Las cosas que uno se encuentra en Internet son sorprendentes a continuacion una historia de nuestra Aviacion, los P-47 thunderbolts, un "ace" de la II guerra y su lamentable fallecimiento como instructor en Maracay.
Teniente Willian R. Perez, 1921-1946,343 Fighter Squadron,55 Fighter Group
Lt. William R. Perez, Jr., USAAF 1921-1946
The commemoration of our fallen heroes would be incomplete without the inclusion of William R. Perez, Jr. Although he was not killed during the European Theater of operations, he nevertheless lost his life while on active duty on foreign soil shortly after World War II ended. Perez, husband of Gloria (nee Skinner), was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Perez, Sr., members of the Venezuelan Diplomatic Corps.
Born in Havana, Cuba, he was also the brother of Stella and Virginia. The family came to Lansdowne in 1934, where Bill Jr., lived until entering the Army Air Corps in 1940.
While here, he was a favorite of many fellow students, participating in several student body functions, social activities and the athletic programs of football, basketball, wrestling and swimming. He graduated from Lansdowne High School in 1938.
After earning his wings as a P-38 fighter pilot, he was sent to England and assigned to the 8th Air Force’s 343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, escorting B-17 Flying Fortresses in raids over Germany. Perez compiled over 270 combat hours, downing five enemy planes in air-to-air fighting and destroying one aircraft on the ground.
For his adroit action, Lt. Perez received the distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters and numerous letters of citation.
Perez remained in the Air Force after the cessation of hostilities. Because of his exceptional flying skills and fluency in Spanish, he was chosen to serve in the U.S. Military Air Mission to Central America. There he taught young Air Force pilots from Mexico and Venezuela military flying techniques. Upon completion of the Mexican training program, he reported to Boca Del Rio Airfield, Maracay, Venezuela, where he would conduct the same program.
Shortly after arrival, Perez and his father were reunited after a long separation. On November 25, 1946, his father accompanied him to the airfield where Lt. Perez was scheduled to fly a P-51 with a questionable safety record. In full view of his proud dad, he took off, put the plane through a series of checks and was in landing approach when
the engine failed. Lt. Perez perished in the crash witnessed by his father.
Lt. Perez was interred, with full military honors, in the National Cemetery, Panama. He was 25.
Lt. Perez receiving the Air Medal from the 55th CO. Col. Crowell
Cubano de Nacimiento( esto no esta confirmado aun, pudiera haber nacido en Maracaibo) aunque Venezolano de Corazon ( lo eran sus padres).
Piloto de P-38,P-51,P-47.
todos los dias aprendo algo nuevo...
saludos.