Willard G Gillette

Military
media-20651.jpeg UPL 20651 1st Lt Willard G 'G.I' Gillette Jr 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.

Object Number - UPL 20651 - 1st Lt Willard G 'G.I' Gillette Jr 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.

Lt. Willard G "GI" Gillette was a colourful pilot who survived a mid-air collision, taxi accidents, and the loss of his P-51's tail section in a dive. He also lost a wingman to enemy action, prior to completing his tour of duty on 25 October 1944.



Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (4OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).



Post War:

1945 Assigned 2539th BU at Foster Field, Texas

1946 Flight Instructor; evaluated returning POW’s abilities to recommend if they could return to flying status

1951-60 Contracted by the USAF as Flight instructor

1968-84 Senior Flight Instructor, Japan Airlines

1978 Retired from USAFR as a Lieutenant Colonel

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron
The wreck of a P-51D Mustang (QP-B, 44-13372) of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, flown by of Lieutenant-Colonel James Clark after crash landing during a test flight by Lieutenant Willard G. Gillette. Official caption on image: "(33SGA168-1)(11-8-44) Crash - P-51D - #44-13372." Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Aug. 11, '44. L/Col James Clark's 334 P-51D, crashed on test flt by Lt. Gillette. QP-B, 44-13372. Note small kills by canopy. Source - Woody Jensen.'
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Ottawa, KS 66067, USA 11 May 1918

Other

Assigned

Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK 1 May 1944 - 25 October 1944 Assigned 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. 1-May-44 / 25-Oct-44. End Tour of Duty (ETD). 4.5 Victories (3 air/ 1.5 ground).

Other

Promoted

Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK 25 June 1944 Promoted 1st Lieutenant.

Revisions

Date
ContributorVirginia Young
Changes
Sources

Conversation with Willard Gillette

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 'The Debden Warbirds' by Frank Speer.

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 / http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/pilots.html

Willard G Gillette: Gallery (5 items)