Col Art Owen USAFret. a truly amazing WWII hero passed away yesterday morning. An original pilot in the 353rd FS 354th FG Pioneer Mustangs, Art was transfered in early 1944 to the 380th FS 363rd FG to give the unit some experienced pilots. Shot down in France on April 29, 1944 by flak, Art evaded capture and was able to link up with the Frence resistance. Unable to walk out thtrough Spain Art fought with the Underground until he linked up with a OSS team (Mission Emily) that parachuted into France just prior to DDay. Art became a part of the OSS team and helped blow-up bridges and ambush German soldiers until he was flown out in Sept. 1944. He flew everything the AF had up to the F-102 and commanded a squadron of them in the early 60s. I met Art a couple of months ago and was blow away by both his exploits and humbleness.
353rd FS pilots by Lt Owen's P-51B "Spokane Spook" (L-R) Lt Dave Henley-POW, Lt Art Owen-MIA (evader), Jim Parsons-KIA, Bob Meserve & Jim Burke.
http://www.karenowen.org/maquis/awo/story.htm
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