[John Richard Rossi oral history interview (Part 4 of 6)]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_151SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeRossi, John RichardInterviewerValencia, Eugene A.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace John Richard Rossi, conducted by interviewer Eugene A. Valencia, circa 1960s. Part 4 of 6.

Text on label: "Dick Rossi. 040A."AbstractIn this six-part oral history, fighter ace John Richard Rossi discusses his military service with the American Volunteer Group during World War II. In part four, he continues to describe his wartime experiences with the AVG’s 1st Pursuit Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theater. Topics discussed include the AVG’s retreat from Rangoon in early 1942 and Rossi’s evacuation via jeep to China.

The interview is conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia.BiographyJohn Richard Rossi was born on April 19, 1915 in Placerville, California. After a tour with the Merchant Marine, he joined the United States Navy Reserve and graduated from flight training in 1940. The following year, Rossi resigned his commission in order to join the newly formed American Volunteer Group in Burma. He served with the AVG’s 1st Pursuit Squadron until the group disbanded in 1942, then joined the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) as a transport pilot. By the end of the war, he had flown over 700 trips across the “Hump” between India and China. Rossi remained in China after the end of World War II, flying for Civil Air Transport and the Central Aviation Transport Corporation. In 1948, he returned to the United States and joined the Flying Tiger Line. He also served as president of the American Volunteer Group/Flying Tigers Association. Rossi retired in 1973 and passed away in 2008.Creation Datecirca 1960sSubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryChina. Kong jun. American Volunteer GroupFighter pilotsMingaladon Airfield (Burma)Rossi, John RichardWorld War, 1939-1945PlaceBurmaChinaExtent1 sound reel (11 min., 16 sec.) : analog ; 1/4 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)open reel audiotapesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscription[John Richard Rossi oral history interview (Part 4 of 6)]

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[John Richard Rossi oral history interview (Part 4 of 6)]