James L. Brooks | |
|---|---|
 Lt. Jim Brooks by P-51 February | |
| Nickname(s) | Jim |
| Born | 1922 (age 101–102) |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–1951 (9 years) |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | 307th Fighter Squadron 4th Fighter Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal |
| Other work | test pilot |
James L. "Jim" Brooks (born January 1922) is a retired United States Air Force officer, fighter ace, and test pilot. During World War II, he was credited with destroying thirteen enemy aircraft while flying in the European Theater of Operations. In the Korean War, he participated in the first large, all-jet air battle. The P-51 Mustang, February, that Brooks flew in World War II was restored to flying condition by Chris Woods of Woods Aviation, LLC.
Early life
editJim Brooks was born in January 1922 in the town of Roanoke, Virginia.[1]
Military career
editBrooks entered the United States Army Air Corps in 1942.[2] He graduated as a Second Lieutenant and was assigned to the 52d Fighter Squadron where he flew the Bell P-39 Airacobra and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.[1] After seven months, Brooks was reassigned to the 307th Fighter Squadron of the 31st Fighter Group and sent to San Severino, Italy.[1] He started flying the Supermarine Spitfire MK IX then transitioned to the B model of the North American P-51 Mustang.[2]
Civilian career
editCombat in World War II
editFlight test
editAircraft development
editLater years
editHonors
editDuring his combat tour in World War II, Brooks earned the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Medal with twenty-one clusters.[2]
Notes
editReferences
edit- "Fact Sheet: Maj. James L. Brooks". United States Air Force. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
- Goebel, Robert J. (1991). Mustang Ace: Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot. Saint Paul, Minnesota: Zenith Imprint Press. ISBN 0-7603-2069-1.
- "World War II American Fighter Aces in Museum Program March 27". Seattle, Washington: The Museum of Flight. March 15, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
- Woods, Chris. "Jim Brooks Story". Los Angeles, California: Gray Eagles Foundation. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
- Woods, Chris (filmmaker) (2010). Gray Eagles (DVD). Gray Eagles Foundation.
External links
edit- Fowles, Curtis (March 19, 2009). "P-51 Mustang Survivors, February". MustangsMustangs. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
- Godfrey, Denis (February 2007). "February". Fly-Low. Russellville, Arkansas: Fly-Low Publications. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Oehme, Tom. "Biography: The Career of Martha Tilton". Los Angeles, California: Gray Eagles Foundation. Retrieved September 10, 2010.