Lt. Col. Richard C. Suehr
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 35th Fighter Group, 39th Fighter Squadron
P-38 Lightning Ace
Background
Richard Charles Suehr (pronounced "Sear") was born May 4, 1917 in Crafton, PA to parents Harry C. Suehr and Ethlenna Roehrig Suehr. Nicknamed "Dick". He attended Marquette University class of 1940 and graduated with a batchelor degree in biology.
On March 17, 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet with serial number 13013972. On June 20, 1941 became a member of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). He attended advanced flight school at Craig Field in Alabama. On October 31, 1941 he earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-428531. Assigned to 57th Pursuit Group (57th PG), 66th Pursuit Squadron (66th PS).
Wartime History
After December 7, 1941 Suehr requested a combat assignment. By the end of December 1941, he had a total of 231 hours 45 minutes of flying time including 217 hours 15 minutes of training time and 14 hours 30 minutes of pursuit time.
Sent overseas to Australia. Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 24th Pursuit Group (24th PG), 33rd Pursuit Squadron (Provisional). During a ferry flight to Darwin, force landed and afterwards was hospitalized.
First Tour of Duty
 Assigned to the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS) flying the P-400 Airacobra and later the P-38 Lightning.
On June 9, 1942 took off piloting a P-400 Airacobra and over Morobe claimed his first victory.
On June 16, 1942 piloting an Airacobra Suehr took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) on a mission to intercept A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kokutai on a fighter sweep over Port Moresby.
On September 3, 1942 promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
 On January 6, 1943 claimed his second victory. Two days later claimed two more, his score included three Zeros and a bomber and earned the Silver Star, but was only officially credited to two aircraft.
On January 20, 1943 a U.S. Army Signal Corps photographer at 14 Mile Drome, snaps photographs of fighter pilots including Suehr with P-38F "Regina I" 42-12654.
On April 12, 1943 Suehr took off from 14 Mile Drome piloting P-38F "Regina I" 42-12654 over Port Moresby to intercept Japanese fighters and bombers. On that mission, he claimed a G4M1 Betty bomber over Mount Chamberlain near Goilala.
On May 14, 1943 promoted to the rank of Captain.
In total, he flew 95 missions in his first tour of duty.
Second Tour of Duty
In late 1944, Suehr returned to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) assigned to the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) based at Morotai.
On January 1, 1945
took off piloting P-38L Lightning on a mission and ditched north of Calagua Island off Luzon in the Philippines and afterwards swam 15 miles to the nearest shore and survived for three days before rescue.
During March 1945 served as rescue officer for 5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command).
On June 6, 1945 promoted to the rank of Major.
Suehr flew a second tour of duty in the Philippines, but did not claim any additional victories.
For his World War II service, he was the recipient of numerous commendations and medals to include two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
Aerial victory claims
Suehr was officially credited with five aerial victories and became an ace. He also claimed two probable victories.
Postwar
On February 2, 1947 released from active duty. On July 5, 1947 returned to duty. On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On December 27, 1955 promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel. Later flew during the Vietnam War. During August 1968 retired from the military.
Awards
Suehr earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with two oak leaf clusters and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
Memorials
Suehr passed away at age 91 on April 21, 2009 at the North Carolina State Veterans Nursing Home in Fayetteville. On July 9, 2009 at 3:00 pm laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at section 8 site 10209-LH.
Relatives
Ruth Suehr (wife)
Richard "Rick" C. Suehr II (son)
Ralph T. Suehr (son)
Richard Charles Suehr III (grandson)
Nell Bull (sister)
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard C. Suehr
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Suehr Richard C
SUEHR RICHARD C 1st Lieutenant 39FTR 01-06-1943 Unknown Unknown WW2 Unknown 1
SUEHR RICHARD C 1st Lieutenant 39FTR 01-08-1943 Unknown Unknown WW2 Unknown 2
SUEHR RICHARD C 1st Lieutenant 39FTR 04-12-1943 Unknown Unknown WW2 Unknown 1
SUEHR RICHARD C 2nd Lieutenant 39FTR 06-09-1942 Unknown Unknown WW2 Unknown 1
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph “Capt. Suehr, Ace, Killed In Pacific" January 31, 1945 page 6
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 580-581 (Suehr)
Aviation History "World War II: Dick Suehr Flew to Defend Port Moresby" by Jon Guttman, September 2002
Fay Observer Richard C. Suehr Obituary April 25, 2009
FindAGrave - Lt. Col. Richard Charles “Dick” Suehr (photo, grave photo)
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