Thomas George Lanphier, Jr.
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| Thomas George Lanphier, Jr. | |
| Born | November 27, 1915 Panama City, Panama |
|---|---|
| Died | November 26, 1987 (aged 72) La Jolla, California |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Burial place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Known for | Shooting down the plane carrying Admiral Yamamoto |
| Children | Patricia Lanphier Mix; Judith Lanphier Strada; Janet Lanphier; Kathleen Lanphier; and Phyllis Lanphier |
| Parents | Thomas George Lanphier, Sr. |
Thomas George Lanphier, Jr. (November 27, 1915 – November 26, 1987) was a Colonel and WWII fighter pilot who was partially credited with shooting down the plane carrying Admiral Yamamoto, the commander in chief of the Japanese Imperial Navy.
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[edit] Early years
He was born on November 27, 1915 in Panama City, Panama to Thomas George Lanphier, Sr., a West Point graduate and World War One veteran. He married Phyllis of San Diego, California and had the following children: Patricia Lanphier Mix; Judith Lanphier Strada; Janet Lanphier; Kathleen Lanphier; and Phyllis Lanphier. He studied journalism at Stanford University and graduated in January of 1941.
[edit] World War II
He received his pilot training at Stockton Army Air Field, California on October 30, 1941, and was assigned to the 70th Pursuit Squadron, 35th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, Novato, California. Until December of 1942 he served in Fiji when the squadron moved to Guadalcanal and joined the 347th Fighter Group. flew 97 combat missions out of Guadalcanal in P-39s and P-38s. He scored his first aerial victory on Christmas Eve 1942 when he shot down a A6M Zero over the island. He was promoted to captain in March of 1943, he destroyed three A6M Zeros over Cape Esperance on April 7, 1942. He flew 97 combat missions out of Guadalcanal in P-39s and P-38s. He was selected for the top-secret long range low altitude mission to intercept Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto while on an inspection tour. Allied codebreakers determined the route and time schedule of the Betty bomber carrying Yamamoto and the P-38 was selected for the interception mission due to the extreme range from Guadalcanal. Officially Captain Lanphier was credited with half a kill (Lt. Rex T. Barber receiving the other half a kill) when Yamamoto's bomber was shot down in April of 1943.
The Japanese did not announce the death until a month later, and the United States did not credit Mr. Lanphier until five months later because his brother, a Marine Corps fighter pilot, was believed to be a prisoner of war. Mr. Lanphier was promoted to lieutenant colonel and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and many other decorations.
After the war he worked as an editor of the Idaho Daily Statesman and the Boise Capital News. He was then appointed special assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, and then Special Assistant to the Chairman of the National Security Resource Board. From 1951 to 1960, he was vice president of the Convair Division of General Dynamics in San Diego.[1]
[edit] Death
He died Thursday, November 26, 1987, in San Diego, California, of cancer. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[1]
[edit] Legacy
During World War II, Colonel Lanphier was credited with downing nine Japanese planes, damaging eight on the ground, and sinking a destroyer. He received the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Thomas G. Lanphier Jr., 71, Dies. U.S. Ace Shot Down Yamamoto.", New York Times, November 28, 1987;. Retrieved on 2007-07-21. "Thomas G. Lanphier Jr., the World War II fighter pilot who shot down the Japanese airplane carrying the architect of the attack on Pearl Harbor, died Thursday at the San Diego Veterans Administration Hospital at La Jolla, Calif. He was 71 years old."
