World War II Honoree

Phillip Harold Dunn

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Coos Bay, Oregon

Honored By

Tom J. Maginnis

Relationship

Nephew

AFTER FLYING FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE FROM 1938-1943 HE TRANSFERRED TO THE 4TH FIGHTER GROUP, 336TH FIGHTER SQUADRON (THE 117TH EAGLE SQUADRON). ON MARCH 3, 1944, RENDEZVOUSED WITH B-17S AND B-24S NEAR NEUMUNSTER AT 28,000 FEET IN BAD WEATHER. HE AND EIGHT OTHER FIGHTERS BOUNCED BY 60+ MESSERSCHMITTS. HE BAGGED ONE BUT GOT LOST AND WAS LOW ON FUEL, ALSO HIS RADIO DIDN'T WORK. HE DIDN'T WANT TO CHANCE GOING DOWN IN THE CHANNEL WITH NO RADIO SO HE HEADED FOR SPAIN. ALMOST TO THE BORDER HE SPOTTED AN HE-111 AND SHOT IT DOWN, BUT RAN OUT OF GAS. HE WAS FORCED TO BAIL OUT EIGHT MILES FROM THE BORDER, WAS CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS AND WAS INTERNED IN STALAG LUFT I UNTIL THE END OF THE WAR.