- Joined
- Dec 12, 2012
- Messages
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Some coincidental facts only I'm afraid, but very plausible. Must've been a lot of fun to be at Edwards AFB in the late 40's...You probably couldn't wait to get to work...or the club!
https://nypost.com/2018/07/21/the-untold-history-of-who-really-first-broke-the-sound-barrier/
However, the article states that 2nd Lt George Welch was awarded a Medal of Honor and a Distinguished Service Cross flying in the US Army Air Force prior to being a civilian test pilot. His DSC was for actions taken during the Attack on Pearl Harbor but I was unable to find Welch being awarded the MOH. He was indeed nominated for the above, but ultimately disapproved (the reason given was his takeoff was unauthorized-that makes sense
)
Not a good look for the author's credibility.
Welch though, kinda looks the part.
https://nypost.com/2018/07/21/the-untold-history-of-who-really-first-broke-the-sound-barrier/
However, the article states that 2nd Lt George Welch was awarded a Medal of Honor and a Distinguished Service Cross flying in the US Army Air Force prior to being a civilian test pilot. His DSC was for actions taken during the Attack on Pearl Harbor but I was unable to find Welch being awarded the MOH. He was indeed nominated for the above, but ultimately disapproved (the reason given was his takeoff was unauthorized-that makes sense
)Not a good look for the author's credibility.
Welch though, kinda looks the part.
- A replica P-40 at Wheeler Army Airfield, with markings identical to the one flown by Welch.
- His Wiki link is below, it's a quick read but very impressive to say the least. Only 6 Campaign Stars in approx. 2 years of duty? (slacker LOL)
- Flew three combat tours (a total of 348 combat missions with 16 confirmed victories, all achieved in multiples) before malaria retired him from the war in 1943.
- Went on to work as chief test pilot, engineer and instructor with North American Aviation during the Korean War, where he reportedly downed several enemy MiG-15's while "supervising" his students. However, Welch's kills were in disobedience of direct orders for him not to engage, and credits for the kills were thus distributed among his students.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Welch_(pilot)
- https://www.history.com/news/heroes-of-pearl-harbor-george-welch-and-kenneth-taylor
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