Harding R Zumwalt

Military
From left to right: Lieutenant William H. Waldheim and Flight Officer Harding R. Zumwalt of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, lift a parachute down from the shelf. The 78th Fighter Group were based at Duxford air base at this time. Passed for publication 13 August 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'At U.S. Thunderbolts Station. This series of pictures is a graphic story of the everyday activities of a Thunderbolt P 47 group which includes some of the finest fighter pilots - record holders of media-377541.jpg FRE 298 From left to right: Lieutenant William H. Waldheim and Flight Officer Harding R. Zumwalt of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, lift a parachute down from the shelf. The 78th Fighter Group were based at Duxford air base at this time. Passed for publication 13 August 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'At U.S. Thunderbolts Station. This series of pictures is a graphic story of the everyday activities of a Thunderbolt P 47 group which includes some of the finest fighter pilots - record holders of the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain. Keystone Picture shows: Lt. William H. Waldheim (Arlington N. Jerey), and Fl. Officer Hardy Zumwalt, St Louis, Mo., with parachutes getting ready for a mission. U.S. Pool/F. Keystone SG 34.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 298 - From left to right: Lieutenant William H. Waldheim and Flight Officer Harding R. Zumwalt of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, lift a...

Harding Zumwalt had trained to fly Spitfires with the RAF and only transferred to the USAAF in 1943. He had been a professional trumpet player before the war and joined the Thunderbolt All-American Swing Band at Duxford. His need to wear glasses always made it hard for him to persuade medical boards that he was fit to fly. He found his ability with the trumpet a useful bargaining chip for keeping him in the air.

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

Lt. Harding R. Zumwalt and crew in front of his Republic P-47D-5-RE Thunderbolt (s/n 42-8524)
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron

Places

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Promoted

Other

Transferred

Other

Post-war career

Missouri, USA Joined the Missouri Air National Guard and retired as a Maj. General in 1971.

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
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Sources

Added " / " in the "Role/job" field to aid readability.

Date
ContributorLucy May
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Combined with another duplicate entry. This entry now includes information from the following sources:
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster on page 135 in 'Eagles of Duxford' book by Fry.

'Superman' quoting as his source: Harding R. Zumwalt

Text from IWM article: http://www.iwm.org.uk/history/10-incredible-photos-of-american-servicem…

Date
ContributorEmily
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Sources

Combined information from two entries : Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

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ContributorSuperman
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From Harding and Jeff Zumwalt.

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ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

Harding R Zumwalt: Gallery (2 items)