Leonard K. Carson
Leonard K. Carson | |
---|---|
362nd Fighter Squadron | |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | (17) |
Leonard Kyle Carson Sr. (March 12, 1923 – March 8, 1994) was an American
Military career
In April 1942, he entered the
World War II
In November 1943, the
In November 1944, he returned to the 357th FG and on November 2, he shot down a
On January 14, 1945, Carson led a flight escorting
You gave the Hun the most humiliating beating that he has ever taken in the air. Extend my personal admiration and congratulations to each member of you command both ground and air, for a superb victory.
In March 1945, he was appointed as commander of the 362nd FS. On April 18, 1945, he damaged two jet-powered Messerschmitt Me 262s in aerial combat over Prague, Czechoslovakia.[12]
During World War II, Carson was credited with the destruction of 18.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 3 damaged, and 3.5 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. While serving with the 357th FG, he flew P-51s bearing the name "Nooky Booky". During his time in the 357th FG, he ran 357th FG's air combat school called "Clobber College".[5][13][4][14]
Post war
After the war, Carson continued to serve in the newly-created United States Air Force (USAF), and was involved in experimentation with aerodynamics and flight testing within the USAF. He retired in 1968, at the rank of colonel.[1]
Later life
After his retirement from the Air Force, Carson worked in the aerospace industry. In 1978, he published his book Pursue & Destroy: Eighth Air Force's Fighter Group in WWII, which recounted his aerial combat experiences during World War II.[15][1]
Carson died on March 8, 1994, at the age of 70.[1]
Aerial victory credits
Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date | # | Type | Location | Aircraft flown | Unit Assigned |
April 8, 1944 | 0.5 | Messerschmitt Bf 109 | Brunswick, Germany |
P-51B Mustang |
362 FS, 357 FG |
April 13, 1944 | 1 | Focke-Wulf Fw 190 | Mannheim, Germany | P-51B | 362 FS, 357 FG |
May 28, 1944 | 1 | Fw 190 | Magdeburg, Germany | P-51B | 362 FS, 357 FG |
May 30, 1944 | 1 | Messerschmitt Me 410 |
Bernburg, Germany | P-51B | 362 FS, 357 FG |
July 25, 1944 | 1 | Fw 190 | Paris, France | P-51D Mustang |
362 FS, 357 FG |
July 29, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Merseburg, Germany | P-51D | 362 FS, 357 FG |
November 2, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Naumburg, Germany | P-51D | 362 FS, 357 FG |
November 27, 1944 | 5 | Fw 190 | Merseburg, Germany | P-51D | 362 FS, 357 FG |
December 2, 1944 | 2 | Bf 109 | Bingen, Germany | P-51D | 362 FS, 357 FG |
December 5, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Berlin, Germany | P-51D | 362 FS, 357 FG |
December 24, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Fulda, Germany | P-51K Mustang |
362 FS, 357 FG |
January 14, 1944 | 2 | Fw 190 | Berlin, Germany | P-51K | 362 FS, 357 FG |
January 14, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Berlin, Germany | P-51K | 362 FS, 357 FG |
- SOURCES: Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II
Awards and decorations
USAF Command Pilot Badge | |||||||||||
Silver Star with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters | ||||||||||
Air Medal with three silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters |
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation | American Campaign Medal | |||||||||
campaign stars
|
World War II Victory Medal | Army of Occupation Medal with 'Germany' clasp | |||||||||
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star |
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster |
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) |
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-61060-702-5.
- ^ "See Them Tumbling Down". To Fly and Fight. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Carson, Leonard. "Combat Report (30 May 1944)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II" (PDF). 1978. p. 37. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ a b "Leonard Carson (Victory Table)". To Fly and Fight. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ISBN 9780811711593. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Carson, Leonard. "Combat Report (27 November 1944)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Carson, Leonard. "Combat Report (2 December 1944)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Carson, Leonard. "Combat Report (5 December 1944)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Carson, Leonard. "Combat Report (14 January 1945)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Leonard "Kit" Carson's account of the air battle of 14 January, 1945". To Fly and Fight. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Olmsted, Merle C. (1990). "The Yoxford Boys and the ME 262". To Fly and Fight. American Aviation Historical Society. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "P-51K Profile – "Nooky Booky, II, III, IV"". To Fly and Fight. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Sherman, Stephen (June 1999). "USAAF ETO Aces of WW2: More P-51 Mustang Aces". Acepilots.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "Pursue & Destroy by Carson, Leonard "Kit". Biblio. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "Valor awards for Leonard Carson". Military Times. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
External links
- Leonard K. Carson at Find a Grave
- "Leonard Kyle Carson Sr". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved May 18, 2018.