A. T. House
P-40 Pilot, 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron
Background
Arthur T. House, Jr. was born August 8, 1917 to parents Mr. and Mrs. House in San Francisco. Nicknamed "A. T." for his initials. On April 23, 1941 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) at March Field an aviation cadet with serial number 19039041. On June 20, 1941 he became a member of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). After graduating flight school and earning his wings, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-406351 and deployed overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
Wartime History
In Australia, assigned to the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) at Batchelor Field near Darwin. He was assigned and nicknamed P-40E "Hero's Poopy". In February 1942 based at Horn Island Airfield as part of a twelve plane detachment to defend the island.
On March 14, 1942 took off piloting P-40E "Poopy" from Horn Island Airfield as one of four P-40 Warhawks led by Captain Morrissey on a mission to intercept A6M2 Zeros and G4M1 Bettys attacking Horn Island at 11:25am. During the dog fight, a Zero opens fire his flight leader P-40E piloted by Captain Morrissey. Coming to his rescue, House finds his machine guns are inoperative and spontaneously he decides to ram the enemy fighter. On impact, A6M2 Zero pilot Oishi explodes and spirals into the ocean. Lt. House's plane was damaged, he managed to land at Horn Island Airfield after three landing attempts.
Next he was assigned P-40E "Hero's Poopy". Later, in early 1943 he was assigned P-40K "Poopy II" 42-46288.
Aerial victory claims
House was officially credited with four aerial victories between March 14, 1942 until March 3, 1943.
Postwar
House joined the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and served in the Korean War. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Awards
For his military service, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Silver Star, Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart.
Memorials
On June 12, 2011 he passed away at age 93 in Hialeah, FL. He is buried at South Florida National Cemetery at section 39, site 3120.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - A. T. House, Jr.
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: House A. T. Jr. page 91 (PDF page 98),
Alphabetical list by theater of operation (SWP) 03/14/43 (two victories) page 335 (PDF page 342), 03/03/43 (two victories) page 340 (PDF page 346)
Horn Island In Their Steps 1939-45 (2002) pages 17, 19, 21
49th Fighter Group Aces of the Pacific Aviation Elite Units 14 (2004) page 70 (P-40K "Poopy II"
42-46288)
Darwin's Air War (Revised Edition) (2011)
page 50
FindAGrave - LTC Arthur T House, Jr (photo, grave photo)
Thanks to A. T. House for additional information
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