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Evening Grace Folks~

Thank you so much for today's thread . . . you've inspired me to get started on a future Foxhole about my Dad.

The next day, The 51st Provisional Squadron reverted to its original designation of 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron and joined its sister unit, the 67th, in attacking North Korean ground targets.

This was the Figher-Bomber Squadron that my Dad served in during his Korean tour. I dug up some old files and found the April-July 1981 edition of of AIR Enthusiast Fifteen with a feature article called "Mustangs in Korea". The following is verbatim from this article . . .

"On 1 September, an element of F-51s from the 12 Squadron left Ashiya for a typical mission. Pilots Maj James Peek and Lt. Ted Baader (my Dad) reported in to a T-6 spotter as soon as they reached the front line area - in this case, around Hypochon, North of the lines. They were directed to a column of infantry supported by self-propelled guns. Peek took the top cover slot while Baader went in to attack, diving on the column and getting direct hits with both 500-lb (227-kg) bombs. An emergency call then diverted the two F-51s to Hill 409, where heavy fire and smoke made it extremely dangerous to provide close support. Baader dived in once again, taking numerous hits on his Mustang from enemy ground fire. He temporarily lost control, recovered, and went in two more times for strafing runs. With his Mustang heavily damaged, he was able to limp back to Taegu, the nearest base; Peek, having expended all of his ammunition, escorted him in. Subsequent reconnaissance showed many troops killed or wounded."

I also reread Dad's Eulogy wherein it stated that these pilots fought against tremendous odds, went without food and sleep, endured the bitter cold of winter, while flying several combat missions a day to keep an American foothold on the Korean peninsula.

Thanks again for today's thread and trust that I will continue pursue a Foxhole thread about my Dad. :^)

Evening w_over_w

North American P-51 Mustang USAAF 12 FBS-18th FBG Korea 1952

Cool! We look forward to reading more about your dad.

Neat. Let me know if you need anything from me. I can do all the formatting for you if you just get the info. ;-)