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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Fighter Aces..........

Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:32 am

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Capt "Gentleman Jim" Browning 357th FG MIA
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Capt Floyd Kirkpatrick VMF-422
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Sgt Popek PAF
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LT "Oc" Chenoweth VF-17/38
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LCDR Roger Hedrick XO VF-17
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Maj. Mike Rogers CO 353rd FS
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Ens. "Chico" Freeman VF-17 KIA
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Maj. Paul Conger CO 63rd FS
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Capt Don Beerbower CO 353rd FS KIA

Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:49 am

Has anyone heard of a Pat Shuman? My father in law says he was a triple ace and also flew in Korea but I can't find anything about him. Apparently he was shot down twice too. I'm working on setting up a chance to meet him. Fingers crossed...

Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:57 am

Two more....

Capt. John Trevor "Johnny" Godfrey

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Col. Donald James Matthews "Col Don" Blakeslee

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Martin

???

Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:58 am

again with the 4th FG
Geez...................... :wink:

Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:04 am

Wish some owner had the "guts" to finish his Corair exactly how Ens. Chico Freeman's VF-17 "kite" is pictured here. "Rode hard and put away wet".

And wish the judges at OSH had the guts to give it an award other than the "dirty bird" award.

Ah, I can dream, can't I?

Thanks Once Again, Jack Cook. I have a tough time looking at these pictures with "KIA" or "MIA" in the caption without getting something in my eye.

??

Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:18 am

Re: Chico Freeman
He went to VF-84 with many VF-17 vets and ran his score to 7.
He was killed with many others when the Bunker Hill was kamikazed.
Most of the Air Group 84 personnel were killed in their ready rooms. Bill Popp said these poor guys were stacked
like a pile of wood trying to all escape out the hatches. Bill found Chico and carried him up to the hanger bay
practically bawling and prepped his body for burial at sea.
He also inventoried his effects. He told me this story 60 years later and still couldn't hold himself together. :(
Last edited by Jack Cook on Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:14 am

Dang Jack..thanks a alot...for the pics and the story.


"Rode hard and put away wet"


Yeah! Look at the bushed on invasion stripes and mud on Capt Beerbower's machine...never see any brushed on paint at Oshkosh....Until Ole' 927 shows up!
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