Dan L Shaw (WWII P38 Lightning Fighter Pilot)

Shaw served his country in the South Pacific during WWII flying a P38 fighter plane. He continued on active duty during Korea and Vietnam before retiring in 1971.
During WWII in the South Pacific and after a bombing mission on the Japanese, Captain Shaw wrote a letter to his wife describing a successful dogfight he had with a Japanese fighter plane.
The letter follows.
Today at 12:25 o 'clock I shot down a Japanese fighter plane in flames over Singapore, Malay!
And what a fight it was! It was a rip roaring, zooming, rolling, wild dogfight for ten minutes and I was flying that P-38 like I'd never flown it before!
I had one helluva time trying to dog-fight him and get on his tail 'cause his plane could out-maneuver mine so easily it was a down-right shame! He rolled out of one turn, though, and tried to make a break for it in a wide-open run towards his field with the plan in mind for me to chase him when he drug me right over the ack-ack guns on his field and let them knock me off his tail. That's one of their favorite tricks - A cute little trap!
But he tore his pants when he tried that! I followed him alright - I'd have chased him to hell and back if necessary - but we were out over the water about one mile from shore and his field, when he broke and made a run for it.
His plane could out-maneuver mine but when it came to speed he made his mistake. I slammed everything wide open and caught him so fast he might as well have been riding a damn bicycle!
He saw me catching him and again tried to turn and dogfight it out but 1 was on his tail by then and squeezed the trigger for a long burst — two seconds later it was all over.
I saw my tracers slamming into his cockpit, wings and fuselage. Then suddenly he exploded in a great gush of flame which enveloped the entire plane. He then rolled slowly over and nosed down and crashed in the water just one forth mile offshore from his own field on Singapore.
We were very low on the water when I got him, about 500 feet high, and within range of the ack-ack guns on his field but I rolled into a tight diving turn and leveled out on the wave-tops heading away from the field and out to sea as low on the water — the gunners didn't get a shot at me.

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[warwolfii]

The fighter planes were great...the pilots even greater....

Oh, Hedy Lamar is a beautiful gal,

and Madeleine Carroll is too,

but you'l find if you query, a different theory

amonsgt any bomber crew

For the loveliest thing of which one could sing

(this side of the Pearly Gates)

Is no blonde or brunette of the Hollywood set

But an escort of p-38's

[jon4721]

Thank you so very much for posting this! A generation ago, but they will never be forgotten!

[bleuocean1]

respect sir

[Beeman448]

@ritakays I posted before I read your post and hope I showed due respect to your fine Father.

[Beeman448]

Ever been in a graveyard and wondered what the people were like before you? I would like to think enough people would take the time to remember me as a stand up guy [ignorant gang thugs need not apply,as you really have to have at least a minimum IQ to understand].My hats off to this gentleman,as he succeded where I failed. I will be just another gravestone but am glad there are among us brave enough to do what is right.

[Rayhid1956]

This is how I wish I had lived my life. Some how I feel connected to war and that I belong to this era of young men flying awesome flying machines. Unfortunately, I was born decades later and my dreams of being a fighter pilot never became true. If anything, I do enjoy watching others do their flying on real war birds while I do my own flying on a digital screen to satisfy my need for speed and adventure.

[52outbound]

i thought i saw this persons head stone at Arlington cemetery in Washington D.C.

[bcthomas2h90]

Lt Col Dan Shaw was my first squadron commander at Kincheloe AFB, MI in 1968. He was an inspiring leader, a great mentor and a true patriot. I cherish his leadership and his positive influence on many young pilots. God Bless you sir.

[bostonironworker1]

HELP HONOR OUR LOST PILOTS,,,HELP BENTPROP.ORG---GET'EM HOME

[Bruno47602]

Well!Thanks-Pilot,Veteran!!!

[sakoshooter48]

@warwolfii A Pilots Lament:

Don't put me in a P-38

For the props they counter-rotate,

She'll cough and she'll wheeze

and she'll head for the trees,

Don't put me in a P-38!

[jetcat4445t]

R.I.P. FEARLESS HUNTER