Looking for any info on my grandfather flew in ww2 pics

[CrashResQue]

Looking for info on my grandfather who flew in WW2. I have narrowed it down to 3rd AAF and that he was in the pacific theater. Im hoping some of these images I have of his ribbons and airplane can shed some light







Really dont know much about his history other then what i stated above..hoping someone here has the channels to maybe figure some more out.

[airnutz]

His name please?

[Forgotten Field]

Ribbons, medals:
The blue and gold ribbon with the oak leaves attached indicates he received three air medals, or at least at some point he had that many. Active pilots in WWII received Air Medals more than once during their tour. The other ribbon is the Asiatic/Pacific campaign medal ribbon. The stars represent campaigns in which he took part. You can look up the official campaign list from WWII and find out which ones were authorized.

If you have his name, you can go here:
http://aad.archives.gov/aad/fielded-sea ... S14&bc=,sl

Enter his name in the format last#first, and you should come up with his service number. Once you have that, you can then start searching for his records. There are two places to look. First is the NARA website www.nara.gov. As a family member, you can receive whatever they have of his service record. There was a fire in 1973 and a lot of records were lost, so you might be out of luck. The second place is to figure out which county and state he was discharged to, and then go to that county and look up his discharge paperwork. Each returning servicemember was required to file his paperwork in the county seat upon returning from service in order to receive benefits from the GI Bill. Many of these municipalities have this information on-line, but not all of them. His discharge paperwork will have some of his units of assignment, his awards, and any decorations he held.

Once you have all that, then you can start looking for his unit information. Certain units participated in certain campaigns, and you might be able to narrow down what unit he fought with based on the medals, ribbons, and research you can do.

As for the aircraft, there are many people who might be able to help you here. Good luck.

[CrashResQue]

He had died long before i was alive. alot of people called him Jack but im pretty sure his name was John. Last name Fennell.

[Jack Cook]

I'm signing to post here on this specific thread only because I can't let this pass.
2Lt John "Jack" Fennell was assigned to the 70th FS 18th FG 13th AF during 1943
and was based on Fighter 2 on Guadalcanal. He was one of a number of pilots assigned
to the 44th FS operationally and flew 44th P-40F/Ms on 50+ missions. He was
with them when they started flying dets out of Segi Point on New Georgia and
later Munda Point. He also flew flew a number of the straffing missions during the
invasion of Bouganville at Empress Aususta Bay in Nov 43. He flew most of his mission as
wingman but later was a element leader. I believe after he returned to the 70th he
was a flight leader. I have a few photos with him in it.
You can find me on facebook where I also have a page of the 44th FS. The photo of
him is by a 70th FS P-39 taken in later 43 or possibly early 44.
I hope this helps. Blake Blakeney said that he was a superior pilot!
Jack is now signing back off.................................

[CrashResQue]

thank you so much this is really awesome I cant express my thanks enough!!!

[tailhook]

The first aircraft is a PT-17 (Stearman Model 75). The fuselage markings indicate that it was based at Carlstrom Field in Florida.
Carlstrom Field was an Army Air Corps primary training facility in WWII. It is quite likely the location where he gained his wings.

Craig

[CrashResQue]

The first aircraft is a PT-17 (Stearman Model 75). The fuselage markings indicate that it was based at Carlstrom Field in Florida.
Carlstrom Field was an Army Air Corps primary training facility in WWII. It is quite likely the location where he gained his wings.

Craig

yea i got that much..wanted to post the pic of him because it was very clear.

[TonyM]

The first aircraft is a PT-17 (Stearman Model 75). The fuselage markings indicate that it was based at Carlstrom Field in Florida.
Carlstrom Field was an Army Air Corps primary training facility in WWII. It is quite likely the location where he gained his wings.

Craig

Several schools a flyer has to go through to get his wings:

Pre Flight
Primary
Basic
Advanced

The pilot gets his wings upon graduating from Advanced School, not Primary.


That is a Primary school. The guy probably got his wings from the school he took advanced training at (AT-6; AT-17; etc.).

TM

[JBrawner]

Glad to see your finally made a post about this, see i told you that they would be glad to help and be quick about it. Had a feeling jack would have some good info and pics for you. now if i could find more info on my grandfather.

[tailhook]

Several schools a flyer has to go through to get his wings:

Pre Flight
Primary
Basic
Advanced

The pilot gets his wings upon graduating from Advanced School, not Primary.
That is a Primary school. The guy probably got his wings from the school he took advanced training at (AT-6; AT-17; etc.).
TM

Thanks for setting me straight.

[T33driver]

I'm signing to post here on this specific thread only because I can't let this pass.
2Lt John "Jack" Fennell was assigned to the 70th FS 18th FG 13th AF during 1943
and was based on Fighter 2 on Guadalcanal. He was one of a number of pilots assigned
to the 44th FS operationally and flew 44th P-40F/Ms on 50+ missions. He was
with them when they started flying dets out of Segi Point on New Georgia and
later Munda Point. He also flew flew a number of the straffing missions during the
invasion of Bouganville at Empress Aususta Bay in Nov 43. He flew most of his mission as
wingman but later was a element leader. I believe after he returned to the 70th he
was a flight leader. I have a few photos with him in it.
You can find me on facebook where I also have a page of the 44th FS. The photo of
him is by a 70th FS P-39 taken in later 43 or possibly early 44.
I hope this helps. Blake Blakeney said that he was a superior pilot!
Jack is now signing back off.................................

Way to go Jack! Great post!

[Jack Cook]

A couple photos. Thanks much for all the PMs...I appreciate the kind words and support!

1Lt Ralph Imberg-KIA, 2lt John "Jack" Fennell, 2Lt Lewis "Blake" Blakeney & 1Lt John Lessing at Fighter Two July 1943

1Lt Jack Fennell flying P-40M #125 "Gypsey Rose Lee" heading for Bouganville Nov 1943.

[CoastieJohn]

In that pic of the #125 above, what is that on the leading edge of the left wing? Would that be some type of nav or radar pod???? A bomb?? The pics kinda blurry.

[Matt_in_NC]

I may be misinterpreting what you're referring to, but I think it's just the fairing for where the landing gear retracts into the wing.