1940’s

The six pictures below were received just before the 2014 Reunion. They were sent by Brian Wyllie (John Schill’s nephew) and Mark LaScotte (Jerome LaScotte’s nephew). Additional information will be added as received. If you can identify anyone, please let us know.

14th FG recipients of DFC

In Training In North Africa John “Jack” G. Schill J

1st. Lt. Henry Blood, 48th FS Armament Officer

Members of the 14 FG in North Africa Front row (far left) Jerome LaScotte; back row (far left) Rupert “Sparky” Sparks

The below pictures were sent to the Association by Brian Baird, grandson of George W. Baird, Jr.

Until these pictures were received, the only information on the web site was that Lt. Baird was lost over Hungary on Nov. 26, 1944.

In the never-ending “it’s a small world” saga, the picture on the right shows Roger Weatherbee next to Lady Lorraine II.

Lt. George Baird, Jr. w/ P-38 131

Lt. George W. Baird, Jr. (KIA Nov. 1944)

Roger Weatherbee w/ Lady Lorraine II

The nine pictures below were sent by Bob Carlton. They are recently scanned pictures from his father’s (Robert N. Carlton) photo album.

These pictures actually predate the 49th Squadron for these individuals since they taken at the Luke Advanced Flying School.

The below four pictures were from “Sparky” Sparks via Mark LaScotte (Jerome LaScotte’s nephew).

We received these pictures to the from James Ritter’s son.

The picture shows (l.-r.) Capt. James Ritter, Lt. Frank Mullinax, and Capt. Gordon Abbingdon

Col. Campbell, C.O. of 14th Fighter Group

Some of the following pictures were taken at San Savero, Italy (Foggia) 1944-1945.

Modeling new Army Air Force uniforms Lt. Hokem and Lt. Hostetler

Lt. Kostrena and Lt. Jim Zingg

Lt. Ollie Bryant

Capt. Carr, Lt. Forrester (in cockpit)

Blueher between flights

L-R- Jim Riley, Walt King, Jack Lenox, Harry Greenup

Ed Baquet and Jim Zingg during WW II

Ed Baquet and Jim Zingg recreating the picture in 1990

With the passing earlier this year of Joel Owens, the four men pictured above are all now flying with Billy Mitchell. Joel was an Ace with the 49th Fighter Squadron. He was credited with five kills

Lt. Ed Baquet

Top row- Lt. Jim Zingg and Lt. Gronhand, Bottom row- Lt. Slathow and Lt. Durgin

Above: Paul Scharff, Russ Sanders, Ross Swinford, Bill Slade Mills Field 4 Apr 1942

P-38F – Lockheed Interceptor 49th Fighter Squadron Hamilton Field – San Rafael, CA June 15 – 1942 (missing from picture – Phil Works, Jack Hoelle)

49th Pursuit Squadron, Mills Field, CA 4-22-1942

Above: Top row- Oliver Hays, Johnny Caputo, Paul Cochran, Earl Wilson, Richard Grady, John Mikodem, William Barr. Front row- Frank Duncan, Soren ‘Whitey’ Anton, Norman Jackson, Lincoln Jones

Lt. Royal Gilkey 49th Intelligence Officer

On a lazy Sunday

Jim and Jean Riley

Lt. Nerney, Lt. Bro, and Lt. Warren

“Moose” Clareman, Maurice Weiner, Dause (Dawes?) (After the war, Weiner changed his name to Lanes)

Celebrating 2 years overseas. Maurice Weiner, Phil Goldstein, Edgar Combs, Bauer. (After the war, Goldstein changed his name to Graham)

“The war is over in Europe” reads the Stars and Stripes headline! Celebrating are: Standing – Matthews, Littlefield, and Raymond Mack Kneeling – Alan Cohrs, Milton May

The above picture appeared in the Burkburnett (TX) Informer/Star on Thursday, July 1, 1993.

Left: Don “Tiny” Lipscombe and Martin (?) scrounging. Does anyone recall Martin’s last name? It began with a C. He was from Scranton, PA

The following photographs are from the personal records of Harold T. Harper, and were taken while he was serving in North Africa (1942-1943). Harold is shown third from the right in the photo.

(Nine pilots during the North Africa campaign.) L-R: Frederick J. Bitten, Marlow J. Leikness (ACE), Carroll S. Knott (ACE), Richard E. Decker, Anthony Evans (ACE), William J. Gregory, Harold T. Harper, Lloyd K. DeMoss, Wayne M. Manlove.

Great shot of Don Luttrell awaiting takeoff. Note the great big squadron patch on his jacket.

Harold T. Harper being strapped into his cockpit by his Crew Chief, Michael Whiteford.

Crew Chief Michael Whiteford is shown in front of the hut he built with scrounged pieces of wood. (It looks good enough to be sold at Home Depot.) He placed it next to where his aircraft was parked for quicker access.

The following photographs are from the private collection of Revis Sirmon, who flew 50 missions while serving in the 49th from 1943-1945.

In 1969, Revis and a friend, who had also been a P-38 pilot in World War II (but not in the 49th) together purchased a P-38 Lightning, which they restored to immaculate condition. The two once again conquered the skies until 1973, when a friend of theirs, who was checking out in the aircraft, lost control and crashed. Alas, neither the pilot nor the plane survived the crash.

The pictures below were taken when the squadron was stationed in Africa. They are from the private collection of Bob Carlton, and were provided by his son Robert, who is in the process of putting his dad’s photo albums in order.