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Col William "Wild Bill" Cummings, former PTO fighter pilot in Java before taking command of newly formed 355th FG.
He was the first and longest wartime commander of the 355th FG and commanded it to number three position of 8th AF Fighter Groups in total number of German aircraft destroyed and damaged.
He personally lead a Fighter Sweep to Munich on 5 April, 1944 that navigated over complete cloud cover, brought the Group's Mustangs through a blinding snowstorm and wreaked havoc and destruction over 5 German airfields.
The 46 destroyed on the ground plus five in the air and two probables along with 81+ damaged aircraft (mostly NJG twin engine a/c) for the loss of 3 Mustangs and pilots earned the 355th their first DUC.
His personal leadership style was was lead from the front and if the choice was go for the Luftwaffe or stick with the bombers, he made sure his group kept them covered.
Cummings passed away yesterday in San Antonio.
RIP
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