[mayfair35]

Mr. Zdenek:

I have no idea why you are requesting this information but to help you, here is a short biography of my service time.

Co/. Arthur Charles Fiedler
Colonel Arthur C. Fiedler Jr. who would become an eight-victory ace was born August 1, 1923 in Oak Park, Illinois. In April 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet and was awarded his commission and wings on July 28, 1943. He was assigned as a P-47 flight instructor at Dover, Delaware, but in May 1944, he was sent overseas and assigned to the 317th Fighter Squadron of the 325th Fighter Group. The 317th which was then flying P-51B Mustangs was based at Lesina, Italy. Although there were tens of thousands of aerial combat encounters during World War II, one of the most unusual was a dogfight that took place between Fiedler and an unidentified German Me-109 pilot on June 28, 1944. During a previous combat mission on June 24th, Fiedler claimed a probable. Four days later, Fiedler bounced two Me-109s west of Ploesti, Rumania. After 'flaming' the wingman, he took pictures of the wreckage to confirm his victory. As he began climbing to altitude, he was surprised by another Me-109 crossing directly in front of him. Fiedler immediately racked into a vertical bank, opened fire, and scored several hits before all his guns jammed from the heavy G forces. He now found himself sliding into formation with this second Me-109. Uncertain how he could break away without making himself a good target, Fiedler decided in desperation to fire his .45 automatic at the German who was no more than 40 - 45 feet away. He hoped the German would veer away and Fiedler would then break for home. As he drew his gun, the German suddenly jettisoned his canopy and bailed out. Fiedler was nicknamed "Svengali", but since he did not hypnotize any other pilots into bailing out, this was a short-lived thing. In January 1945, he was credited with his eighth and last aerial victory. Fiedler quit the Air Force to obtain a college education but was recalled involuntarily for the Korean conflict and then decided to remain in the Air Force. He attended the Army Command and General Staff College and served in several challenging assignments. One of his most interesting was with the Space Systems Division where he served as the Chief of Launch Vehicle Planning and Maneuverable Spacecraft Divisions. . Between 1966 and 1970, he flew over 1000 C-130 sorties in Viet Nam and retired in 1975 as a Colonel. Fiedler has been awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with 21 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, a Partisan Star from Yugoslavia, plus numerous other decorations and awards. He and his family retired to Southern California where he enjoys his hobbies and the great weather.