[John E. Purdy oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_139SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweePurdy, John E.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace John E. Purdy, September 7, 1989. Part 1 of 2.

Text on label: "John E. Purdy. 433rd FS, 475th FG. 9/89."AbstractIn this two-part oral history, fighter ace John E. Purdy discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the South Pacific Theater with the 475th Fighter Group. Special focus on a search-and-rescue mission over Leyte on December 11, 1944 in which Purdy and his flight scored several aerial victories and helped to rout a Japanese convoy.BiographyJohn E. Purdy was born on June 17, 1919 in Wyandotte, Michigan. He was drafted into the United States Army in June 1941 and initially served with a cavalry unit before entering the Aviation Cadet program. Completing his flight training in 1943, Purdy was deployed to the South Pacific Theater, where he joined the 433rd Fighter Squadron of the 475th Fighter Group. In January 1945, during a bombing mission over Luzon, he crash-landed behind enemy lines and spent 16 days with Filipino guerrillas before being located by a PBY rescue plane. Purdy left the military after the war and went on to found the Dayton Showcase Company and the American Fighter Aces Museum Foundation. He also served on the board of the National Aviation Hall of Fame and as president of the American Fighter Aces Association. Purdy passed away in 2003.Creation Date1989-09-07SubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryConsolidated PBY Catalina FamilyFighter pilotsLockheed P-38 Lightning FamilyPurdy, John E.United States. Army Air ForcesUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 475thWorld War, 1939-1945PlaceLeyte (Philippines)PhilippinesExtent1 sound cassette (21 min., 8 sec.) : analog ; 4 x 2.5 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)audiocassettesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscription[John E. Purdy oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

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[John E. Purdy oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]