James Jabara

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
James Jabara
1923-1966

James Jabara
Place of birth Muskogee, Oklahoma
Place of death Florida
Allegiance U.S. Air Force
Years of service 1943-1966
Rank Colonel
Commands 337th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Air Medal (19)
Distinguished Service Cross

James Jabara was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, October 10, 1923. He was of Lebanese American descent and his parents came from Marjayoun, Lebanon. He graduated from Wichita High School North in Wichita, Kansas, in May of 1942, and immediately enlisted as an Aviation Cadet at Fort Riley, Kansas. After attending four flying schools in Texas, he received his pilot's wings and a commission as Second Lieutenant in October, 1943, at Moore Field, Texas.

Contents

[edit] World War II

During World War II, Jabara flew two tours of combat duty in Europe as a P-51 pilot, the first with the 363rd Fighter Group of the Ninth Air Force from January to October, 1944, and the second as a P-51 pilot with the 355th Group of the Eighth Air Force from February to December, 1945. During his European combat, he flew 108 combat missions and was credited with the destruction of one and a half enemy planes in aerial combat and four on the ground.

After World War II, Colonel Jabara attended the Tactical Air School at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and from 1947 to 1949 was stationed on Okinawa with the 53rd Fighter Group. Colonel Jabara returned to the United States and his last duty assignment before going to Japan was at the New Castle (Delaware) County Airport, where he was Flight Commander.

[edit] Korean War

Jabara arrived in Japan December 13, 1950, and was assigned to the Fourth Fighter Interceptor Wing, a unit of the Fifth Air Force. By January 2, 1951, he had flown five combat missions in F-86 Sabrejets and had damaged one MiG-15 enemy jet fighter in air combat.

His first confirmed "kill" was April 3, 1951. He scored another April 10, a third April 12, a fourth April 22 and his fifth and sixth May 20, making him the first American jet ace in history. All his victories were against MiG-15 jets.

Colonel Jabara returned to the United States in May, 1951, for temporary assignment to Air Force Headquarters, Washington, D.C. and two months later was transferred to the Air Training Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Upon his request, he returned for another tour of duty overseas, arriving in Korea in January 1953. On his second tour, he shot down nine more MiGs for a total of 15.

He returned to the United States in July 1953 and was assigned to Headquarters of the 32nd Air Division, Syracuse, New York. He then assumed command of the 337th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts.

Colonel Jabara died in a car accident in Florida on November 17, 1966, just as he was preparing for his first tour in the Vietnam War.

[edit] Awards and Decorations

During World War II, Colonel Jabara was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal with 18 Oak Leaf Clusters. While in Korea, he received the Distinguished Service Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster and an Oak leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The Colonel James Jabara Airport outside of Wichita, Kansas, was named after him. Each year, the United States Air Force Academy alumni association awards the Jabara Award, named after Colonel Jabara, to the Academy graduate whose accomplishments demonstrate superior performance in fields directly involved with aerospace vehicles.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../j/a/m/James_Jabara_83ef.html"