FightingSteel1
May-28-2016, 21:52
In a little different subject today, here is a (somewhat long) write up on the only USAAC fighter pilot to receive the Medal of Honor in the European Theater.
James H. Howard
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/CondensedHistory/JH2.jpg
From U.S. Army archives
James Howell Howard was born in 1913 to American parents in China, in the Quangdong province. His father was an ophthalmologist teaching eye surgery in the area, and Howard lived in the country until 1927, when his parents moved back to the U.S. Howard would continue his father's interest in medicine, and he attended Pomona College in California with the intention of entering medical school afterwards. Before that could happen, in 1937, James Howard decided he wanted a more exciting life, and that becoming a Naval Aviator would be that path.
Howard entered the US Navy as an aviation Cadet, and began training at NAS Pensacola in the beginning of 1938. In a year's time, he would earn his wings.
First Assignment and the Flying Tigers
James Howard began his Navy service bouncing around multiple assignments. He initially was to be assigned to the carrier Wasp, but as it was not yet finished with sea trials, he flew F4F-1 biplanes from NAS San Diego. He was eventually transferred to the East Coast for assignment to a carrier, now flying the F2F, but after nearly a year as a naval aviator he still had never taken off or landed at sea. Finally at the end of 1939 he was assigned to the Big E, the USS Enterprise.
During regular cruises in the Pacific and operations from Pearl Harbor, Howard honed his skills and became a distinguished leader amongst his peers. He was very well liked, and chosen in the beginning of 1941 to receive a commission in the Navy, an honor bestowed to only one naval aviator per squadron. Remarkably, James Howard turned down this commission, and told his superiors “Please forgive me for giving you a negative answer. I have always thought of the Navy not as a career but as an adventure.”
This denial of a career in the Navy would lead him in a new path. With war raging around the world by this time, President Roosevelt authorized the formation of the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG). This order created a path for reserve and enlisted personnel to volunteer to serve overseas. James Howard would resign from the Navy after this, and join the AVG, or as it is more readily known, the famous Flying Tigers.
China and the Flying Tigers
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/CondensedHistory/P-40.jpg
--P-40, credit U.S. Army archive photos
James Howard now found himself at home. Being born in and spending his childhood in China, he had returned to the country to help protect it. He soon was up in the air flying the P-40. Due to his experience with Navy aircraft, picking up the new aircraft was too difficult. Also due to Navy experience and leadership, he was made a squadron leader. On one early mission, while strafing enemy aircraft at a main Japanese airbase, his craft was hit by AA fire and his engine quit.
“I was too low to bail out, so I whipped my P-40 around for a wheels-up crash landing...My hand was on the flap control when the Allison gave a tentative cough. I advanced the throttle a notch. She caught again! COME ON! The engine picked up more momentum.... I looked at the airspeed...ninety, barely above stall! I lifted the nose and plane responded by gathering more speed.”
James Howard's aviation career very nearly ended on that day, but instead his engine recovered, and he found his way home. Howard would have a successful tour with the Flying Tigers. He was credited with 6.33 aircraft kills, and at the time the Chinese government was paying $500 US dollars for each aircraft destroyed as a bonus. He completed over 50 missions, and his tour was very well regarded by personnel in China and back in the U.S. With the United States now fully involved in both the Pacific and Europe, the AVG was transitioning into the official Army command structure.
Flying Tigers disbandment and a new offer
James Howard flew one more mission on the last day of the Flying Tigers operations, and his last air kill was on this final day. He then boarded a ship for home, emotional about leaving China and his new friends he had made in the squadron. Upon returning to the U.S., he was hailed as a hero and had offers waiting for him. The Navy offered him the rank of Lieutenant (Senior Grade), and the opportunity to be a “battle tested” instructor of new pilots. A letter from the USAAC offered him the rank of Captain, with the aim of “intelligent use of the experience you gained in China.”
Howard took his time deciding. In his own words, he said that he was weary of service and had lost considerable weight in his spartan existence in the rural areas of China. But soon he grew restless, and went to visit his former Navy squadron in San Diego. After an incident in which he was escorted off the base and threatened with arrest for illegal entry by the base commander (he had used his old Navy ID card), James Howard swore off the Navy. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in January, 1943.
Next: To Europe
James H. Howard
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/CondensedHistory/JH2.jpg
From U.S. Army archives
James Howell Howard was born in 1913 to American parents in China, in the Quangdong province. His father was an ophthalmologist teaching eye surgery in the area, and Howard lived in the country until 1927, when his parents moved back to the U.S. Howard would continue his father's interest in medicine, and he attended Pomona College in California with the intention of entering medical school afterwards. Before that could happen, in 1937, James Howard decided he wanted a more exciting life, and that becoming a Naval Aviator would be that path.
Howard entered the US Navy as an aviation Cadet, and began training at NAS Pensacola in the beginning of 1938. In a year's time, he would earn his wings.
First Assignment and the Flying Tigers
James Howard began his Navy service bouncing around multiple assignments. He initially was to be assigned to the carrier Wasp, but as it was not yet finished with sea trials, he flew F4F-1 biplanes from NAS San Diego. He was eventually transferred to the East Coast for assignment to a carrier, now flying the F2F, but after nearly a year as a naval aviator he still had never taken off or landed at sea. Finally at the end of 1939 he was assigned to the Big E, the USS Enterprise.
During regular cruises in the Pacific and operations from Pearl Harbor, Howard honed his skills and became a distinguished leader amongst his peers. He was very well liked, and chosen in the beginning of 1941 to receive a commission in the Navy, an honor bestowed to only one naval aviator per squadron. Remarkably, James Howard turned down this commission, and told his superiors “Please forgive me for giving you a negative answer. I have always thought of the Navy not as a career but as an adventure.”
This denial of a career in the Navy would lead him in a new path. With war raging around the world by this time, President Roosevelt authorized the formation of the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG). This order created a path for reserve and enlisted personnel to volunteer to serve overseas. James Howard would resign from the Navy after this, and join the AVG, or as it is more readily known, the famous Flying Tigers.
China and the Flying Tigers
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/CondensedHistory/P-40.jpg
--P-40, credit U.S. Army archive photos
James Howard now found himself at home. Being born in and spending his childhood in China, he had returned to the country to help protect it. He soon was up in the air flying the P-40. Due to his experience with Navy aircraft, picking up the new aircraft was too difficult. Also due to Navy experience and leadership, he was made a squadron leader. On one early mission, while strafing enemy aircraft at a main Japanese airbase, his craft was hit by AA fire and his engine quit.
“I was too low to bail out, so I whipped my P-40 around for a wheels-up crash landing...My hand was on the flap control when the Allison gave a tentative cough. I advanced the throttle a notch. She caught again! COME ON! The engine picked up more momentum.... I looked at the airspeed...ninety, barely above stall! I lifted the nose and plane responded by gathering more speed.”
James Howard's aviation career very nearly ended on that day, but instead his engine recovered, and he found his way home. Howard would have a successful tour with the Flying Tigers. He was credited with 6.33 aircraft kills, and at the time the Chinese government was paying $500 US dollars for each aircraft destroyed as a bonus. He completed over 50 missions, and his tour was very well regarded by personnel in China and back in the U.S. With the United States now fully involved in both the Pacific and Europe, the AVG was transitioning into the official Army command structure.
Flying Tigers disbandment and a new offer
James Howard flew one more mission on the last day of the Flying Tigers operations, and his last air kill was on this final day. He then boarded a ship for home, emotional about leaving China and his new friends he had made in the squadron. Upon returning to the U.S., he was hailed as a hero and had offers waiting for him. The Navy offered him the rank of Lieutenant (Senior Grade), and the opportunity to be a “battle tested” instructor of new pilots. A letter from the USAAC offered him the rank of Captain, with the aim of “intelligent use of the experience you gained in China.”
Howard took his time deciding. In his own words, he said that he was weary of service and had lost considerable weight in his spartan existence in the rural areas of China. But soon he grew restless, and went to visit his former Navy squadron in San Diego. After an incident in which he was escorted off the base and threatened with arrest for illegal entry by the base commander (he had used his old Navy ID card), James Howard swore off the Navy. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in January, 1943.
Next: To Europe