USAAF Fighter pilots, 7 Dec 1941, Rest in Peace

[David_Aiken]

With the passing last week of Ken Taylor, all of the following named men who flew over Oahu during the Pearl Harbor Attack have 'gone west'.

Ah, yes! We had some fighters in the air...a rare few:
Taylor got one VAL on his first flight and shared one VAL with Welch; then one more VAL on his second but got credit for only two.

Welch claimed two VALs on his first flight, but one was a share with Taylor, and two planes (one was a VAL) on his second mission and got credit for four.

John Dains got in the air next and about ten years ago we learned he shot down a VAL. He was killed on his second flight by Schofield Barracks fire (ala the scene in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY) as he was trying to land at nearby Wheeler Field.

Harry Brown and Bob Rogers attacked a VAL, both put in claims but the plane went down.

Brown joined up with Mike Moore to attack two planes, years later we find they were Zeros. Both Zeros never returned to their carriers.

George Whiteman got his wheels off the ground just as Zeros hit the airfield. He crashed at the end of the runway. Whiteman AFB, MO is in his memory.

Sam Bishop was able to get in the air immediately after Whiteman, with the attacking Zeros diverted by Whiteman. However, he did not make it far as the Zeros caught up with him. Wounded he crashed off shore and waded ashore.

Four P-36s [Lew Sanders, John Thacker, Gordon Sterling, Phil Rasmussen] got in the air from Wheeler and were vectored to Kaneohe, where they bounced SIX Zeros! Two MORE Zeros joined the fray! Gordon Sterling was lost and is STILL MIA.

John Webster attacked a pair of fighters with his P-40, but was wounded for the effort.

Fred Shifflet made a circle of Pearl Harbor to seek out enemy aircraft, flew over Hickam Field and was filled with AA fire. He deadsticked the P-40 back to Wheeler Field to land on flat tires.

William Haney got hit by Pearl Harbor fire on BOTH of his sorties and had to return to Wheeler each time with a dead engine.

Woodrow Willmot, Aaron Tyer, Francis Gabreski, and Henry Lawrence avoided Pearl Harbor fire, but never saw the enemy. Gabreski ended WWII as the highest European Theater of Operations ace.

A sortie of 25 fighter pilots got airborne at 0930 just after Wheeler was strafed. Names are still sought...there MAY be someone yet still living.

YOUR help is appreciated!
Cheers,
David Aiken, a director: Pearl Harbor History Associates, Inc.

[Jack Cook]

David,
Sam Hitchcock of the 6th Pursuit Squadron was on that sortie in a P-36. I
saw the entry in his form 5. He said they had .30s only and added his flight straffed a boat off shore but only added that they were jumpy and trigger happy has was everyone on the ground. Sam was a trulky great guy but passed away about 10 years ago. John Little, Homer Forsythe
and Al Johnson were possibly on the flight also.

[oscardeuce]

Gordon Sterling was lost and is STILL MIA

Anyone looking for his plane?

TIGHAR, would seem to be up their alley.

[lmritger]

Oscar, I don't think TIGHAR would get involved unless Sterling was smuggling Amelia Earhart in the aft fuselage of his P-36.

Get Ballard and his crew involved, if it's to be found, they'll come up with it.

Lynn

[David_Aiken]

Gordon Sterling...MIA

http://www.flightjournal.com/articles/lost_p-36/sterling1.asp

The Japanese pilot who shot Sterling down was Iyozo Fujita, who died just two weeks ago. He had been a HUGE help in the quest for recovery of Sterling. Since 1975, I have worked with CILHI and now JPAC http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/ and they have the location as well spotted as possible, given the "X" is on TOP of the ocean.

With every participant in that P-36 vs Zero action now deceased, Phil Rassmussen Junior has made the obligation to escort Gordon for burial, which his father made to Gordon, as "his".

Gordon's brother, John Sterling, is still waiting...but not for long as he is not in good health either.

JPAC is well aware of the Gordon Sterling "BNR" status and has other pending recoveries on the list as well.
Cheers,
David

[David_Aiken]

David,
Sam Hitchcock of the 6th Pursuit Squadron was on that sortie in a P-36. I
saw the entry in his form 5. He said they had .30s only and added his flight straffed a boat off shore but only added that they were jumpy and trigger happy has was everyone on the ground. Sam was a trulky great guy but passed away about 10 years ago. John Little, Homer Forsythe
and Al Johnson were possibly on the flight also.

Thanx Jack,
The small list is slowly growing...and your additions are greatly welcome!
Mahalo nui loa,
David