Ramsay D. Potts

Ramsay Douglas Potts (October 24, 1916 – May 28, 2006) was an American military officer and lawyer. He served as a United States Army Air Forces bomber pilot during World War II, receiving multiple military decorations. After the war, Potts had a civilian career in law, public service and corporate leadership.

Early life Potts was born on October 24, 1916, in Memphis, Tennessee. His father worked as a cotton merchant. In 1941, he graduated with a bachelor in science in commerce from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he competed in tennis in the Southern Conference and played as a guard on the basketball team. After graduation, he continued to work in cotton business with his father and later as a professor at the Memphis Junior College.

Military career After registering for military draft in 1941, Potts enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, and underwent flight training at Randolph and Brooks Fields. He earned his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant five days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

World War II In 1942, Potts arrived in England where he was assigned to the 330th Bomb Squadron of the 93rd Bomb Group, flying B-24 Liberators, and by August 1942 had advanced to the role of squadron Operations Officer. The squadron took part in bombing missions against targets in Northern France, but in November it was briefly engaged in convoy protection in the build-up to Operation Torch. On November 21, while patrolling over the Bay of Biscay, Potts's B-24 came under attack by five German fighters. In the encounter that followed, his crew managed to shoot down two of the fighters and damage another. Potts then broke away from the fight and safely brought the bomber down at an airfield in England. The 93rd became known as the “Traveling Circus” because it was temporarily detached from the Eighth Air Force several times. For his actions in the raid, Potts received the Distinguished Service Cross and was promoted to Group Operations Officer of the 93rd BG. Beyond his legal career, he has authored numerous articles for Air Force Magazine and held the position of publisher for Air Power History.

Awards and decorations His decorations include: