Warbird Information Exchange

Had a friend here in Salem named Ted Demeezas, that also flew in the 33rd in the CBI. He was in the Gorilla Sqd (65th or 66th?). 15 missions in P-47s and 60 in P-38s. Shot down in mid 1945 over Thailand and captured by the Thai Police and held in their custody and kept one step ahead of the Japanese until the OSS got him out with AVG ace Bill MCGarry I believe. He later flew 51s in Korea with the 35th FIW.

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Jack,

The 33rd was comprised of the 58th, 59th, and 60th fighter squadrons. The 58th was the "Gorillas", the 59th the "Golden Pride Lions" and the 60th were the "Fighting Crows". The 33rd was known as the "Fighting Nomads" and started with P-40's in North Africa and then were sent to the 10th Air Force in India and then to China ang Burma flying P-47's and P-38's. Initially, they were assigned to the 12th Air Force flying ground support against Rommel and ended up as a part of the 10th AF flying ground support in China and Burma and played a major role in the victory there.

You may want to look up a set of books, "The Fighting 33rd Nomads" authored by James Reed. They are a really good history of this groups history.

Let me know if there is any information I can help with.

Regards,
Scott

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

OK-I was close 58th FS. In the back of Reed's book lists Ted with the DFC and Air Medal. Also Jules Stanton whom my dad knew from hanging out at the Hood River airport while growing up. There was a 3rd guy from Portland who's name escapes me at the moment. I don't have Reed's later volumes so I don't know if Ted's adventures are cronicled in there.

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!