Willard G Gillette
MilitaryLt. 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
- 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-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
- 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
- Site type: Airfield
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
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