John B. England
Encyclopedia
John Brooke England was a World War II fighter ace
in the 357th Fighter Group
and a career fighter pilot in the United States Air Force
.
. After graduating from Caruthersville High School on 16 May 1940, he worked as a bookkeeper and later he marketed various agricultural commodities. Growing up on the banks of the Mississippi River, his favorite hobby was fishing.
After the war started, he enlisted in the US Army on 1 April 1942. He was accepted into aviation cadet training and was sent to Yuma, Arizona
where his flight instructor was future U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Barry Goldwater
. He completed his flying training on 9 March 1943. He was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and received his pilot’s wings on 10 March 1943.
After this training, he was assigned to the 362d Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group
which was then flying the P-39 Airacobra. The 357th moved to Santa Rosa, California
and then moved for additional training to Oroville, California
in August 1943. After additional moves and training in other states, the personnel of the 357th boarded the RMS Queen Elizabeth
and sailed from New York
on 23 November 1943.
and after transitioning to the P-51 Mustang
, they flew their first combat mission on 11 February 1944. John was promoted to 1st Lt. on 26 October 1943 and by the time he was promoted to Captain on 28 April 1944 he already had 6.5 aerial credits. After his first victory on 8 March 1944, he attained the status of “Ace”
in only forty-eight days.
He took command of the 362d Fighter Squadron on 25 August 1944 and continued as the squadron commander until 8 April 1945. He was promoted to Major on 4 December 1944 and continued to fly combat sorties achieving his last aerial victory on 14 January 1945 for a total of 17.5 enemy aircraft destroyed in flight.
After the war, Major England stayed in the Air Force. On 5 June 1949, he married Marilyn Ruth Boswell and they had three children. He served briefly in the Korean war flying six combat missions and on 20 February 1951, he was promoted to Lt Col.
In October 1953, he was assigned to Alexandria Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana
as commander of the 389th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
where he flew the F-86 Sabre
. The squadron deployed to Toul-Rosières Air Base
, France
in the fall of 1954. From Toul, he flew a mission for gunnery practice near Tripoli, Libya
. He was then returning to Toul from Marseille, France
on 17 November 1954. Due to bad weather and low visibility, he made several attempts to land and on his final approach his engine flamed out due to lack of fuel. As he attempted to land without power he was killed while trying to avoid a barracks building. For this selfless act, Alexandria AFB was renamed England Air Force Base
.
He was the leading ace of World War II from Missouri and England City Park in Caruthersville, Missouri
has a memorial in his honor. Part of the inscription on the plaque reads "This memorial of Colonel England is dedicated to and represents the highest tradition of American fighting men lost in wars fought for the preservation of our freedoms."
Col. England was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
on 30 November 1954.
Command pilot
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
in the 357th Fighter Group
357th Fighter Group
The 357th Fighter Group was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. The 357th operated P-51 Mustang aircraft as part of the U.S. Eighth Air Force and its members were known unofficially as "The Yoxford Boys" after a village near their base...
and a career fighter pilot in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
.
Biography
He was the son of Bidker H. and Pearl J. England of Caruthersville, MissouriCaruthersville, Missouri
Caruthersville is the most populous city and county seat of Pemiscot County, located along the Mississippi River in the bootheel of southeastern Missouri in the United States. The population was 6,760 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. After graduating from Caruthersville High School on 16 May 1940, he worked as a bookkeeper and later he marketed various agricultural commodities. Growing up on the banks of the Mississippi River, his favorite hobby was fishing.
After the war started, he enlisted in the US Army on 1 April 1942. He was accepted into aviation cadet training and was sent to Yuma, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
where his flight instructor was future U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater
Barry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...
. He completed his flying training on 9 March 1943. He was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and received his pilot’s wings on 10 March 1943.
After this training, he was assigned to the 362d Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group
357th Fighter Group
The 357th Fighter Group was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. The 357th operated P-51 Mustang aircraft as part of the U.S. Eighth Air Force and its members were known unofficially as "The Yoxford Boys" after a village near their base...
which was then flying the P-39 Airacobra. The 357th moved to Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. The 2010 census reported a population of 167,815. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Wine Country and fifth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area, after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont and 26th...
and then moved for additional training to Oroville, California
Oroville, California
Oroville is the county seat of Butte County, California. The population was 15,506 at the 2010 census, up from 13,004 at the 2000 census...
in August 1943. After additional moves and training in other states, the personnel of the 357th boarded the RMS Queen Elizabeth
RMS Queen Elizabeth
RMS Queen Elizabeth was an ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line. Plying with her running mate Queen Mary as a luxury liner between Southampton, UK and New York City, USA via Cherbourg, France, she was also contracted for over twenty years to carry the Royal Mail as the second half of the two...
and sailed from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on 23 November 1943.
World War II
The unit was assigned to RAF LeistonRAF Leiston
RAF Leiston is a former airfield in the United Kingdom. The airfield is located northwest of Leiston and south of Theberton in Suffolk.-USAAF use:...
and after transitioning to the P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
, they flew their first combat mission on 11 February 1944. John was promoted to 1st Lt. on 26 October 1943 and by the time he was promoted to Captain on 28 April 1944 he already had 6.5 aerial credits. After his first victory on 8 March 1944, he attained the status of “Ace”
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
in only forty-eight days.
He took command of the 362d Fighter Squadron on 25 August 1944 and continued as the squadron commander until 8 April 1945. He was promoted to Major on 4 December 1944 and continued to fly combat sorties achieving his last aerial victory on 14 January 1945 for a total of 17.5 enemy aircraft destroyed in flight.
Summary of Enemy Aircraft Damaged/Destroyed
| Date | |Air/Ground | |Type | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 March 1944 | 20 miles south of Stuttgart, Germany | Air | 1 | Me-110 | Destroyed |
| 11 April 1944 | 20 miles northeast of Magdeburg, Germany | Air | 0.5 | Me-109 | Destroyed |
| 13 April 1944 | West of Mannheim, Germany | Air | 1 | FW-190 | Destroyed |
| 24 April 1944 | South of Munich, Germany | Air | 3 | Me-110 | Destroyed |
| 27 May 1944 | North of Strasbourg, France | Air | 1 | Me-109 | Damaged |
| 18 August 1944 | 20 miles northeast of Paris, France | Air | 0.5 | Me-109 | Destroyed |
| 13 September 1944 | South of Nordhausen, Germany | Air | 2.5 | Me-109 | Destroyed |
| 6 October 1944 | 20 miles northwest of Berlin, Germany | Air | 1 | Me-109 | Damaged |
| 6 October 1944 | 20 miles northwest of Berlin, Germany | Air | 2 | Me-109 | Destroyed |
| 27 November 1944 | South of Magdeburg, Germany | Air | 4 | FW-190 | Destroyed |
| 14 January 1945 | 20 miles northwest of Berlin, Germany | Air | 1 | Me-109 | Destroyed |
| 25 January 1952 | Korea | Air | 1 | Mig-15 | Damaged |
-
- All information on enemy aircraft damaged and destroyed is from Stars and Bars.
After the war, Major England stayed in the Air Force. On 5 June 1949, he married Marilyn Ruth Boswell and they had three children. He served briefly in the Korean war flying six combat missions and on 20 February 1951, he was promoted to Lt Col.
In October 1953, he was assigned to Alexandria Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
as commander of the 389th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
389th Fighter Squadron
The 389th Fighter Squadron is part of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. It operates F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft conducting close air support missions.-Mission:...
where he flew the F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
. The squadron deployed to Toul-Rosières Air Base
Toul-Rosieres Air Base
Toul-Rosières Air Base is a reserve French Air Force base. It is located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle département of France, 10 miles northeast of the city of Toul, on the west side of the Route nationale 411 Highway about one mile southeast of Rosières-en-Haye.Toul Air Base was used by American...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the fall of 1954. From Toul, he flew a mission for gunnery practice near Tripoli, Libya
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
. He was then returning to Toul from Marseille, France
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
on 17 November 1954. Due to bad weather and low visibility, he made several attempts to land and on his final approach his engine flamed out due to lack of fuel. As he attempted to land without power he was killed while trying to avoid a barracks building. For this selfless act, Alexandria AFB was renamed England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Louisiana, located Northwest of Alexandria and about Northwest of New Orleans....
.
He was the leading ace of World War II from Missouri and England City Park in Caruthersville, Missouri
Caruthersville, Missouri
Caruthersville is the most populous city and county seat of Pemiscot County, located along the Mississippi River in the bootheel of southeastern Missouri in the United States. The population was 6,760 at the 2000 census.-History:...
has a memorial in his honor. Part of the inscription on the plaque reads "This memorial of Colonel England is dedicated to and represents the highest tradition of American fighting men lost in wars fought for the preservation of our freedoms."
Col. England was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
on 30 November 1954.
Awards and decorations
Command pilot| Silver Star Silver Star The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.... |
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| Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The... , With 4 oak leaf clusters. |
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| Air Medal Air Medal The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:... With 14 oak leaf clusters |
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American Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt... |
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| European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt... |
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World War II Victory Medal World War II Victory Medal The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of... |
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French Croix de guerre with palm Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (France) The Croix de guerre 1939–1945 is a French military decoration created on September 26, 1939, to honour people who fought with the Allies against the Axis force at any time during World War II.-Recipients:... |
External links
- http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_eto_aces2.html