Mustang Pilot over China - Biography of Lt. Walt Wyatt 16th Sq, 51st FG - Article by Rick Dunn
 

"Remembering Walter “Walt” Wyatt: WWII P-51 Fighter Pilot in the China-Burma-India Theater"
August 16, 2026
by Richard Dunn

"Walter W. “Walt” Wyatt was a World War II Army Air Forces fighter pilot who flew combat missions in China with the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group. Flying the P-51 Mustang, he was credited with eleven enemy aircraft destroyed, including one confirmed aerial victory, before being shot down over Hainan Island in July 1945. His story provides a useful glimpse into both the training of a wartime fighter pilot and the air war in the China-Burma-India Theater."

https://rldunn.com/remembering-walter-wyatt/

Re: Mustang Pilot over China - Biography of Lt. Walt Wyatt 16th Sq, 51st FG - Article by Rick Dunn
 

You mean Wyatt got 10 Japanese aircraft on the ground and one Japanese aircraft in the air?

Edward L. Hsiao

Re: Mustang Pilot over China - Biography of Lt. Walt Wyatt 16th Sq, 51st FG - Article by Rick Dunn
 

"Walt had a big day on 10 February 1945 when he was credited with seven ground kills during a long range mission to Tsingtao.[5]"

5. Carl Molesworth e-mail (note i)

https://rldunn.com/remembering-walter-wyatt/

Re: Mustang Pilot over China - Biography of Lt. Walt Wyatt 16th Sq, 51st FG - Article by Rick Dunn
 

Strange he is not listed as having any aerial victory, cannot find a MACR for his shoot down in July 1945, he isn't mentioned in "Sharks Over China" (others claiming ground victories are), nor does he show up in a list of air-ground aces in the CBI Theater I copied at the Air Force Museum 30 years ago. Can anyone shed some light on him? Hate to order a book if it's another veteran "remembering" things incorrectly.

Kent

Re: Mustang Pilot over China - Biography of Lt. Walt Wyatt 16th Sq, 51st FG - Article by Rick Dunn
 

Found him mentioned in "Wing to Wing", The date mentions February 11, 1945. The flight led by Lt. Walston claimed 15 kills on Liuting, and besides Walston, the flight had Lt. Zimpleman, Lt. George Koran and Wyatt. It doesn't mention him getting seven of those fifteen. Still curious about him.

Kent

Re: Mustang Pilot over China - Biography of Lt. Walt Wyatt 16th Sq, 51st FG - Article by Rick Dunn
 

My mistake--not a book but still curious about him. Even though he evaded, there should have been a MACR but possibly it and any combat reports/claims verifications got lost over the years/

Re: Mustang Pilot over China - Biography of Lt. Walt Wyatt 16th Sq, 51st FG - Article by Rick Dunn
 

Hello Kent,

Wyatt claimed one damaged on 5 January 1945, 1 destroyed on 14 January and a second damaged on 22 February - see my site at: http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sino-japanese-1945.htm

The MACR seems to be missing but will hopefully turn up some day.

Best regards/Håkan Gustavsson