David Franklin Thwaites (September 8, 1921 – December 15, 2015) was a fighter pilot and flying ace of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He became an ace piloting the P-47 Thunderbolt as a member of the 361st Fighter Squadron of the 356th Fighter Group. Thwaites, based out of RAF Martlesham Heath in England, was the second highest scoring pilot in his squadron with six confirmed victories,[1] and the only pilot of the 356th FG to score all of his victories while serving with the group. He scored his victories using three different P-47s, however, he nicknamed them all Polly.[2] Following the completion of his tour in September 1944, he returned to the United States and became an instructor.[3]
David F. Thwaites | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Frank |
| Born | September 8, 1921 Conshohocken, Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 15, 2015 (aged 94) Annapolis, Maryland |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1965 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Air Medal (4) |
Following the surrender of Germany, Thwaites was stationed in Germany and on August 19, 1946, while a member of the 396th Fighter Squadron/368th Fighter Group, his P-47 Thunderbolt was involved in an aerial collision in the vicinity of Borkum.[4]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ "American Aces of WWII". acesofww2.com. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ Scutts (1998), p.95
- ^ O'Leary (2000), p.139
- ^ "P-47 Thunderbolt Serial 44-XXXXX". Republic P-47 THUNDERBOLT (in French). Retrieved 2006-12-21.
References
editBibliography
edit- O'Leary, Michael (2000). VIII Fighter Command at War - Long Reach. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-907-7.
- Scutts, Jerry (1998). P-47 Thunderbolt Aces of the Eighth Air Force. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-729-5.
Web
edit- "356th Fighter Group". www.web-birds.com. Archived from the original on 2006-11-13. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
External links
edit
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