

I believe Jeanne was Edward Hunts wife and qltngal's Mom.

Italian/Spanish/etc. - Jeanne Mio
English - My Jeanne

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Nice photo.Looks like the panel for "Ready Eddy" is for the right side of the nose because of the dark paint(black?) on the far right of the panel were as the panel with "Jeanne Mio" on it has the black? on the left side of the panel.
Both names on one Mustang?
Rick
PS: after writting this I checked Steve Blake's 354 FG book from Schifer and he has both names for the P-51B so that is not news but now know what the letters look like.
Thanks again rborst for posting.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

rpeck350 -

That's an interesting thought. It hadn't occurred to me. Could be.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Revi16 -

Thanks for letting me know that.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Did you ever request the IDPF that Frank Olynyk mentioned? If not, I can provide you with the address where you can request it. If the IDPF is already scanned then it will take very little time, otherwise a few months. Danny

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Thank you so much for this information. I haven't looked here in forever, I thought I had gotten everything I was going to get. My Dad died when my Mom (Jeanne) was 3 mo pregnant with me so I never knew him. I started researching about 5 years ago and now know so much more about him & what he did. I would love to have a better copy of this picture. I don't think the background plane is his. When he went back after his last leave (Aug ' 44) he got the P-51D (the Ready Edy) & the Jeanne Mio (a P-51B)was reassigned. But what a great picture. Thank you so much. Let me know if you can send me a better copy & what info you need. You all on this site have been awesome in helping me out and it is greatly appreciated.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Great work, guys, for all of you who have helped. That's what this forum does best! :)

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Danny- I haven't been on here for awhile and am playing catch-up. What is an IDPF? Is that the one with the autopsy report? Thanks.
Renee'

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

He probably could have swapped with the "B" Crew Chief when it was re-assigned to get both side panels if only a day or so lapsed.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

To Renee' (qltngal) and rborst,

A big THANK YOU! for your comments on this thread which apparently now have provided the info. to prove that one of the artists painting nose art for the 353FS in the ETO of WWII was: crew chief, Sgt. ALFRED BORST!!

I've been searching for several years now to identify this person. For the 356FS, it's been easy as the work of Will Louie has been well documented.
Several members of the 355FS gave me a couple of likely names but I could never find any evidence of the painter of the nose art for the 353rd....until now!

If you check out the nose art of the following 353FS a/c you'll note the block-style lettering, use of a border on all letters, distinctive "M", and shape of the curve on certain letters that seem conclusive:

1. Jeanne Mio/Ready Eddy - Edy Hunt
2. Margie Maru (early edition) - Jack Bradley
3. Arson's Reward - Wallace "Bud" Emmer
4. Bonnie B (early two) - Don M. Beerbower
5. Julienne Hi! - John Montijo
6. Rigor Mortis - Ed Regis
7. Beantown Banshee - Felix M. Rogers

Many of you will recall that Glen Eagleston's FT-L "Feeble Eagle" had that dramatic painting of the attacking eagle and Bruce Carr's FT-I "Angel's Playmate" also had more elaborate painting than those listed above.

If anyone has addtl. info. about the 353FS nose art or other painters please reply via this forum. Many thanks!
Regards,
Tripp

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Hallo Renee, now I have not been on for a while. An IDPF is the individual deceased personnel file and yes..it has the medical/dental data and all info about where assumed to have been lost and if the person is an MIA, what was done to locate the body. If the person is not missing, it will identify what was found in order to determine the persons identity.

Danny

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Does anyone remember a Robert Reynolds, a pilot in the 353rd? He's listed in Steve Blakes book as a pilot assigned to a P-51 with my Dad, Capt. Edward E. Hunt. The names on the plane were Jeannie Mio/Ready Edy (42-106597). Still looking for more information about my Dad. All of you who have jumped in to help have been awesome. You will never know how much it means to me.

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

Hi Renee'

I found Reynolds on the Mission Schedule for 9 Aug 44, filed by 353FS Adjutant, 1LT Carl Bickel. Yes, these are the two missions when 353FS CO Maj. Don Beerbower was shot down and KIA, and 353FS OPSO and acting CO Wallace (Bud/Wally) Emmer was shot down and MIA/POW/DNB.

On both missions Reynolds was flying FT-S, that is the squadron identifier for your father's aircraft. Your dad was on leave stateside, visiting your mother and making it possible for you to join us!

Best,
Tripp

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

If someone can enlighten me on the crash site, I might be able to see if I know anyone near the site that can see if any parts are still in the ground. Danny

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

I believe that Renee has received some official documents which described the crash site & location in detail, along with the disposition of her father's remains.

AFHRA documents list the following Technical Line Crew for FT-S:
Crew Chief - S/Sgt Cheney
Asst. CC - Sgt J. Davis
Armorer - Sgt Bourbon

The aircraft (a/c) is listed as "Ready Edy" and "Jeannie Mio" assigned to 1st Lt Hunt.

Tripp

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

After some research I believe that I have some additional information, Renee, regarding your father's aircraft. Since you already have Steve Blake's book on the 354FG much of it can be found in the back reference areas.

1. The 1st a/c assigned to your father appears to be P-51B-5 #43-6378 coded FT-S, which was known as MISFORTUNE II. Edy got 4 1/2 of his aerial victories in this a/c before it was damaged on 4/30/44, only six days after your dad got his 6 1/2th kill. The a/c was repaired & recoded for other use.

2. Edy's next a/c was #42-106597 FT-S which is widely known under the double names JEANNE MIO/READY EDY (painted by Alfred Borst). He got his last kill in this a/c on May 28th to bring his official total to 7 1/2 confirmed enemy a/c destroyed.

Some records also show this a/c to be known as SMOLDERING BOULDER. I can't tell if this was a prior name before it was assigned to your dad, or a name associated with its assignment to Robert Reynolds after your dad left the Sqdn to go on leave back to the States. This a/c was later lost in action on Sept. 9, 1944....but only after Reynolds succeeded in getting 3 FW-190 confirmed kills with it on that same day!

3. Edy's 1st & 3rd kills were in Ed Regis' RIGOR MORTIS (FT-V) and Bud Emmer's PEACEFUL PENGUIN (FT-G) respectively. The other 5 1/2 aerial victories were in his own assigned a/c.

4. Your dad's last assigned a/c appears to be P-51D-5 #44-13559 FT-U READY EDY. It was a newer a/c and was the one Edy was piloting when he was lost on Nov. 8, 1944. (Blake's book has this a/c coded as FT-U; perhaps this is an error, or someone already had FT-S when Edy returned).

Your dad's last claim was a ME-410 damaged on Oct. 21st, but that was in
a different a/c, FT-pi.

Hope that this helps more with your search!

Best wishes,
Tripp

Re: Captain Edward E. Hunt KIA Nov. 8, 1944
 

All----

In Sqdn records at AFHRA I've found a listing of Technical Line Crews which indicates that 353FS nose artist SSgt. Alfred Borst was assigned as Asst. Crew Chief to FT-D, the P-51 Mustang of 2nd Lt. John S. "Jack" Miller. This listing is from early '44 as it includes Ed Regis, who had to bail out and became a POW on 4/26/44. Most likely Alfred Borst would have moved up to Crew Chief sometime after that.

---

Jack Miller was flying FT-H on Bud Emmer's wing on the afternoon mission #193 on 9 Aug 44 when Bud's plane was hit by flak from a German 88mm antiaircraft battery. The fuselage fuel tank of the plane exploded and Jack Miller followed it down for some time but did not recall seeing a parachute. He did not file an Eyewitness Report to the MACR. However, 1Lt Ted Sedvert did see a parachute and at 1855 filed an ER to MACR #8149. Miller was flying FT-T on the ill-fated mission #192 in the morning when squadron commander Don Beerbower was lost.

Regards,
Tripp