Big Friend, Little Friend: Memoirs of a World War II Fighter Pilot

by Richard E. Turner

This is the true life story of the boy next door who went to war. Richard Turner was a student in college when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As a youngster, he had devoured the magazines and books that told of the exploits and adventures of the flying aces of World War I. When he came of age he took flying lessons, so that when war came he was welcomed into the Army Air Corps.

The metamorphosis of this young college student into a crack fighter pilot is the subject of this fast moving memoir. The reader flies with Richard Turner into the largest sustained aerial conflict ever witnessed in history; past barrage balloons, unmanned missiles and enemy fighters, on hair-raising missions ranging from the escort of heavy bombers (Big Friends), to accompanying the Supreme Allied Commander on his historic personal reconnaissance of the front lines, the first that a ground general had personally reconnoitered battle terrain in the presence of the enemy.

Lt. Col. Turner's memoirs also relate the rise to prominence of the Pioneer Mustang Group (Little Friends) as it aided the Eighth Air Force's heavy bombardment missions. And finally, his very personal book shows how a young generation endeavored to grasp and emulate the traditions of determination and courage of the preceding generation, fulfilling its duty in the proud privilege of serving.

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Richard E. Turner (1920–1986) was a fighter pilot with the 9th Air Force in the European Theater during World War II and early in the Korean War. He became an Ace during World War II, scoring 12 victories. He was named Commanding Officer of the 356th Squadron of the 354th Fighter Group in February 1944. He wrote of his experience in Mustang Pilot, first published in 1969.

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all of its 170 pages, "BIG FRIEND, LITTLE FRIEND: Memoirs of a World War II Fighter Pilot" is one of the best of its kind that I've yet had the pleasure of reading. Turner takes the reader along with him as he enters the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang fighter to undertake missions over German-occupied Europe, either providing bomber escort for the Eighth Air Force's B-17 and B-24 bomber groups or undertaking highly dangerous low-level dive bombing attacks on enemy airfields, emplacements, and railway junctions which were stoutly defended by fierce anti-aircraft fire. He also gives the reader the palpable feel of fear and excitement a fighter pilot experiences when he is engaged in high altitude, heart pounding combat with some of the Luftwaffe's toughest fighter pilots. At the time Turner entered combat, the Luftwaffe fighter force in Western Europe was still very much a potent force, not one to be taken lightly.

Turner flew combat with the 354th Fighter Group, the first unit in the U.S. Army to fly the new P-51 Mustang into combat, between December 1943 and September 1944. He emerged from the War as a double ace, with 12 German planes to his credit. He reverted to reserve status in the Air Force, completed his college education, married, and with the start of the Korean War, returned to combat flying F-86 Sabre fighters in 1951-52 with the Fourth Fighter Wing and tangling with MIG fighters over North Korea.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the only fighter pilot recipient of the medal of honor in the ETO. He was my uncle's squadron leader, 356th SQ the 354th Pioneer Mustang Group. 354thpmfg.com
So very proud of all of the "Greatest Generation".