2nd Lt. Orville Blythe
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Squadron

Background
Orville Blythe was born in 1921 in Pottawatomie County in Oklahoma. He graduated high school, attended one year of college and worked as a welder.

Wartime Historyin
On April 6, 1942 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a private with serial number 18087016. He earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Hades".

On August 16, 1943 took off piloting P-38 Lightning on an escort mission for C-47s transporting aviation fuel and supplies to Tsili-Tsili Airfield and Marilinan Airfield.The escort also included 32 P-47D Thunderbolts from 340th Fighter Squadron (340th FS) and 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) on the first the combat mission of the Thunderbolt in New Guinea. Over the target, the fighters enraged in dogfights against "Zeros" [Ki-43 Oscars] and numerous claims were made on both sides. During the air combat, this P-38 was damaged and made a landing at Tsili Tsili Airfield.

Reference
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Orville Blythe
475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation - 431st Hades Fighter Squadron, 2nd Lieutenants: Orville Blythe

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