A Destroyed P-47 and the Pilots' Grave
The grave of a P-47 pilot who crashed after sustaining damage from a ground explosion
This P-47 was destroyed when its' squadron bombed a gunpowder storage depot. According to the museum information plaque, the grave for the pilot was dug by a refugee French couple, who used some of the leftover .50 caliber ammunition to outline the grave.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1943-1945
A Meeting of Army Air Corps Commanding Officers
An informal meeting of the minds between commanding officers of the Army Air Corps
From left to right: Major General Elwood Quesada of the Ninth Air Force, Brigadier General Gordon Saville of the Twelfth Air Force, and Major General Hoyt Vandenburg, Ninth Air Force Commander. This meeting took place after the invasion of Southern France, known as Operation Dragoon. Meetings between Commanding Officers (COs) of the Army Air Corps was usually done face-to-face only by the higher ranking officers. Most other meetings took place by wire.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1944
A P-47 with Razorback Canopy
A P-47 with the Razorback canopy was flown by the 362nd Fighter Group until late 1944.
The original versions of the P-47 that were sent to the 362nd Fighter Group had the Razorback canopy. Pilots of the 362nd credit Colonel Laughlin with the change to the Bubble Top canopy, a positive change for visibility and accessibility. This photo shows a P-47 Razorback being prepped for a mission, with a fuel tank and two bombs already loaded under the plane.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1943-1944
A Tribute to Fighters
A British bomber gunner wrote a thank-you note to U.S. fighter pilots
There is no indication of which newspaper ran this article, however, it appears to be written by a British gunner in response to a group of P-47s providing escort to his crew. It shows just how thankful airmen, especially those in the bombers, were of the presence of fighter planes and their pilots.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
An Airman on Skis
Getting around on base was up to the discretion of the men of the Army Air Corps in times of snow
As the brutal winter of 1944 set in, life at the forward operating bases (FOB) had to continue. Flying missions was still a possibility if the weather and runways were clear. This airman managed to find some skis to get around the base. Seen here standing outside the briefing tent in his combat gear, he wouldn't be entering his cockpit with wet boots and soggy socks.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
Winter 1944-1945
Bomber escort missions for P-47s
One of the earliest mission types flown by P-47 aircraft were those of escorting bombers to and from their targets
Every aircraft in the Army Air Corps had their missions, but none were more diverse than those held by pilots of P-47s. For example, the 362nd Fighter Group had four mission types over the course of their time in service: bomber escort, air interdiction, close air support, and fighter-sweeps. Bomber escort, as seen in this photo, was one of the first mission types performed by P-47 pilots and were quite successful for a while. However, the short range of the P-47 proved disastrous for their bomber compatriots as the German Luftwaffe learned of their weaknesses. As the fighters would turn to refuel in England, Luftwaffe aircraft would attack the vulnerable bombers, leading to disaster for the Army Air Corps. Eventually, P-51 Mustangs would take over the bomber escort missions as their range was more than double that of a P-47.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1943-1944
Omaha World-Herald Announces Change in Medal Rankings
The army updates their precedence of medals to be more in line with the other branches of the military
In this article, the army has decided to rank the Air Medal above the Purple Heart. It also lists all of the medals in the Army from most prestigious to least prestigious.
Omaha World-Herald
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force