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The Pioneer Mustang Group’s Portland Sojourn

Lieutenant Colonel James H. Howard, seen here in a 354th Fighter Group P-51B Mustang fighter depicting his aerial victories, was a prewar US Navy fighter pilot who flew with the Flying Tigers of the American Volunteer Group in 1941-42. He then joined the USAAF as a pilot in, and later commander of, the 356th Fighter Squadron. He was the only fighter pilot in the European Theater of Operations to be awarded the Medal of Honor for single-handedly defending B-17s of the 401st Bomb Group, northwest of Halberstadt, Germany on 11 January 1944. He became the Group’s second commander on February 12, 1944, following the loss of Col. Martin in combat over Germany. He served in the Air Force until retirement in 1966, and achieved the rank of brigadier general. (Courtesy US National Archives, via Mr. Daniel Carrizales)
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The Pioneer Mustang Group’s Portland Sojourn

Corporal William W. Louie, poses on a 356th Fighter Squadron’s Bell P-39N-1 Airacobra, serial number 42-9362. Note the distinctive squadron insignia on the aircraft door, as well as the olive drab over neutral gray colors and other unit markings. In June, 1943 the 356th moved to Salem, Oregon, where they spent four months honing their flying skills before overseas deployment. Louie was discharged after the war as a sergeant and went on to school to become a prominent architect in Utah. (Courtesy Mr. William W. Louie via Mr. Daniel Carrizales)
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The Pioneer Mustang Group’s Portland Sojourn

Some 355th Fighter Squadron mechanics work on the engine of a Bell P-39N Airacobra while pilots look on. The 355th FS was one of two 354th Fighter Group squadrons based at Portland Army Air Base, Oregon, for final operational training before deploying for combat overseas. (Courtesy US National Archives via Mr. Daniel Carrizales)
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The Pioneer Mustang Group’s Portland Sojourn

Col. Kenneth R. Martin was the first commanding officer of the 354th Fighter Group and led the unit through Stateside training and into combat in the European Theater of Operations. While escorting heavy bombers over enemy territory, he was downed over Germany on February 11, 1944 in a mid-air collision between his P-51 Mustang and a German Luftwaffe Me-410 Hornisse heavy fighter after encountering eight of the type and shooting down another Me-410. He survived the collision, became a Prisoner of War (POW) and was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for this combat action. Late in the war in Europe he and another officer escaped captivity; he was briefly reunited with his group at its first base in Germany. Col. Martin served in the postwar Air Force until he retired in 1950. (Courtesy US National Archives via Mr. Daniel Carrizales)
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