Description:
Four aces in one group. At the lower left is Colonel Hubert Zemke, the experienced commander of the 56th Fighter Group, who has won 19 1/2 victories in England, China, Burma, Russia, Iran-Iraq, and India. He has the D.S.C., the Silver Star, the D.F.C. and oakleaf cluster, the British D.F.C. and the Air Medal with 3 oakleaf clusters. His home in Missoula, Montana. Prisoner of War, released VE-Day in command of Staleg Luft #1 after flight of Germans before the Russians. In the center of the painting is Lt.. Colonel Francis S. Gabreski of Oil City, Pennsylvania, who has scored 28 victories before being taken prisoner in July, 1944. He attended Notre Dame University and served 3 months of combat with the Polish Squadron of the RAF for liaison and morale purposes. He has been decorated with the D.S.C., the Silver Star with 2 clusters, the D.F.C. with 9 clusters, the Croix de Guerre with palm, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 4 clusters and the Polish Cross of Valor. Prisoner of War, released VE-Day. Destroyed 3 on ground. At the lewer right of this briefing scene is Major Robert S. Johnson, 24 year old from Lawton, Oklahoma. On the day he was painted, he shot down his 26th and 27th German planes. He wears the D.S.C., the Silver Star, the D.F.C., and the Air Medal. Major Walter M. Mahurin of Benton Harbor, Michigan, a 21 plane ace, was carried as missing for 5 weeks, but turned up at the group from occupied France in time to be painted with his pals. he has the D.S.C., the Silver Star, the D.F.C. with 5 clusters and the Air Medal with 3 clusters. Returned to combat in the Pacific Theater 1944.
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