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Last Wartime rank: Major
Unit(s): Theatre(s): SWPA/ETO
Born:
Killed in Action:
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Victories: 2 Air-Damaged (49th FG)
26.83 Air, 5 Strafing in 143 Sorties Decorations: Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star with OLC Distinguished Flying Cross with 8 OLC Air Medal with 7 OLC Purple Heart, Posthumous Belgian Croix de Guerre, Posthumous
Crew: 487th Fighter Squadron Crew |
Assigned Combat Aircraft: P-40E, Sq. #85, "TARHEEL"
P-47D-5-RE, HO*P
P-51B-10-NA, HO*P
P-51D-5-NA, HO*P
P-51D-15-NA, PE*P (bar) |
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SERVICE: Flew P-40 Warhawks with the 9th FS/49th FG in defense of northern Australia. Seriously injured during a practice interception mission when another a/c collided with Preddy's P-40 and he was sent to USA for recuperation. Later assigned to the 487th FS/352nd FG and became Sq. Operations Officer Mar. 1944. Later promoted to Major and assumed command of the 328th FS. KIA by "friendly fire" on Christmas Day, 1944.
QUOTE/STORY: It took us 30 minutes to make the trip. I see now how great the airplane is. That trip was the most wonderful experience I ever had. I must become an aviator." George Preddy, Nov. 13, 1938
"George Preddy was the greatest fighter pilot who ever
Top Mustang Air Ace - 23.83 air victories in the P-51. All but 1.5 Me 410 destroyers and 2.5 Ju 88 destroyers were victories against single-engined Bf 109 and Fw 190 fighters. Six Bf 109 air kills in one sortie of August 6, 1944 plus two or more victories respectively on four other sorties |
352nd Fighter Group Association
