August 1944-EOW; /Ray/; P-51D-15-NA PI-D 44-14973 /Lady Doris/



Ray Burwell and Andy Andrino enlisted at the same time and went through basic, preflight and primary flight training together. In primary flight training they met and became friends with Bill Crump and the three stuck together all the way to Martlesham Heath.



Cadet Class 44-B, Basic at Goodfellow Field in San Angelo, TX, Advanced at Moore Field, Mission, TX; in England from 7/44-11/45; flew P-47s & P-51s in 69 missions, 305 combat hours; crash landed at Manston RAF Station after being shot over Holland during the Holland Invasion, P-47 engine quit due to loss of oil, view obstructed by oil so opened canopy & touchdowned looking out, hit runway, rt. gear collapsed & propellor hit, plane full of holes, salvaged only the clock & gun camera, Flt. Leader - Capt. Fletcher;



On 16 June 1945, Ray married Doreen Bolton, a young British woman from Ipswich. He had met her by chance at a Myra Hess concert in London and they had started going to local dances together. His request to marry had initially been turned down by Group CO Col. Tukey but somehow Ray's request reached Tukey's superior, Gen. Edward W Anderson, and he had approved it.



After WWII, Burwell was 5 years in active reserve & 20 years active duty, served in Vietnam.



Ray died in 2001, but Doreen is still going strong aged 92, and keeps in touch with Ed Nebinger and his wife Marge.



DFC/ AM w/ 7 Oak Leaf Cluster



1 in Air, 2 on Ground