David Thwaites (flying ace)

David F. Thwaites
Nickname(s) Frank
Born September 8, 1921
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Died December 15, 2015
Annapolis, Maryland
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Army Air Corps
Rank Lt. Colonel
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Fighter Ace

David F. Thwaites was an aviator in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He became a fighter ace piloting the P-47 Thunderbolt as a member of the 361st Fighter Squadron of the 356th Fighter Group. Thwaites, based out of RAF Martlesham Heath in England was the second highest scoring pilot in his squadron, with six confirmed victories[1] and the only pilot of the 356th FG to score all of his victories while serving with the group. He scored his victories using three different P-47s however he nicknamed them all Polly.[2] Following the completion of his tour in September 1944 he returned to the United States and became an instructor.[3]

Following the surrender of Germany, Thwaites was stationed in Germany and on August 19, 1946, while a member of the 396th Fighter Squadron/368th Fighter Group, his P-47 Thunderbolt was involved in an aerial collision in the vicinity of Borkum.[4]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ American Aces of WWII
  2. ↑ Scutts(1998), p.95
  3. ↑ O'Leary(2000), p.139
  4. ↑ "P-47 Thunderbolt Serial 44-XXXXX". Retrieved 2006-12-21.

References

Bibliography
  • O'Leary, Michael (2000). VIII Fighter Command at War - Long Reach. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-907-7. 
  • Scutts, Jerry (1998). P-47 Thunderbolt Aces of the Eighth Air Force. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-729-5. 
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