Charles H. MacDonald
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Charles Henry "Mac" MacDonald | |
|---|---|
 Col. MacDonald and Al Nelson next to "Putt Putt Maru" |
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| Nickname | "Mac" |
| Place of birth | Dubois, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army Air Corps United States Army Air Force United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938-1961 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 55th Pursuit Group 18th Pursuit Group 326th Fighter Group 348th Fighter Group 340th Pursuit Squadron 475th Fighter Group 33rd Fighter Group 23rd Fighter Wing |
| Commands held | 340th Pursuit Squadron 475th Fighter Group 33rd Fighter Group 23rd Fighter Wing |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross (w/ Oak Leaf Cluster) Silver Star (w/ OLC) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (w/ 5 OLCs) Air Medal (w/ 10 OLCs) Air Force Commendation Medal American Defense Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal WWII Victory Medal |
Colonel Charles Henry "Mac" MacDonald, USAF, (November 23, 1914 - ) was an American fighter ace. MacDonald commanded the 475th Figher Group for 20 months in his P-38 Lightning, "Putt Putt Maru" with the unit number "100" and becoming the third ranking fighter ace in the Pacific during World War II.
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[edit] Early life
MacDonald was born in Dubois, Pennsylvania on November 23, 1914. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps pilot training program after graduating from Louisiana State University in 1938. He received his flight wings and was commissioned a second lieutenant at Kelly Field, Texas on May 25, 1939. His first assignment was to the 55th Pursuit Group, he later transferred to the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Field, Hawaii on February 9, 1941 and was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
[edit] World War II
MacDonald then served in the United States with the 326th Fighter Group before transferring to the 348th Fighter Group to command the 340th Pursuit Squadron at Westover Field, Maine. On October 1, 1943, then a major, joined the 475th Fighter Group at Dobodura, New Guinea as the group executive officer. He scored his first four victories that month and became an ace on November 9, 1943 when he downed two Zekes near Alexishafen Airdrome. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel the following day on November 10, 1943 and became the group commander.
[edit] Later life
MacDonald returned to the United States in July 1945 where he served in various staff and command assignments, including the 33rd Fighter Group and 23rd Fighter Wing commander before retiring from the Air Force as a colonel in July 1961. He spent 10-years touring the Pacific and Caribbean by sailboat before retiring in Florida.
[edit] Notes
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Web
- Col. Charles H. MacDonald, C.O. 475th Fighter Group - 27 kill ace. Ace Pilots. AcePilots.com.
- 475th's Aces. Colonel Charles H. MacDonald.
- History of the 475th Fighter Group. 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation.
- LSU Cadets of Ole War Skule Hall of Honor Honoree 2003
[edit] Further reading
- Stanaway, John (1993). Possum, Clover & Hades: The 475th Fighter Group in World War II. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0887405185.
- Stanaway, John (2007). 475th Fighter Group. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1846030439.
- Stanaway, John (1997). P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1855326337.
