John F. Thornell Jr

John Francis Thornell Jr. (April 19, 1921 – September 3, 1998) was a career officer in the United States Air Force and a World War II flying ace. He flew P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts with the 328th Fighter Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group. He was the third highest scoring ace of 352nd Fighter Group, and one of the top USAAF aces of the European Theater of Operations and Eighth Air Force, with 17.25 aerial victories and 3 ground victories. Capt John F Thornell Jr. stands in the cockpit of North American P-51B Mustang “Pattie Ann II” with his crew chief.

Early life Thornell was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts on April 19, 1921. After moving to East Walpole in 1933, he graduated from the Norfolk County Agricultural School in May 1939.

Military career In July 1940, Thornell enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. Promoted to corporal, he was reassigned to the Air Corps in January 1942. He began training as an aviation cadet in March 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in February 1943 after completing flight training.

Thornell downed two Bf 109s on May 27, 1944, one on May 28 and two on May 29. On June 10, during Operation Overlord, Thornell was leading a flight of four P-51s on an aerial patrol between Saint-Lô and Caen, France when they noticed 30 Bf 109s, attached with 200-kilogram bombs, preparing for a ground attack on the 1st Canadian Infantry Division in Caen. Thornell led the attack on the Bf 109s and shot down two of them, leading the German formation to break up and depart away. He was subsequently awarded a second Silver Star for actions during the mission.

Post-war After the war, Thornell transferred to the new Air Force in 1947. From 1949 to 1951, he served as a fighter tactics advisor for the Turkish Air Force. From 1955 to 1956, Thornell attended the University of Southern California. In 1956, he was assigned to Atomic Plans Office headquarters of the Third Air Force in England, and maintained combat status in the F-84 Thunderjet and F-100 Super Sabre with 20th Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield, England. From 1960 to 1964, he was assigned to Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, where he commanded the 3526th Flying Training Squadron. In July 1967, he was assigned to Norton Air Force Base, California where he served as the Chief of the Fighter Branch with the Inspector General Group, his final position before he retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel on August 1, 1971.

After his death on September 3, 1998, Thornell was interred beside his wife at Riverside National Cemetery five days later.

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

Awards and decorations His awards include:

Distinguished Service Cross citation

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