| Ernest Edward Bankey Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 28, 1920 Cleveland, Ohio |
| Died | June 15, 2009 (aged 88) Newbury Park, California |
| Buried at | Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo, California. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | U.S. Army Air Corps United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1946 1953–1968 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal Croix de guerre |
| Other work | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
Ernest Edward Bankey Jr. (August 28, 1920 – June 15, 2009) was an American World War II triple Ace and an Ace in a day who ended his career in the United States Air Force at the rank of Colonel.[1]
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Bankey was born on August 28, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio, and was raised in Toledo, Ohio.[1] It was during his youth that he began his interest in planes. He began building model planes from the age of eight. He also took part in the Soap Box Derby, winning it twice; 1935 and 1936.[1][2]
Bankey joined the Army Air Corps at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio, on April 1, 1941.[2]
As a Staff Sergeant, he taught aerial gunnery techniques in Las Vegas, while awaiting acceptance into Air Cadet School to start pilot training.[2] In July 1943, Bankey gained his commission and pilot wings class 43G at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. He did his preliminary training in a Stearman PT-13 at Tulare, California, his basic training in a BT-13 Valiant in Modesto, California and advanced training in a T-6 Texan in Phoenix, Arizona.[1]
As a Second Lieutenant,[1] he joined 383rd Fighter Squadron.[2] His first combat posting was to England with 364th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force in February 1944.[3] He was reassigned to the 385th Fighter Squadron.[2]
On December 27, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge and whilst flying over the Bonn area of Germany, Bankey shot down five enemy planes and shared another. This earned him the designation of Ace in a day.[3] He was also awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Unit Citation for this sortie.[2] He compiled over 100 sorties and 500 combat hours in these two tours of duty.[2] Banks is credited with 9.5 air-to-air kills.[4]
During his lengthy career Bankey earned many decorations including:[2]
Bankey was a Captain when, on June 26, 1945,[5] he was awarded the Silver Star for actions during World War II. The citation read:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Ernest E. Bankey, Jr. (ASN: 0-752095), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 fighter airplane of the 364th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on 16 April 1945. Having furnished fighter escort to a target in Germany, Captain Bankey, with his Squadron, proceeded to an enemy airdrome according to plan. In the face of intense ground fire, he made six sweeps across the field, destroying four and damaging four enemy aircraft on the ground. Realizing that his plane had sustained numerous hits and that he was now alone, he withdrew and set a course for base. On the return journey he observed another airfield and made futile attempts to contact he group leader. Although only two of his guns were operational, he circled the field and as three fighters took off, made a daring attack. Expending the last of his ammunition, he scored strikes on two of the planes which crashed and exploded. Captain Bankey's boldness, disregard for personal safety, and fearless initiative during this action attest to his determination to destroy the enemy at any cost.[5]
After retirement from the Air Force, Bankley joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratories in California. There he worked on deep space projects. He retired in 1975.[6]
Bankey died on June 15, 2009 in his home in Newbury Park, California. He was buried with full military honors in Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo, California.[6]
Bankey married Lillian Ruth "Ginny" Kontak on May 2, 1942, in Bowling Green, Ohio.[6] Together they had four children;two sons called Dan and Keith, and two daughters called Sharon, who died July 16, 2009 and Tina. Bankey has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His wife Ginny, died on July 16, 2009; she was in-urned next to her husband.[6]