The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a commentary by Joe Kruzel. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 17 February 1918, Kruzel attended the University of Scranton and graduated majoring in pre-med. Joining the Army Air Corps, he attended flight school at Randolph and Kelly fields in Texas. Soon after receiving his commission, he volunteered to go to the Philippine Islands. Upon arrival he was assigned to the 17th Pursuit Squadron under command of Colonel Boyd “Buzz” Wagner. He flew combat missions in P-35s and P-40s in the Philippines and Java for eleven months before being sent to the United States. He was next assigned to the 361st Fighter Group as executive officer in December 1942. In March 1943 the squadron went to Bottisham, England. Kruzel describes a number of missions in detail. In September 1944, he assumed command of the fighter group, which flew P-51s. He provides several anecdotes concerning various pilots and notes that one of his pilots shot down two M-262 German jets during one mission. He also comments on one of his most memorable flights and tells of the satisfaction derived when escorting crippled bombers back to England. He provides complementary comments about the ground crews and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a commentary by Joe Kruzel. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 17 February 1918, Kruzel attended the University of Scranton and graduated majoring in pre-med. Joining the Army Air Corps, he attended flight school at Randolph and Kelly fields in Texas. Soon after receiving his commission, he volunteered to go to the Philippine Islands. Upon arrival he was assigned to the 17th Pursuit Squadron under command of Colonel Boyd “Buzz” Wagner. He flew combat missions in P-35s and P-40s in the Philippines and Java for eleven months before being sent to the United States. He was next assigned to the 361st Fighter Group as executive officer in December 1942. In March 1943 the squadron went to Bottisham, England. Kruzel describes a number of missions in detail. In September 1944, he assumed command of the fighter group, which flew P-51s. He provides several anecdotes concerning various pilots and notes that one of his pilots shot down two M-262 German jets during one mission. He also comments on one of his most memorable flights and tells of the satisfaction derived when escorting crippled bombers back to England. He provides complementary comments about the ground crews and …

Photograph of Cecelia McKie standing between George Norris and Francis 'Gabby' Gabour while all three hold open a scrapbook.

Letter sent from Shaffe T. Courey, State Commander, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc., to Cecelia McKie regarding National Citation award.