P-38 Ace Richard Lee Interview

From Jane's WWII Fighters

Richard "Dick" Lee served in the Mediterranean Theater during WWII. In late June of 1943, he joined the 94th fighter squadron, based in Tunisia, North Africa. Lee left the squadron in May, 1944, after 51 missions of combat.

Lee was awarded: the Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross; the Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster. Upon returning to the U.S., he was assigned as a P-38 flight instructor at Van Nuys Army Airbase in California. Lee is a lifetime member of the American Fighters Ace Association.

In September, 1945, Lee left the service and joined TWA. He retired after 36 years with the airline in July, 1981. As a pilot with TWA, he flew the following aircraft: the DC-3 and 4; Martin 202 and 404; 5 models of the Constellation; Boeing 707, 727 and the L1011.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ww2
• wwii
• aces
• ace
• fighter
• pilot
• p38
• lightning
• second
• world
• war
• usaaf
• usaf
• twin
• engine
• european
• theater

[hoffagg68]

My father, Charles L. Hoffman, Jr., flew many missions with Dick Lee in the 94th Fighter Squadron. He told me that he was Lee's "good luck charm," because he was flying with him when Lee bagged four of his five aerial victories. Dad didn't do as well as Dick Lee. He shot down only one plane, a JU-52 "Iron Annie," and didn't even get credit for it. Here's a salute to the boys of the 94th Fighter Squadron; we'll never see guys that them again.

[monkeyboy4746]

It's all those negative G's he pulled.

[Grazydine]

Cause he's so cool his face could be any color and he still be the man ... :)

[kf103]

y is his face red?