John E. Purdy
475th Fighter Group, 433rd Fighter Squadron
P-38 Pilot and Ace
Background
John E. Purdy was commissioned as a Lieutenant with serial number O-745250. Sent overseas to the overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and assigned to the 5th Air Force, 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS) "Possum" as a P-38 Lightning pilot and began flying combat missions in New Guinea and the Philippines.
Aircraft Assigned
P-38L ""Lizzie IV" 44-24842 force landed December 11, 1944
P-38L "Lizzie V" 44-25930 crash landed January 9, 1945
Aerial Victory Claims
Purdy was officially credited with seven aerial victories between May 16, 1944 until December 17, 1944.
| Victory |
Date |
Location |
Aircraft |
Notes on claim |
| 1 |
05/16/44 |
|
|
First aerial victory claim. |
| 2 |
12/05/44 |
|
|
Second aerial victory claim. |
| 3 |
12/05/44 |
|
|
Third aerial victory claim. |
| 4 |
12/11/44 |
Leyte |
Ki-43 Oscar |
Fourth aerial victory claim. |
| 5 |
12/11/44 |
Leyte |
Ki-43 Oscar |
Fifth aerial victory claim, became an "ace". |
| 6 |
12/17/44 |
Mindoro |
A6M5 Zero |
Sixth aerial victory claim. |
| 7 |
12/17/44 |
Mindoro |
A6M5 Zero |
Seventh aerial victory claim. |
References
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Purdy, John E. page 155 (PDF page 162), Chronological List: 12/11/44 (two victory claims) page 486 (PDF page 491)
P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI (1997) by John Stanaway pages 56 (profile 40), 89 (Appendices P-38 aces, 475th FG pilots), 95 (color plate descriptions)
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