Japanese balloon shoot down by USAAF P-63 - March 1945

[Leendert]

Not sure if in right section, but here goes.

In March 1945 a 4th Air Force P-63 Kingcobra pilot achieved the only 'kill' in this type in USAAF service. P-63 was based at Walla Walla, Washington State, on the border with Oregon.
Victim was a Japanese fire balloon that was chased by 3 x P-63s from Oregon to Nevada, with some fuel stops on the way.

There are quite some websites about the Japanese balloon attacks on the US West Coast that tell the P-63 story, but the name of the somewhat unique pilot here remains a mystery.

(The P-38 pilot who earlier shot down a balloon over California was 1/Lt Clinton Bergen)

Any lead or info welcome, thanks.

Regards,
Leendert