John R. Alison
John Richardson Alison | |
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Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart Air Medal (2) | |
Other work | Assistant Secretary of Commerce Senior Vice President, Northrop |
John Richardson Alison (November 21, 1912 – June 6, 2011)[1] was a highly decorated American combat ace of World War II and is often cited as the father of Air Force Special Operations.[2]
Early years
Born in
I might have gone to Russia, but Lieutenants Hubert Zemke and Johnny Alison, who had also been sent to England as observers, went instead. Good men, they both became aces later in the war. Johnny became a major general.[5]
Combat
After ten months and repeated requests for reassignment to combat, Alison got his wish. In June 1942, he reported to the
Alison was called into theater by the previous commander of the AVG,
John Alison had the greatest pure flying skill of any pilot in the theater — a touch on the controls that knew no equal. His talents were matched only by his eagerness for combat.[8]
Air Commando
After returning home in May 1943, Alison was recalled to the CBI theater by Gen.
Gathering of Eagles Biography[2]
Alison later commanded the 3rd Air Commando group in the Pacific serving in the Philippines and Okinawa.[3]
Later years
After the war, he served as an Assistant Secretary of Commerce, President of the
Alison died on June 6, 2011, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on October 3, 2011. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton A. Schwartz provided the eulogy at the Old Post Chapel at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall. Following the chapel service, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented the American flag to Alison's wife, Penni, at the graveside service. Alison was survived by Penni, and their two sons, John and David.[12] Shortly before his passing, he authorized the Washington DC Chapter of the Air Commando Association to use his name and they are known as the John R. Alison Chapter of the Air Commando Association.
Awards and decorations
His awards and decorations include:
USAF Command Pilot Badge
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Distinguished Service Cross | Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star |
Legion of Merit w/ 1 bronze oak leaf cluster |
Distinguished Flying Cross | Purple Heart |
Air Medal w/ 1 bronze oak leaf cluster |
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation | American Defense Service Medal |
American Campaign Medal | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
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campaign stars
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World War II Victory Medal
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Army of Occupation Medal w/ 'Japan' clasp |
National Defense Service Medal |
Air Force Longevity Service Award w/ 1 silver and 3 bronze oak leaf clusters |
hourglass device
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Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom) |
Distinguished Service Cross citation
- Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) John Richardson Alison, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a
Notes
- ^ Dennis Hevesi (June 9, 2011). "John R. Alison, 98, Ace Fighter Pilot in World War II, Dies". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "John Alison Biography". Gathering of Eagles. Montgomery, Alabama: Gathering of Eagles Foundation. 2004. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- ^ a b "Major General John Alison". The Daily Telegraph. London. June 14, 2011.
- ^ Boltz, Images of Apollo's Warriors, pp. 41–44
- ^ Doolittle, I Could Never Be So Lucky Again, p. 218
- ^ John Alison DSC Citation Home of Heroes (September 12, 1942); retrieved January 4, 2015
- ^ Alison's mission is described in detail in American Aces in Great Fighter Battles of World War II (Edward H. Sims). The book's opening chapter, titled "Night Scramble at Hengyang" emphasizes how unorthodox were his actions, since the aircraft were not equipped for night flying, nor was the base lit; in addition, the nearby city was under wartime blackout. After downing three enemy aircraft in the darkness over his base, he ditched his damaged aircraft in the Siang River, where it was later salvaged to provide replacement parts for other damaged craft.
- ^ Hill, "Tex" Hill: Flying Tiger, p. 174
- ^ Air Commando Hall of Fame retrieved January 26, 2008
- ^ "John Alison in the National Aviation Hall of Fame". 2005. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame" (PDF). Worldwide Army Rangers, Inc. June 12, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ Williams Jr, Staff Sgt. Richard A. (October 4, 2011). "Family, friends say goodbye to founding air commando". US Air Force. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ^ "Valor awards for John Richardson Alison". Retrieved June 14, 2020.
References
- Boltz, Richard W. (2001). "Phil Cochran and John Alison: Images of Apollo's Warriors" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
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(help) - ISBN 0-553-07807-0.
- ISBN 1-885354-15-0.
External links
- Air Force Magazine The All-American Airman, Walter J. Boyne, March 2000
- Harry S. Truman LibraryJohn R. Alison Papers, 1945–1957
- Veterans History ProgramJohn R. Alison Collection, including extended video interview available online.
- National Aviation Hall of Fame Archived August 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine" John R. Alison Enshrinee Biography