Donald H. Bochkay

Donald Harlow Bochkay (September 19, 1916 – January 9, 1981) was an American fighter ace in the United States Army Air Forces. During World War II, he was credited with destroying 13 enemy airplanes in aerial combat, including two jet-powered Messerschmitt Me 262s.

Early life Donald Harlow Bochkay was born on September 19, 1916, in Ashtabula, Ohio, and was of Hungarian descent. At the age of nine, he moved with his family to the San Fernando Valley, California, and in 1935, he graduated from Hollywood High School in Los Angeles.

Military career In 1940, Bochkay entered the United States military 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.

World War II

Following the completion of his flight training, Bochkay 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 equipped with the propeller-driven North American P-51 Mustangs.

On July 5, during a fighter mission over Rouen, France, he shot down a Bf 109 and Fw 190. Before the end of July, he shot down two more enemy airplanes. In August, he returned to the United States on leave. In October, 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.

On April 18, 1945, Bochkay shot down another Me 262 that was taking off from Ruzyně Airport in Prague, Czechoslovakia, his thirteenth and final aerial victory of the war. During the war, he obtained a silk underwear and using it to impress an English barmaid, he remarked "stick with me honey, and you'll be farting through silk."

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 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Aerial victory credits SOURCES: Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II

Awards and decorations

U.S. Air Force Command Pilot BadgeDistinguished Flying Crosswith three bronze oak leaf clusters Air Medalwith two silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Medal(second ribbon required for accoutrement spacing)Air Force Presidential Unit Citationwith two bronze oak leaf clustersAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith silver and bronze campaign starsWorld War II Victory MedalArmy of Occupation Medalwith 'Germany' claspNational Defense Service MedalAir Force Longevity Service Awardwith four bronze oak leaf clustersCroix de Guerrewith Palm(France)