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Philip Edward Tovrea Jr. (December 31, 1920 – January 18, 1981) was a U.S. Army Air Forces World War II flying ace who was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry and the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 27th Fighter Squadron. He is credited with shooting down 8 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
Early years
Tovrea was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Philip Edward Tovrea Sr. and Helen Green Tovrea. His family was involved in the family cattle business in Arizona. His uncle Edward A. Tovrea, known as a Cattle Baron, established the Tovrea Packing Company in 1919, the base from which the Tovrea family made its fortune. Tovrea received his primary and secondary education in his native homeland.
World War II
Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Tovrea joined the U.S. Army Air Force the outbreak of World War II. In 1944, he was assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, 15th Air Force in Europe. His unit participated in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during the war. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry and the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. During the war Tovrea flew a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. As an Ace he was ranked 65th and credited with shooting down 8 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
Silver Star citation
Tovrea Jr., Philip Edward
Action Date: World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Battalion: 27th Fighter Squadron
Regiment: 1st Fighter Group
Division: 15th Air Force
General Orders: Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2725 (1944)
Citation:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Philip Edward Tovrea Jr. (ASN: 0-758893), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Distinguished Flying Cross citation
Tovrea Jr., Philip Edward
Action Date: World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Battalion: 27th Fighter Squadron
Regiment: 1st Fighter Group
Division: 15th Air Force
Citation:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Philip Edward Tovrea Jr. (ASN: 0-758893), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Tables
American Aces
Rank
Name
WW II Victories
Branch
65
Tovrea, Philip Edward Jr.
8
USAAF
Lockheed Lightning Aircraft
Aircraft
Nickname
Modex
Bureau No.
Flown by
P-38J-15-LO
42-104261
Tovrea, Philip Edward Jr.
P-38J-15-LO
42-104281
Tovrea, Philip Edward Jr.
P-38J-15-LO
Lamonica Plato
42-104xx1
Tovrea, Philip Edward Jr.
P-38J-15-LO
Sweet Sue/Nellie Ann
5
43-28650
Tovrea, Philip Edward Jr.
P-38J-15-LO
43-28734
Tovrea, Philip Edward Jr.
Later years
Grave of Lt. Tovrea
Tovrea served in the Board of Directors of the Tovrea Company, a family business, which was later incorporated as Arizona Packing Company. The principal business of the Tovrea Company was operating a packinghouse and buying and selling cattle. He resigned as director on November 28, 1958. He was also a partial owner of the Tovrea Equipment Company, later known as Tovrea Motors. The company sold motor fuel and vehicles to the Tovrea Company.
1st Lt. Philip Edward Tovrea Jr.
