325th Fighter Group

The "Checkertail Clan"

The 319th Figther Squadron

My father-in-law, Clyde Sutton, served as an Airplane Maintenance Technician 750 with the 319th Fighter Squadron of the 325th Fighter Group during World War II. As an Airplane Maintenace Technician, Clyde was a crew chief for P-40, P-47, and P-51 aircraft. Duties included the supervision of the servicing, repair and maintenance of these aircraft and making preflight inspections to determine whether or not the aircraft was ready for use.

He entered active service on January 29, 1942 thru Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. Training included Airplane Mechanics at Chanute Field, Illinois and P-40 Engines at Curtis-Wright School in Buffalo New York.

Battles and Campaigns include Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, and Southern France. Decorations and Citations include EAME Theater Ribbon W/5 Bronze Stars per WD GO#33/45, Good Conduct Ribbon SO#42 Hq 325th FG June 1943, Distinguished Unit Citation W/1 Oak Leaf Cluster per GO#400 Hq 15th AF May 1944.

Departed US for NATO (North Africa Theater of Operations) on Febuary 8, 1943 arriving Febuary 21, 1943. Departed NATO for ETO (European Theater of Operations) on December 12, 1943 arriving December 17, 1943. Departed for the US on March 30, 1945 arriving April 9, 1945.

Clyde recieved an Honorable Discharge on June 5, 1945 after 3 years, 4 months and 7 days of active duty.

Here are some of the pictures he took while serving overseas. I will add more information and photo's as time permits. Many of the aircraft and people pictured here are also pictured in the book, "CHECKERTAILS: The 325th Fighter Group in World War II" by Ernest R. McDowell.

For further information on the 319th Fighter Squadron:

Official 319th Fighter Squadron Page

Group Photo in front of a P-51B Left to Right Front Row Miner, Moyer, Miller, Szcepanski, Gillis, Cohen Left to Right Back Row Milks, Cleary, McCullough, Sutton, Brown, Custer, Alley, Reimert, Leskovitch

319th FS Operations Tent, North Africa

Left to Right In front of Living Quarters Kresge, Meikle, Richards, Cleary, Brown

Clyde Sutton (L) and Walter Szcepanski (R) Even at war you'll notice the beds are made and the shoes are in their proper place.

P-47 #75 and Joe Nolan

P-51D named Hairless Joe This was the second of 2 P-51's to carry the "Hairless Joe" name.

A-20 Havoc

P-40 "Stud" This is Lt. Col. Robert Baseler's aircraft and the first of a series of aircraft to carry that name.

Don Stump in the cockpit of a P-40

Other 325th Fighter Group Pages

317th Fighter Squadron

318th Fighter Squadron

325th Fighter Group Home Page

Official 325th Fighter Group Association Home Page

Links to other sites on the Web

355th TFW Home Page

Please read "CHECKERTAILS: The 325th Fighter Group in World War II" by Ernest R. McDowell.

If you have information on the 325th Fighter Group or know of someone who was with the 325th FG, please contact me at the e-mail address below or leave a message in my guest book on the 355th TFW Home page.

This page was last updated on July 25, 1999

� 1998 [email protected]

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