Donald Harlow Bochkay | |
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| Born | September 19, 1916 Ashtabula, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 9, 1981 (aged 64) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 1956–1970 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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Donald Harlow Bockhay (September 18, 1916 – January 9, 1981) was a fighter ace in the United States Army Air Forces. During World War II, he was credited in destroying 13.83 enemy airplanes in aerial combat, including two jet-powered Messerschmitt Me 262s.
Early life
Bockhay was born on 1916 in Ashtabula, Ohio and was of Hungarian descent. At the age of 9, he moved with his family to San Fernando Valley, California and in 1935, he graduated from Hollywood High School in Los Angeles.[1][2]
Military career
In 1940, Bockhay entered the United States military and was assigned as a private with the 7th Infantry Division in Fort Ord, California. In 1941, he was transferred to the Aviation Cadet Program of the United States Army Air Corps. In April 1943, he was commissioned as second lieutenant and earned his pilot wings.[1][3][4]
World War II
Following the completion of his flight training, Bockhay was assigned as a Bell P-39 Airacobra pilot with the 363d Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group in Tonopah, Nevada, in May 1943. In November 1943, the 357th Fighter Group was assigned to the European Theater of Operations and was stationed at RAF Leiston in England, where the unit was now equipped with the North American P-51 Mustangs.[1][3]
On March 5, 1944, over Bordeaux, France, Bochkay and two other pilots jointly shot down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190. On March 6, during a bomber escort over Berlin, Germany, he shot down two twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf 110s, his first two solo aerial victories. In April 1944, he shot down two more enemy aircraft. On June 29, he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 over Schöningen, Germany, his fifth aerial victory, earning the title of flying ace.[5][6]
On July 5, during a fighter mission over Rouen, France, he shot down a Bf 109 and Fw 190. Before the end of July 1944, he shot down two more enemy airplanes. In August 1944, he returned to the United States for shore leave. In October 1944, he returned to the 357th FG and on December 5, he shot down two Fw 190s northwest of Berlin, bringing his total aerial victories to 11.[7][6]
In February 1945, he was appointed as commander of the 363d Fighter Squadron and on February 9, 1945, during a fighter escort of B-17 Flying Fortresses of 3rd Air Division over Fulda, Germany, a formation of four jet-powered Messerschmitt Me 262s were spotted 4,000 ft below the fighter escort. Bochkay dropped his P-51's external tanks and chased the Me 262s with his wing mate Capt. James K. Browning. The Me 262s broke into pairs with Bochkay and Browning chasing each pair. As Bockhay was chasing the Me 262s over 28,000 ft and as they levelled out, the jets made a steep climbing turn to the right. He continued to dive on them, and overshot before turning right and positioning himself towards one of the Me 262s. At 300 yards, he shot at a Me 262 as it accelerated to go out of range. The jet turned left allowing Bockhay to fire at it again, resulting in a gunfire strike to the cockpit of the Me 262, and the consequent death of the pilot. The Me 262 crashed, crediting Bochkay with his first jet aerial victory. He attempted to go after another Me 262 that bounced on a group of P-51s before his aircraft's ammunition got exhausted. He had to rejoin with another P-51 to head back to base after Browning was killed in action during the combat.[8][9][10]
On April 18, 1945, he shot down another Me 262 that was taking off from Ruzyně Airport in Prague, Czechoslovakia, his thirteenth and final aerial victory of the war.[2][6]
During World War II, Bochkay flew a total of 123 combat missions and was credited with the destruction of 13.83 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 2 shared, and 1 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. While serving with the 357th FG, he flew P-51s bearing the names "Alice in Wonderland", "Speedball Alice" and "Winged Ace of Clubs". During the war, he obtained a silk undergarment and, using it to attract an English barmaid in a pub, he remarked, "Stick with me honey, and you'll be farting through silk."[11][3]
Post war
Following the end of World War II, Bochkay left active duty. In 1956, he re-entered active duty with the United States Air Force and retired in 1970, at the rank of lieutenant colonel.[1]
Later life
Following his retirement from military service in 1970, Bochkay visited his former WWII base RAF Leiston. Noting in a letter his World War II memories at the base and how derelict it became 25 years following the end of the war, Bochkay concluded the letter with the comment, "Have a good trip if you go to Leiston, and don't be ashamed to cry."[3]
He died on January 9, 1981, at the age of 64. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the San Francisco Bay.[1][12]
Aerial victory credits
| Chronicle of aerial victories | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | # | Type | Location | Aircraft flown | Unit Assigned |
| March 5, 1944 | 0.15 | Focke-Wulf Fw 190 | Bordeaux, France | P-51B Mustang | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| March 6, 1944 | 2 | Messerschmitt Bf 110 | Berlin, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| April 8, 1944 | 1 | Messerschmitt Bf 109 | Brunswick, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| April 11, 1944 | 0.5 | Bf 109 | Magdeburg, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| April 24, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Munich, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| June 29, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Schöningen, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| July 5, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Rouen, France | P-51C Mustang | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| July 5, 1944 | 1 | Fw 190 | Rouen, France | P-51C | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| July 25, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Paris, France | P-51D Mustang | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| July 29, 1944 | 1 | Fw 190 | Merseburg, Germany | P-51D | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| December 5, 1944 | 2 | Fw 190 | Berlin, Germany | P-51D | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| February 9, 1945 | 1 | Messerschmitt Me 262 | Fulda, Germany | P-51K Mustang | 363 FS, 357 FG |
| April 18, 1945 | 1 | Me 262 | Prague, Czechoslovakia | P-51D | 363 FS, 357 FG |
- SOURCES: Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II
Awards and decorations
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| U.S. Air Force Command Pilot Badge | ||
| Distinguished Flying Cross with three bronze oak leaf clusters[13] |
Air Medal with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters |
Air Medal (second ribbon required for accoutrement spacing) |
| Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal |
| European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with silver and bronze campaign stars |
World War II Victory Medal | Army of Occupation Medal with 'Germany' clasp |
| National Defense Service Medal | Air Force Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters |
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France) |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Terry, Shelley (2013-05-27). "Recognition of Heroes Takes Flight". Star Beacon. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- 1 2 Olmstead, Merle C. (1999). "The Yoxford Boys and the Me 262s". To Fly and Fight. American Aviation Historical Society. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 Sherman, Stephen (June 1999). "USAAF ETO Aces of WW2: More P-51 Mustang Aces". Acepilots.com. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ↑ Toliver, Constable. Page 140.
- ↑ "Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II" (PDF). 1978. p. 24. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- 1 2 3 "Donald Bochkay (Victory Table)". To Fly and Fight. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ↑ Bochkay, Donald. "Combat Report (5 July 1944)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ↑ Chapis, Thomas. Page 47.
- ↑ Bochkay, Donald. "Combat Report (9 February 1945)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ↑ "363d Fighter Squadron". To Fly and Fight. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ↑ "Captain Don Bochkay's "B" Model Mustangs". To Fly and Fight. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ↑ "Don Bochkay, World War II Triple Fighter Ace, 357th FG". Victoria Yeager: Flying with Chuck Yeager. 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
- ↑ "Valor awards for Donald Bochkay". Military Times. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
