[John R. Alison oral history interview (Part 2 of 2)]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_007SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeAlison, John R.InterviewerValencia, Eugene A.Floea, JohnDescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace John R. Alison, conducted by interviewers Eugene A. Valencia and John Florea, July 8, 1965. Part 2 of 2.

Text on label: "John Alison. #2 of 2."AbstractIn this two-part oral history, fighter ace John R. Alison is interviewed about his military service with the United States Army Air Corps. In part two, Alison describes his experiences as a demonstration and fighter pilot during World War II, including his time as an assistant military attaché in England and the Soviet Union and his combat tours in the China-Burma-India Theater with the China Air Task Force and the 1st Air Commando Group.

The interview is conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia and by John Florea, a former war correspondent for Life Magazine. Speakers are identified in the transcript whenever possible.BiographyJohn R. Alison was born on November 21, 1912 in Micanopy, Florida. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1936 and graduated from flight school the following year. After serving as an assistant military attaché to England and the Soviet Union, Alison was assigned to the China Air Task Force, the successor of the American Volunteer Group, under General Claire Chennault. He flew two combat tours in the China-Burma-India Theater, one with the 23rd Fighter Group and one as commander of the 1st Air Commando Group. Alison remained in the Air Force Reserve after World War II and retired as a major general in 1972. He also served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce from 1947 to 1949 and as an executive for the Northrop Corporation until his retirement in 1984. Alison passed away in 2011.

Biographical information courtesy of: Boyce, Ward J., ed., American fighter aces album. Mesa, Ariz: American Fighter Aces Association, 1996.Creation Date1965-07-08SubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryAlison, John R. (John Richardson), 1912-2011Chennault, Claire Lee, 1893-1958China. Kong jun. American Volunteer GroupFighter pilotsKatyn Massacre, Katynʹ, Russia, 1940Night flyingUnited States. Army Air ForcesUnited States. Army Air Forces. Air Commando Group, 1stUnited States. Army Air Forces. China Air Task ForceUnited States. Army. Air CorpsWorld War, 1939-1945PlaceChinaEnglandSoviet UnionExtent1 sound reel (2 hr., 7 min., 51 sec.) : analog ; 1/4 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)open reel audiotapesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscription[John R. Alison oral history interview (Part 2 of 2)]

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[John R. Alison oral history interview (Part 2 of 2)]