Thomas George Lanphier, Jr.

Thomas George Lanphier Jr. (November 27, 1915 – November 26, 1987) was a Panama-born American colonel and fighter pilot during World War II who was first given sole credit, then later partial credit shared with Rex T. Barber, for shooting down the plane carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the commander in chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Early life Lanphier was born on November 27, 1915, in Panama City, Panama to Thomas George Lanphier Sr. and the former Janet Grant Cobb. He studied journalism at Stanford University and graduated in January 1941.

Yamamoto mission

Allied codebreakers determined the route and time schedule of the two Mitsubishi G4M bombers carrying Admiral Yamamoto and his staff by breaking the Purple code and Lanphier was selected for the mission to shoot it down. The mission was a success with both of the "Betty" bombers being destroyed. Officially, the after-action report gave Captain Lanphier and his wingman First Lieutenant Rex T. Barber each half-credit for the kill. While the USAF did not reverse its 1991 decision giving half-credit to each pilot, a retired lawyer / historian and state of Oregon politicians credit Barber with the sole kill. Lanphier's claim does not stand up to the accounts given by every other battle participant including American Lightning pilots Besby Holmes, Doug Canning and Rex Barber, and Japanese Zero pilot Kenji Yanagiya. In December 1949, to promote the AFA's "airability program", an aviation awareness campaign, Lanphier made a round-the-world flight using scheduled airlines, making the 22,140 mile trip in under five days. He carried with him a letter from President Harry Truman commemorating the 46th anniversary of the first flight of the Wright brothers. Upon returning to New York, the letter, postmarked in 12 countries, was delivered to AFA President Robert S. Johnson, for presentation to the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association at its annual 17 December anniversary of the Wright's first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. In 1965 he was a senior projects manager at North American Aviation's (later North American Rockwell) Space Division in Downey, California.

Death Lanphier died November 26, 1987, in San Diego, California, of cancer. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

In popular culture Lanphier was played by actor William Schallert in the 1960 film, The Gallant Hours.

Legacy and decorations During World War II, Colonel Lanphier was credited with downing three and half Japanese planes, damaging eight on the ground, and sinking a destroyer. His decorations include:

USAF Command PilotNavy CrossSilver Starwith bronze oak leaf clusterDistinguished Flying Crosswith bronze oak leaf clusterAir Medalwith 1 silver oak leaf clusterNavy Presidential Unit Citationwith 1 service starDepartment of the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian ServiceAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalwith 2 bronze campaign starsWorld War II Victory Medal

Navy Cross citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Thomas George Lanphier, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Pilot of a P-38 fighter airplane in the 339th Fighter Squadron, 37th Fighter Group, Thirteenth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, attached to a Marine Fighter Command in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 18 April 1943. Leading a division of fighter planes at dangerously low altitude in the longest planned interception mission ever attempted, Captain Lanphier contacted the assigned objective, consisting of two enemy bombers and six escort fighters, with complete tactical surprise and launched a fierce, determined attack. In the ensuing engagement he operated with such daring courage and excellent marksmanship that he sent the leading bomber crashing in flames, and subsequently shot down one of the hostile fighters when it furiously attacked his plane. The outstanding professional skill and inspiring leadership displayed by Captain Lanphier under extremely adverse conditions contributed greatly to the remarkable success of this vital mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Services.