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Revision as of 22:46, 28 January 2010 editGregJackP (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers24,867 edits ←Created page with '{{New unreviewed article|source=ArticleWizard|date={{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{subst:CURRENTYEAR}}}} {{Infobox Military Person |name= John Simon Loisel |born= {{b...'  Revision as of 02:00, 29 January 2010 edit undoGregJackP (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers24,867 editsmNo edit summaryNext edit →
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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 assigned to the ], ], based in New Guinea. 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. 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 assigned to the ], ], based in New Guinea. 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>, 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, Captain 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>Air University Staff, "Eagle Biography: John S. Loisel" http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/index.asp, accessed January 26, 2010</ref> <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 ]. 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, Captain 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>Air University Staff, "Eagle Biography: John S. Loisel" http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/index.asp, accessed January 26, 2010</ref> <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 ].

Revision as of 02:00, 29 January 2010

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John Simon Loisel
Col. John S. Loisel (then Maj.)
Place of burialDallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Army
United States Air Force
Years of service1941–1970
RankColonel
Commands432nd Fighter Squadron
475th Fighter Group
63rd Fighter Squadron
474th Fighter Bomber Group
83rd Fighter Group
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsSilver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Air Medal (9)
Other workHigh School Physics teacher

John Simon Loisel (May 21, 1920 – January 20, 2010) is 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

8th Fighter Group
475th Fighter Group
474th Fighter Bomber Group (after re-designation)

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 assigned to 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, Captain 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
  •   Air Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters

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

  1. Air University Staff, "Eagle Biography: John S. Loisel" http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/index.asp, accessed January 26, 2010
  2. Air University Staff, "Eagle Biography: John S. Loisel" http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/index.asp, accessed January 26, 2010
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Air University Staff, "Eagle Biography: John S. Loisel" http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/index.asp, accessed January 26, 2010
  8. Fifth Air Force Staff (2007), Fighter Combat Tactics in the Southwest Pacific Area, Bennington, VT, Merriam Press, p. 73, ISBN 1 57638 064 5
  9. Fifth Air Force Staff (2007), Fighter Combat Tactics in the Southwest Pacific Area, Bennington, VT, Merriam Press, p. 73, ISBN 1 57638 064 5
  10. Foley, Erin, ed. (1980), Air Force Comabt Units of World War II, New York, NY, Arno Press, p. 349, ISBN 0 405 12146 6
  11. Air University Staff, "Eagle Biography: John S. Loisel" http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/index.asp, accessed January 26, 2010
  12. 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
  13. Foley, Erin, ed. (1980), Air Force Comabt Units of World War II, New York, NY, Arno Press, p. 347, ISBN 0 405 12146 6
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Dallas Morning News, January 26, 2010, Simnacher, Joe, "John S. Loisel was Plano high physics teacher, WWII fighter pilot"
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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

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