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| -Obits- |
| John Alison, daring WWII ace, dies in DC at 98 |
| 2011-06-08 |
| Major General John R. Alison, a World War II fighter pilot who helped lead a daring and unprecedented, high risk Allied glider air invasion of Burma, died on June 6th, a son said Wednesday. Alison was chosen in 1943 by Army Air Forces commander Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold for a top-secret mission that flew more than 9,000 troops, nearly 1,300 mules and 250 tons of supplies behind enemy lines in Burma over six days, according to a Nov. 2009 article in Air Force Magazine. As deputy commander of the mission dubbed Operation Thursday, Alison piloted the first in a group of Waco CG-4A glider planes that were towed by C-47 transports and released to make risky jungle landings. Of 67 gliders that departed the first night, 32 arrived, 20 were lost en route and 15 turned back, according to the magazine article. Alison's military decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Order presented by King George VI of Great Britain. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #1 He was co-commander with Philip Cochran, who was the inspiration behind characters in the Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon comics by Milton Caniff. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2011-06-08 13:17 |