Major Rolf Hermichen

'Major Rolf Hermichen 2nd Lt. with 6./ZG 1 when WWII broke out. 4 victories in French campagn, 3 over England in Aug 40. Eastern Front late 41, and back to West in March 42, Cdr. 3./JG 26 with 10 British fighters to his credit. Made Group Cdr. I/JG 11 on 16.10.43. Shot down 3 B-24s within 15 minutes on 20.02.44, 2 B-17s and a P-47 on 06.03.44. 4 heavies within 20 min. on 08.03.44. Awarded the Knight's Cross on 26.03.44. 3 last kills (2 P-51) 24.04.44. Cdr. II./ JG 104, but no active flying duty until end of war. 629 combat missions in WWII, 64 confirmed victories. Decorations include: Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, German Cross, Cup of Honour.

Captain Herbert Kutscha

Corporal pilot at the start of WWII. Posted to 5./ZG 1 with 3 kills over France, 1 Swiss Me-109, and 4 RAF planes over UK. Awarded Knight's Cross after 22 aerial victories plus 41 aircraft, 41 tanks, 15 locos, 11 AA guns and 157 trucks destroyed on ground. Italy from 1943. Shot down by P-47 on 24.02.44, bailed out severely injured. Cdr. II./JG 3 from Jul 44, then II./JG 27 from Oct 1944. Shot down by P-51 bailing out after downing 2 U.S. fighters on Christmas Day 44. Cdr. III./JG 11 from Feb. 45. Over 900 combat missions WWII. 47 conf. victories (22 in Me 110).
Decorations include: Knight's Cross, German Cross, Cup of Honour.

Captain Johannes Lutter

Member 6./ZG 1. Awarded the Knight's Cross after 150 missions with 30 aircraft and 15 tanks destroyed on the ground. Promoted officer on 12.12.41. Posted to 8./ZG 2 fighting in Russia, later Tunisia and Italy. Considered by many to be most successful German fighter bomber- and close support pilot in MTO, flying against Allied landing and ground forces under extremly difficult conditions. Cdr. 8./SG 4 in 44. Over 400 combat missions in WWII. 12 confirmed victories, numerous ground targets destroyed, sank one 15.000 ton tanker. Decorations include:
Knight's Cross, German Cross, Cup of Honour.

Colonel Herschel H. Green

Aviation Cadet in Sept. 41 after learning to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program while at University. 2nd Lt. 1 year later and assigned to 57th FG. Transferred to 325th FG ("CheckertailClan"). Combat in North Africa/MTO. Cdr. 317th FS. 1st victory 19.05.1943 plus 2 more in P 40. 6 victories in a day on 30.01.1944 flying a P 47. 5 more kills later in the war in P 51s. Ace in two aircraft. 100 combat missions in WWII. 18 confirmed, two probable victories.
Decorations include: DSC, Silver Star, 2 DFCs, 25 Air Medals, Purple Heart, Croix de Guerre avec Palm (France).

Lt. Colonel Lewis W. Chick, Jr.

Graduated as pursuit pilot in June 1938. Flying P 26s and P 36s with 20th PG. In Panama until August 42 as Cdr. 24th Sqn (P 40s). Transferred to England Dec 42, flying Spitfires, P 47s with 4th FG and 355th FG. Then with 325th FG ("Checkertail Clan") on P 47s as Cdr 317th FS. Destroyed 6 Me 109s in aerial combat. Active post-war flying career until retiring from USAF in 1958. 87 combat missions in WWII. 6 confirmed victories. Decorations include: DFC and 13 Air Medals.

Major Robert M. Barkey

After initial training assigned to "Checkertail Clan" (325th FG, 319th FS), flying P40s in Africa, later Italy after transition to P 47s in late 1943, 1st victory on 22.02.1944, Downed 2 more 109s, both flown by aces of elite German JG 26, and another 109 on 24.05.44. Flying the history-making Russian shuttle in P 51, he became an Ace on 6 June 44 for one more Me 109, this time fying the P 51. Recalled in 1951 flying F 84s, retiring as Major in 1961. 53 combat missions in WWII. 5 confirmed victories, 1 probable. Decorations include: DFC, 13 Air Medals,
Presidential Unit Citation.