Sting of the Yellow Jackets Robert Bailey
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 Lt.
Col. Joe Kruzel's
military career began as an Aviation Cadet in May 1940. His first
assignment was to the Philippines, where he flew P-40's in the 17th
Pursuit Squadron when the Japanese attacked in December 1941. During
the first year of war, he was credited with destroying 3 Japanese
fighters. On his return to the U.S. as a Captain, he became a P-47
Squadron Commander at Richmond, Virginia, where he was later chosen
to be the Executive Officer of the 361st Fighter Group, which went
to England in November 1943. In Europe, he was credited with destroying
3 and ½ German fighters. He became Fighter Group Commander
of the 361st in September 1944. Other commands include F-100 Fighter
Wing and an F-100 Air Division. Key staff posts were in Operations
at Headquarters PACAF and at Headquarters USAF, Pentagon. Medals awarded
were Silver Star with two O.L.C.'s, Distinguished Flying Cross with
O.L.C., Distinguished Service Medal and Presidential Unit Citation.
He retired in August 1970 and a Major General. |
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 1st
Lt. David Carl Landin
joined the U.S. Army in May of 1941. Serving with the Field Artillery.
He then became an Air Cadet and completed his training at Foster Field,
Texas. He hen joined the newly formed 361st Fighter Group in the 376th
Fighter Squadron, stationed at Bottisham, England. He began combat
operations in January 1944, eventually completing 83 missions. This
included D-Day and escorting "Heavies" to Berlin. He received
the Distinguished Flying Cross with an O.L.C., and the Air Medal with
5 O.L.C.'s. Although he left active service in 1945, he stayed in
the active reserves, retiring as a Lt. Col. in 1971. At this time
he was presented with the Meritorious Service Award. |
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1st Lt. Henry
B. Lederer was born in Bridgeport,
Connecticut. He attended New York University and joined the Army Air
Corps in 1942 as an Aviation Cadet. His training was on P-47 Thunderbolts.
He was afterwards assigned to the 361st Fighter Group, 374th Fighter
Squadron. After transfer to the 374th F.S. he was in Bottisham, England,
flying escort to B-17's and B-24's, plus ground support missions.
In January of 1944 he was involved in the 361st first combat encounter,
which was a fight with about 40 Me109's. He shared a victory in this
battle. Henry flew 305 hours of combat and received the Distinguished
Flying Cross with 2 O.L.C.'s, and the Air Medal with 2 O.L.C.'s. He
was an "Eager Beaver" and the first to finish this tour
of duty and be rotated home. He had completed 92 missions. |
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 Capt.
George Lichter joined
the 361st Fighter Group, 374th Fighter Squadron at Richmond Army Base
in May 1943. The Group departed for overseas in November 1943 on the
liner Queen Elizabeth. Captain Lichter flew 88 combat missions and
was credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft, 1 probable and 3 damaged.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal and attained
the position of Squadron Flight Leader. After returning to the states
in December 1944 upon completing his combat, Captain Lichter joined
the Israeli Air Force in 1948 where he flew combat in the Messerschmitt
109 and Supermarine Spitfire. This was during the Israeli War of Independence.
When this war ended, he trained fighter pilots and was head of the
Israeli Advanced Flying School. He became chief instructor in 1950
and returned to the States in 1951. |
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 1st
Lt. Leslie W. "Bill" May
enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March 1942.
He graduated from Foster Field, Texas, in May of 1943. After transition
to fighters he was transferred to the 376th Fighter Squadron at Langley
Field, Virginia. Bill was one of the original pilots of the 361st,
arriving at Bottisham, England, in November 1943. He flew 93 missions,
including escort on the first trip to Berlin and fighter cover during
the D-Day invasion of Europe. He completed his tour of 300 hours of
combat with the group in August of 1944. 1st Lt. Bill May was awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross with one O.L.C., and the Air Medal
with three O.L.C's. |
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 1st
Lt. Robert C. "Chuck" Wright
was born in Williston, North Dakota. He received
his pilot's wings in April 1943 and was assigned to the 375th Fighter
Squadron, 361st Fighter Group and was one of their original pilots.
He flew 83 combat missions. Score was 3and ½ aircraft destroyed
in the air, and 4 on the ground. Chuck was awarded the Silver Star,
Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 O.L.C.'s, and the Air Medal with
3 O.L.C.'s. His service career lasted 20 years, the last 7 of which
were with the 27th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. He retired as a Lt.
Col. In 1962. |
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Signatures on the Group Edition |
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