Captain Samuel V. Blair
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 348th Fighter Group, 341st Fighter Squadron
P-47D Thunderbolt Pilot and Ace
Background
Samuel V. Blair was born on August 14, 1917 in Peoria County, Illinois. He graduated high school, completed three years of college and worked as a sales clerk.
Wartime History
On April 28, 1941 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet with serial number 17025623. He attended flight school, earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-432176. Promoted to a 1st Lieutenant then to the rank of Captain and was sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 348th Fighter Group (348th FG), 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) "Black Jack" as a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot. During 1943-1944, he often flew with Colonel Neel E. Kearby and Captain "Dinghy" Dunham on combat missions over New Guinea.
Assigned Aircraft
In New Guinea, Blair was assigned at least four different P-47 Thunderbolts that were all nicknamed "Frankie", with a roman numeral for the second, third and fourth aircraft. Known aircraft include:
P-47D "Frankie" 42-8130 force landed Hood Point Airfield (Hula Airfield)
P-47D "Frankie II" ultimate fate unknown
P-47D
"Frankie III" ultimate fate unknown
P-47D "Frankie IV" ultimate fate unknown
Aerial Victory Claims
Blair was officially credited with seven aerial victories between October 23, 1943 to March 5, 1944 over New Guinea.
| Victory |
Date |
Location |
Aircraft |
Notes on claim |
| 1 |
10/23/43 |
|
|
First aerial victory claim. |
| 2 |
11/05/43 |
|
|
Second aerial victory claim. |
| 3 |
11/07/43 |
|
|
Third aerial victory claim. |
| 4 |
12/17/43 |
|
|
Fourth aerial victory claim. |
| 5 |
12/17/43 |
|
|
Fifth aerial victory claim, became an "ace". |
| 6 |
12/22/43 |
|
|
Sixth aerial victory claim. |
| 7 |
03/05/44 |
Wewak |
Nell [sic Lily] |
Seventh aerial victory claim. |
Memorials
Blair passed away on October 28, 1983 at age 66. He is buried at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest, CA at section A, tier 28, grave 68.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records -
Samuel V. Blair
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Blair, Samuel V. page 23 (PDF page 28)
FindAGrave - Samuel Vernon Blair (photos, grave photo)
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