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Re: Rescued in the cockpit!
The first Piggy Back Rescue in 8th AF.. Marshall flying 354FS ship WR-F (borrowed from Lenfest) and shot down 'checking out' M/Y NE of Paris while leading the 355th in strafing missions in front of Patton's breakout.
Priest landed close by, disobeying a direct order to not do so. Thought he was going to be shot, Doolittle downgraded the MoH to DSC and forbade any future attemptes.
Aug 28 - strafing in front of Patton (rare 8th AF assignment), 358FS/355FG Tolby lands near squadron mate to attempt rescue close to Metz. Sticks gear in mud, both evade, tell no one.
October 3, 355FG top ace Brwon shot down strafing and Lenfest, flying WRB (borrowed from Marshall) lands to rescue Brown - sticks Mustang in mud. Future B-70 test pilot Al White lands successfully and tries to give up HIS Mustang to the other two aces but they have fled.
He takes off and returns empty handed from Nordlingen. Doolittle goes ballistic.
Jack Ilfrey pulls it off again on 18 November - tells no one. Then Green pulls it off again picking up McKennon on 18 March, 1945.. but 4th FG can't keep anything out of the press. Doolittle chews Everett Stewart (new 4th FG CO, formerly 355FG CO when the first rescue occurred with Priest) for 'knowing better'.
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