John Aitken Jr

Military
media-22449.jpeg UPL 22449 "Major Aiken, pilot, points out an interesting feature to his ground crew as they stand by the wing of their North American P-51 of the 339th Fighter Group at 8th Air Force Station F-378, Fowlmere Airfield, England. 2 September 1944."
There's no telling what Major John Aitken is trying to relate to his crew chief S/Sgt. William B Helliger, (R) and armorer Sgt Robert T Markle (L). P-51D 44-14004 (Aitken's assigned ship, pictured here) eventually received the nose art "Annie May" - maybe he's telling them where he wants it painted.

NARA Ref 342-FH-3A12384-71860AC.

Object Number - UPL 22449 - "Major Aiken, pilot, points out an interesting feature to his ground crew as they stand by the wing of their North American P-51 of the 339th Fighter...

First tour of operations in the Mediterranean flying Spitfires in the 2FS, 52FG, 15AF USAAF as a Lieutenant. Credited with two victories and one shared in 1943. For second tour, assigned to 503FS, 339FG, 8AF USAAF. Credited with three aerial victories. Completed tour of duty (ETD) 2-Oct-44.

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Annie May
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 503rd Fighter Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA 12 July 1941 Fort McPherson Atlanta Georgia USA.

Other

Crashed

Fort Myers, FL, USA 20 August 1943 Belly Landing due to Mechanical Failure Fort Myers AAF Florida Cat 4 damage, pilot Lt John Jr Aitken, 20-Aug-43. P-47D 42-74919 - 15FS 53FG

Other

Assigned

Fowlmere, Royston, Cambridgeshire SG8, UK 25 May 1944 - 2 October 1944 Assigned to 503FS, 339FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Promotion

Fowlmere, Royston, Cambridgeshire SG8, UK 8 June 1944 Promoted to Major.

Other

End Tour of Duty (ETD)

England, UK 2 October 1944 Ended Tour of Duty (ETD).

Born

Elberton, GA 30635, USA

Born

Georgia, USA

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Page 166, 339th Fighter Group History, 1st Edition.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list / Unit History

John Aitken: Gallery (2 items)