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| |laterwork=High School Physics teacher | |laterwork=High School Physics teacher | ||
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| '''John Simon Loisel''' (May 21, 1920 – January 20, 2010) |
'''John Simon Loisel''' (May 21, 1920 – January 20, 2010) was a ]' ], having shot down 11 ] aircraft during ]. He was a fighter pilot in the ] (USAAF) and spent more time in combat than any other American pilot in World War II.<ref name="eaglebio"> | ||
| {{cite web | |||
| |url=http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/eagle_bios/1991/loisel_1991.asp | |||
| |title=Air Command and Staff College Gathering of Eagles, Eagle Biography, John S. Loisel | |||
| |publisher=www.au.af.mil | |||
| |accessdate=2010-02-01 | |||
| |last= | |||
| |first= | |||
| }}</ref> | |||
| ==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
| Loisel was born in Coeur d'Alene, ] on May 21, 1920 and moved with his family to Norfolk, ] early in life, graduating from high school there. From 1938 to 1941 he attended Wayne State Teacher's College |
Loisel was born in ] ] on May 21, 1920 and moved with his family to ] ] early in life, graduating from high school there. From 1938 to 1941 he attended Wayne State Teacher's College, Nebraska (now ]) and the ]. He then entered the USAAF for flight training at ], ] on March 10, 1941 and received his pilot wings on October 31, 1941.<ref name="eaglebio" /><ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 114, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> | ||
| ==Military career== | ==Military career== | ||
| Line 30: | Line 38: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Upon receiving his wings and a commission as a ], he was initially assigned as an instructor. In late 1941 he was assigned as a Bell ] fighter pilot |
Upon receiving his wings and a commission as a ], he was initially assigned as an instructor. In late 1941 he was assigned as a Bell ] fighter pilot with the ], ], based in ]. By June 1943, he had flown 83 combat missions in both the P-39D and the P-400 versions.<ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 114, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> Loisel was then assigned as cadre for the newly formed ], ], the first Lockheed ] fighter group formed in the USAAF. | ||
| Once assigned to the 432nd Fighter Squadron, he began to show his skills as a pilot. Flying a P-38H (serial no. 42-66682<ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 126, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> |
Once assigned to the 432nd Fighter Squadron, he began to show his skills as a pilot. Flying a P-38H (serial no. 42-66682,<ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 126, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> named the ''Screaming Kid''),<ref>Stanaway, John (2004), ''P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 36, ISBN 1 85532 633 7</ref> Loisel shot down five Japanese fighters within his first two months and earning a promotion to ]. On January 22, 1944, Loisel assumed command of the 432nd Fighter Squadron. Loisel was known for his aggressiveness, instructing his pilots to "Head for the main body of the enemy - disregard stragglers...(and) plow into the largest bunch you see."<ref name="eaglebio" /><ref>Fifth Air Force Staff (2007), ''Fighter Combat Tactics in the Southwest Pacific Area'', Bennington, VT, Merriam Press, p. 73, ISBN 1 57638 064 5</ref> In August 1944, Loisel returned to the United States as a ]. | ||
| In January 1945, Loisel returned to the 475th Fighter Group as the Operations Officer.<ref>Fifth Air Force Staff (2007), ''Fighter Combat Tactics in the Southwest Pacific Area'', Bennington, VT, Merriam Press, p. 73, ISBN 1 57638 064 5</ref> On May 15, 1945 he was promoted to ] and on July 15, 1945<ref>Foley, Erin, ed. (1980), ''Air Force Comabt Units of World War II,'' New York, NY, Arno Press, p. 349, ISBN 0 405 12146 6</ref> he became the Commanding Officer of the 475th Fighter Group. He relinquished command on April 18, 1946 and returned to the States. He had, by the age of 25, become a Lt. Colonel, a Group Commander, earned the ], been in combat longer than any other American fighter pilot, and flown more than 875 hours in combat.<ref |
In January 1945, Loisel returned to the 475th Fighter Group as the Operations Officer.<ref>Fifth Air Force Staff (2007), ''Fighter Combat Tactics in the Southwest Pacific Area'', Bennington, VT, Merriam Press, p. 73, ISBN 1 57638 064 5</ref> On May 15, 1945 he was promoted to ] and on July 15, 1945<ref>Foley, Erin, ed. (1980), ''Air Force Comabt Units of World War II,'' New York, NY, Arno Press, p. 349, ISBN 0 405 12146 6</ref> he became the Commanding Officer of the 475th Fighter Group. He relinquished command on April 18, 1946 and returned to the States. He had, by the age of 25, become a Lt. Colonel, a Group Commander, earned the ], been in combat longer than any other American fighter pilot, and flown more than 875 hours in combat.<ref name="eaglebio" /> | ||
| On return to the United States, Loisel returned to the University of Nebraska to earn his bachelor's degree in physics (in 1949<ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> |
On return to the United States, Loisel returned to the University of Nebraska to earn his bachelor's degree in physics (in 1949)<ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> and was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the ] (an Air Defense - Interceptor unit), based at ], ], where he led the transition of the unit to the Lockheed ] jet fighter. After a staff tour at Headquarters, ], Loisel returned to combat in ] in May 1953,<ref>Foley, Erin, ed. (1980), ''Air Force Comabt Units of World War II,'' New York, NY, Arno Press, p. 347, ISBN 0 405 12146 6</ref> having been promoted to full ] on December 1, 1951.<ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> Once there, Loisel commanded the ], flying the Republic ] fighter. He flew an additional 22 combat missions. | ||
| Later assignments included tours as the Commander, ] and Deputy Commander, ]. In 1970, having achieved the rank of Colonel, over 5,500 flying hours, and 323 combat missions, he retired from the Air Force. | Later assignments included tours as the Commander, ] and Deputy Commander, ]. In 1970, having achieved the rank of Colonel, over 5,500 flying hours, and 323 combat missions, he retired from the Air Force. | ||
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| Following his retirement from the Air Force, Loisel attended North Texas State University (now the ]), obtaining his master's degree in physics in 1972.<ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> Loisel then taught physics at ] in Plano, ] from 1972 to 1985. Col. Loisel passed away from natural causes on January 20, 2010 in Plano, Texas and was interred at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.<ref>''Dallas Morning News,'' January 26, 2010, Simnacher, Joe, "John S. Loisel was Plano high physics teacher, WWII fighter pilot"</ref> | Following his retirement from the Air Force, Loisel attended North Texas State University (now the ]), obtaining his master's degree in physics in 1972.<ref>Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), ''Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific,'' Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0</ref> Loisel then taught physics at ] in Plano, ] from 1972 to 1985. Col. Loisel passed away from natural causes on January 20, 2010 in Plano, Texas and was interred at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.<ref>''Dallas Morning News,'' January 26, 2010, Simnacher, Joe, "John S. Loisel was Plano high physics teacher, WWII fighter pilot"</ref> | ||
| ==Aerial |
==Aerial victories== | ||
| {| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| |- | |- | ||
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| ==Awards and decorations== | ==Awards and decorations== | ||
| *] USAF command pilot badge | *] USAF command pilot badge | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| *] ] with three oak leaf clusters | *] ] with three oak leaf clusters | ||
| *] ] with two silver oak leaf clusters | *] ] with two silver oak leaf clusters | ||
| *] ] with four oak leaf clusters | *] ] with four oak leaf clusters | ||
| *] ] with one star. | *] ] with one star. | ||
| *] ] with two silver stars. | *] ] with two silver stars. | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| *] ] with silver oak leaf | *] ] with silver oak leaf | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| *] ] with silver star | *] ] with silver star | ||
| *] ] | *] ] | ||
| ===Other |
===Other honors=== | ||
| Grand Marshall, Dallas Veteran's Day Parade, Dallas, Texas, 2007 |
* Grand Marshall, Dallas Veteran's Day Parade, Dallas, Texas, 2007 | ||
| Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame, inducted 1994 |
* Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame, inducted 1994 | ||
| U.S. Air Force Gathering of Eagles, inducted 1991 | * U.S. Air Force Gathering of Eagles, inducted 1991 | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| {{portal|United States Air Force|Seal of the US Air Force.svg}} | {{portal|United States Air Force|Seal of the US Air Force.svg}} | ||
| {{portal|United States Army|United States Department of the Army Seal.svg}} | {{portal|United States Army|United States Department of the Army Seal.svg}} | ||
| *] | |||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| Line 168: | Line 159: | ||
| |SHORT DESCRIPTION= ] | |SHORT DESCRIPTION= ] | ||
| |DATE OF BIRTH= May 21, 1920 | |DATE OF BIRTH= May 21, 1920 | ||
| |PLACE OF BIRTH= Couer d'Alene, ] | |PLACE OF BIRTH= ] ] | ||
| |DATE OF DEATH= January 20, 2010 | |DATE OF DEATH= January 20, 2010 | ||
| |PLACE OF DEATH= Plano, ] | |PLACE OF DEATH= ] ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Loisel, John}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Loisel, John}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 16:41, 1 February 2010
| John Simon Loisel | |
|---|---|
 Col. John S. Loisel (then Maj.) | |
| Place of burial | Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1970 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 432nd Fighter Squadron 475th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron 474th Fighter Bomber Group 83rd Fighter Group |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Air Medal (9) |
| Other work | High School Physics teacher |
John Simon Loisel (May 21, 1920 – January 20, 2010) was a United States' air ace, having shot down 11 Japanese aircraft during World War II. He was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and spent more time in combat than any other American pilot in World War II.
Early life
Loisel was born in Coeur d'Alene Idaho on May 21, 1920 and moved with his family to Norfolk Nebraska early in life, graduating from high school there. From 1938 to 1941 he attended Wayne State Teacher's College, Nebraska (now Wayne State College) and the University of Nebraska. He then entered the USAAF for flight training at Mather Field, California on March 10, 1941 and received his pilot wings on October 31, 1941.
Military career
Upon receiving his wings and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, he was initially assigned as an instructor. In late 1941 he was assigned as a Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter pilot with the 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, based in New Guinea. By June 1943, he had flown 83 combat missions in both the P-39D and the P-400 versions. Loisel was then assigned as cadre for the newly formed 432nd Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, the first Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter group formed in the USAAF.
Once assigned to the 432nd Fighter Squadron, he began to show his skills as a pilot. Flying a P-38H (serial no. 42-66682, named the Screaming Kid), Loisel shot down five Japanese fighters within his first two months and earning a promotion to Captain. On January 22, 1944, Loisel assumed command of the 432nd Fighter Squadron. Loisel was known for his aggressiveness, instructing his pilots to "Head for the main body of the enemy - disregard stragglers...(and) plow into the largest bunch you see." In August 1944, Loisel returned to the United States as a Major.
In January 1945, Loisel returned to the 475th Fighter Group as the Operations Officer. On May 15, 1945 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and on July 15, 1945 he became the Commanding Officer of the 475th Fighter Group. He relinquished command on April 18, 1946 and returned to the States. He had, by the age of 25, become a Lt. Colonel, a Group Commander, earned the Silver Star, been in combat longer than any other American fighter pilot, and flown more than 875 hours in combat.
On return to the United States, Loisel returned to the University of Nebraska to earn his bachelor's degree in physics (in 1949) and was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the 63rd Fighter Squadron (an Air Defense - Interceptor unit), based at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, where he led the transition of the unit to the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter. After a staff tour at Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Loisel returned to combat in Korea in May 1953, having been promoted to full Colonel on December 1, 1951. Once there, Loisel commanded the 474th Fighter Bomber Group, flying the Republic F-84 Thunderjet fighter. He flew an additional 22 combat missions.
Later assignments included tours as the Commander, 83rd Fighter Group and Deputy Commander, 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1970, having achieved the rank of Colonel, over 5,500 flying hours, and 323 combat missions, he retired from the Air Force.
Later life
Following his retirement from the Air Force, Loisel attended North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas), obtaining his master's degree in physics in 1972. Loisel then taught physics at Plano Senior High School in Plano, Texas from 1972 to 1985. Col. Loisel passed away from natural causes on January 20, 2010 in Plano, Texas and was interred at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Aerial victories
| Date | Kill | Location/Type Plane Shot Down | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 21, 1943 | 1 | Wewak, New Guinea / Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony" fighter | |
| August 21, 1943 | 2 | Wewak, New Guinea / Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony" fighter | Second of two kills this date |
| September 22, 1943 | 3 | Finschafen, New Guinea / Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter | |
| October 15, 1943 | 4 | Oro Bay, New Guinea / Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter | First of two kills this date |
| October 15, 1943 | 5 | Oro Bay, New Guinea / Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter | Achieved "ace" status |
| December 15, 1943 | 6 | New Guinea / Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter | |
| December 21, 1943 | 7 | New Guinea / Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter | |
| January 23, 1944 | 8 | New Guinea / Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter | |
| April 3, 1944 | 9 | Hollandia, New Guinea / Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" fighter | First of two kills this date |
| April 3, 1944 | 10 | Hollandia, New Guinea / Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp" fighter | Achieved "double ace" status |
| March 28, 1945 | 11 | Tree Island, Indochina (Vietnam) / Nakajima Ki-84 "Frank" fighter | Final aerial victory |
Awards and decorations
USAF command pilot badge
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Crosses with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters
Presidential Unit Citation with four oak leaf clusters
American Defense Service Medal with one star.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two silver stars.
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with silver oak leaf
Philippine Liberation Medal- File:Philippine Independence Medal Ribbon.JPG Philippine Independence Medal
Republic of Korea Ulchi Medal with silver star
United Nations Korea Medal
Other honors
- Grand Marshall, Dallas Veteran's Day Parade, Dallas, Texas, 2007
- Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame, inducted 1994
- U.S. Air Force Gathering of Eagles, inducted 1991
See also
Notes
- ^ "Air Command and Staff College Gathering of Eagles, Eagle Biography, John S. Loisel". www.au.af.mil. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
- Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 114, ISBN 1 84176 784 0
- Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 114, ISBN 1 84176 784 0
- Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 126, ISBN 1 84176 784 0
- Stanaway, John (2004), P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 36, ISBN 1 85532 633 7
- Fifth Air Force Staff (2007), Fighter Combat Tactics in the Southwest Pacific Area, Bennington, VT, Merriam Press, p. 73, ISBN 1 57638 064 5
- Fifth Air Force Staff (2007), Fighter Combat Tactics in the Southwest Pacific Area, Bennington, VT, Merriam Press, p. 73, ISBN 1 57638 064 5
- Foley, Erin, ed. (1980), Air Force Comabt Units of World War II, New York, NY, Arno Press, p. 349, ISBN 0 405 12146 6
- Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0
- Foley, Erin, ed. (1980), Air Force Comabt Units of World War II, New York, NY, Arno Press, p. 347, ISBN 0 405 12146 6
- Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0
- Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0
- Dallas Morning News, January 26, 2010, Simnacher, Joe, "John S. Loisel was Plano high physics teacher, WWII fighter pilot"
- Holmes, Tony, ed. (2004), Twelve to One: V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., pp. 114-115, ISBN 1 84176 784 0
- McAulay, Lex (2005), MacArthur's Eagles: the U.S. Air War Over New Guinea, Annapolis, MD, Naval Institute Press, p. 85, ISBN 1 59114 479 5
- McAulay, Lex (2005), MacArthur's Eagles: the U.S. Air War Over New Guinea, Annapolis, MD, Naval Institute Press, p. 85, ISBN 1 59114 479 5
- McAulay, Lex (2005), MacArthur's Eagles: the U.S. Air War Over New Guinea, Annapolis, MD, Naval Institute Press, p. 219, ISBN 1 59114 479 5
- Stanaway, John (2004), P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 38, ISBN 1 85532 633 7
- McAulay, Lex (2005), MacArthur's Eagles: the U.S. Air War Over New Guinea, Annapolis, MD, Naval Institute Press, p. 219, ISBN 1 59114 479 5
- Stanaway, John (2004), P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 38, ISBN 1 85532 633 7
- Stanaway, John (2004), P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI, Oxford, U.K., Osprey Publishing, Ltd., p. 44, ISBN 1 85532 633 7
External links
- Adamsplanes.com: John Loisel's P-38
- Acepilots.com: Major John S. Loisel: P-38 Lightning Ace of the 475th FG
- Fighteracesonline.com: John S. Loisel
- USAF Air University: Eagle Biography: John Loisel