Neil Van Wyk
Military
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UPL 20728
Capt. Neil "Dutchie" Van Wyk, [Paterson, NJ]. 336th Fighter Squadron. P-51B 43-6772 VF-X "The Flying Dutchman". This a/c was transferred out to the 355th FG and eventually became W/W as L2-3 with the 479th FG.
Captain Neil Van Wyk flew with both the 336th and 335th Fighter Squadrons.
One of the aircraft he flew was P-51B Mustang named 'Flying Dutchman'.
1-Jun-44 Designated Flight Commander B Flight
14-Jul-44 Designated Squadron Operations Officer
29-Nov-44 Designated Flight Commander C Flight
Awards: DFC, AM (7OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (4 x Battle Stars), American Campaign and Defense Medals.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Death Takes a Holiday
- Unit: 36th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 53rd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Yipee Joe!
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Flying Dutchman
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Flying Dutchman
- Unit: 479th Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 434th Fighter Squadron 555th Fighter Training Squadron
Missions
- Date: 21 June 1944
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Paterson, NJ | 19 March 1914 | Son of John Arnold Van Wyk. |
Based Assigned |
Debden | 10 October 1943 - 8 November 1944 | Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. |
Other Promoted |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 10 December 1943 | Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. |
Other Promoted |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 13 February 1944 | Promoted to 1st Lieutenant. |
Other Promoted |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 10 June 1944 | Promoted to Captain. |
Other Transferred |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 8 November 1944 - 27 February 1945 | Transferred to 335FS, 4Fg, 8AF USAAF. End Tour of Duty (ETD). |
Died |
Naples, FL, USA | 8 February 1979 | |
Buried |
Trinity-By-The-Cove Episcopal Church Cemetery Naples, Collier County, FL | 11 February 1979 | Trinity-By-The-Cove Episcopal Church Cemetery Naples, Collier County, Florida |