AVG
 

Hi

I’m looking for ranks of the following pilots of AVG “Flying Tigers”:
John Blackburn, Gregory Boyington, Paul Greene, Clifford Groh, Robert Keeton, Robert Moss and Charles Sawyer

Your help would be much appreciated.
Peter

Re: AVG
 

You should check Dan Ford´s website:
http://www.warbirdforum.com/

He wrote a book on the AVG, and has some pages about them. There is also a message board there, where you can ask him, if it is not on the website.

Birgir Thorisson

Re: AVG
 

From

"A Flying Tiger's Diary" by Charles R. Bond, Terry H. Anderson

Appendix B.

Roster of the AVG

Blackburn, John Ed., III : Wingman, died in the Far East
Boyington, Gregory : Flight Leader, left AVG before its disbandment
Greene, Paul J. : Flight Leader
Groh, Clifford G. : Flight Leader
Keeton, Robert B. : Flight Leader
Moss, Robert C. : Flight Leader
Sawyer, Charles W. : Flight Leader, entered service in China as Captain

Re: AVG
 

The data above may be correct for some point in time. However, as of December 41 a memorandum issued from Chennault's office at 'Point X' (Kunming) China lists Greene, Groh, Keeton, and Moss as Wingmen.

The word 'rank' needs to be used carefully with regard to AVG pilots. These pilots were not members of any military organization nor did they have ranks. Their titles were more like 'position descriptions' and primarily associated with their salaries. Yes, there was an "American Volunteer Group" of the Chinese Air Force officially established by Chiang Kai Shek but the pilots were employees of CAMCO (subsidiary of Intercontient Corp.) and not members of the CAF or any other military unit.

Rick Dunn

Re: AVG
 

Thank you guys

I came across these 'ranks' or 'titles' before and, as my knowledge about this subject is very limited, I wasn't sure how to interpret them.
Your clarification, Rick, absolutely makes this whole matter easier.

All the best