John D. Landers

John Dave Landers (August 23, 1920 – September 12, 1989) was a colonel in the United States Army Air Forces. He flew with the 9th Fighter Squadron in the Pacific commanded the 357th Fighter Group and the 78th Fighter Group during World War II. Credited with 14.5 aerial victories, he earned flying ace status in both the Pacific and European theatres.

Early life Landers was born on August 23, 1920, in Wilson, Oklahoma, to Obadiah Ray Landers and Mamie Legal Martin Landers. By 1938, he had relocated to Johnson County, Texas, and was employed by the Lone Star Gas Company.

Military career With World War II ongoing, Landers entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Corps on April 25, 1941, and was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Stockton Field, California, on December 12, 1941, just five days after the Attack on Pearl Harbor.

World War II By January 1942, Landers was posted to the 9th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group in Australia, flying the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. He named his P-40, “Texas Longhorn”. With only 10 flying hours, he embarked on his first combat missions over the Pacific.

Pacific theater During his second sortie that, Landers would get his first kill. His flight of 12 aircraft were dispatched to intercept an enemy flight near Darwin, Australia. Soon into the flight, his P-40 began to experience engine problems and Landers began to fall behind his formation.

He spotted a flight of seven Japanese bombers with fighter escort 2000 feet below him and decided to dive in on them. With one of the bombers in target, he pulled the trigger and claimed his first victory. With his aircraft damaged by the escorting A6M Zero fighters, he managed to catch up with his flight to shoot down a second bomber of the engagement.

Newly promoted to lieutenant colonel, Landers was temporarily assigned as commanding officer of the 357th Fighter Group between October and December 1944 at RAF Leiston. Landers also destroyed one enemy aircraft while flying with the 357th. He returned to the U.S. in December 1944 and returned to Europe in February 1945.

In February 1945, Landers took command of the 78th Fighter Group at RAF Duxford. He was credited with destroying another 3.5 enemy aircraft in the air, including a shared victory over a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. From July 1945 until the war's end, he commanded the 361st Fighter Group until his return to the U.S. in October 1945.

Landers left active duty in December 1945. During the war, Landers was credited with destroying 14.5 and damaging 1 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and destroying 20 more on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. He flew several P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang aircraft that were named "Big Beautiful Doll."

Awards and decorations His awards include:

Silver Star with two bronze oak leaf clustersDistinguished Flying Cross with three bronze oak leaf clustersPurple Heart Air Medal with four silver leaf clustersAir Medal (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze oak leaf clustersAmerican Defense Service Medal American Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze campaign starsEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze campaign starsWorld War II Victory MedalArmy of Occupation Medal with 'Germany' claspCroix de Guerre with Palm (France)