Jack M. Ilfrey

Jack Ilfrey at RAF Kings Cliffe
Nickname(s) Happy Jack
Born (1918-07-31)July 31, 1918
Houston, Texas
Died October 15, 2004(2004-10-15) (aged 86)
Years of service 1941–1945
Rank Major
Service number O-431223
Unit 20th Fighter Group
79th Fighter Squadron
Awards Air Medal (13)
American Campaign Medal
American Defense Medal
Silver Star
World War II Victory Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross (5)
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (4)

Jack M. Ilfrey (July 31, 1918 – October 15, 2004) was a United States Army Air Force fighter ace who was credited with shooting down eight aircraft during World War II.[1][2] Ilfrey was known as Happy Jack and his planes were named "Happy Jack's Go Buggy".[3]

Youth

Jack Ilfrey was born on July 31 , 1918 in Houston, Texas. He joined the Army Reserve and received his pilot's certificate on December 12, 1941 and became a second lieutenant.

Entry into the war

Ilfrey was assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group. He first fought in North Africa with a Lockheed P-38 Lightning where he won several victories in 1942.

During 1943 he was sent back to the United States to become a P-38 instructor in California. He was promoted captain on April 5, 1943.

War in Europe

20th Fighter Group P-38 Lightnings in June 1944

In the spring of 1944, he was posted to the 79th Fighter Squadron of the 20th Fighter Group, the famous "Loco Busters", where Ilfrey was known for his fearlessness.

On June 13, 1944, after attacking the La Possonniere (Maine-et-Loire) railway bridge, he saw a locomotive at the Lion-d'Angers station. While attacking this objective, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft artillery. His engine caught fire and he parachuted. He landed heavily on a farm building, his parachute having opened too low. Ilfrey was deep behind enemy lines. He eventually reached the front line and met British soldiers. On June 20, 1944, he was back in England.

After his escape, Ilfrey returned to the 79th Fighter Squadron which was converting to P-51 Mustangs.

In early December his tour ended and he returned to the United States, where he spent the end of the war in a staff position on the Pacific coast.

Post war

P-51 Mustang restored as "Happy Jack's Go Buggy" in 2008

After the war, Ilfrey entered commercial aviation. He died on October 15, 2004.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jack Ilfrey; Max Reynolds (1979). Happy Jack's Go-Buggy: A WW 11 Fighter Pilot's Personal Document. Exposition Press. ISBN 978-0-682-49236-2.
  2. ↑ Jack Ilfrey; Mark S. Copeland (1998). Happy Jack's Go Buggy: A Fighter Pilot's Story. Schiffer Publishing, Limited. ISBN 978-0-7643-0664-8.
  3. ↑ "Jack M Ilfrey". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  • "Jack Ilfrey P-38 Ace". Retrieved 2018-06-21.
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