Harold Graham Shook
MilitaryJCook Photo Collection & Archives
Hal began to realize his childhood dream of flying when, on his 21st birthday, he entered flight training for the Army Air Corp. He graduated just days after Pearl Harbor and remained in the states as an instructor pilot, further sharpening his flying skills. He was a career Air Force pilot and commander. As the D-Day invasion neared, he was offered a squadron commander position and promoted to major while still only 23 years of age. He participated in three different combat theatres including leading a squadron of P-47's for 3 missions during the D-Day invasion and 3 more the following day. He finished his USAF career leading an Air Division during the Vietnam War.
In the WWII book Leap Off he was quoted as being "The best pilot in any man's air force." While commanding a combat squadron at such an early age, he learned and applied many valuable lessons which served him well over the balance of his Air Force career as well the civilian career to follow.
Flew a P-47D-22 name: "RAE"
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Rae
- Unit: 404th Fighter Group 506th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Brétigny-sur-Orge
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Oregon, USA | 25 April 1920 | |
Enlisted |
San Francisco, CA, USA | 26 April 1941 | |
Died |
Cary, NC, USA | 16 January 2017 |