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1st Lt. William F. Fiedler, Jr.
347th Fighter Group, 70th Fighter Squadron and 68th Fighter Squadron
P-39 Airacobra Pilot and Ace
Background
William Fredrick Fiedler Jr. was born June 5, 1920 to parents William Fiedler and Mrs. Jennie Marie Fiedler in Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up at 69 Atlas Street Akron, Ohio then moved to 943 Greenwood Avenue, Akron, Ohio with his sister Jeanne Fiedler. He graduated from Central High School then enrolled in Ohio Northern University where he attended one year of college and was a quarterback on the football team and worked as a clerk. Nicknamed Bill.

Wartime History
On December 21, 1941 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio as an aviation cadet with serial number 15071695. He completed flight training as a pursuit pilot, earned wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-726765 then sent overseas to Nadi Airfield on Fiji. Assigned to 347th Fighter Group (347th FG), 70th Fighter Squadron (70th FS) as a fighter pilot flying the P-39 Airacobra.

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On January 26, 1943 took off Henderson Field on Guadalcanal flying a P-39 Airacobra with P-39 pilot McCulla on a patrol over Choiseul Island. The pair spotted a H6K Mavis pilot Mashio Kira and made a low approach and made a single firing pass from below and damaged the hull and wounded and killed crew members aboard and after landing sank due to the damage. Meanwhile, escorting A6M Zeros failed to spot the pair then dove to intercept and shot down P-39 pilot McCulla. During the dog fight, Fiedler claimed a Zero shot down and returned safely.

Afterwards, promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. On February 4, 1943 he claimed a Zero, his second aerial victory.

Next, assigned to the 68th Fighter Squadron (68th FS). On June 12, 1943 claimed his third aerial victory. On June 16, 1943 took off on a mission to intercept an incoming Japanese air raid against Guadalcanal and claimed two D3A Val dive bombers, his fourth and fifth aerial victories making him an "ace".

On June 30, 1943 in the morning took off piloting a P-39 Airacobra and provided air cover for the U.S. landing at Rendova Island and engaged in air combat. After landing on Guadalcanal and while still in the cockpit, a P-38 Lightning that suffered an engine failure collided with his Airacobra causing both aircraft to explode. Fielder was pulled unconscious from the burning wreckage burned beyond recognition. Hours later, he died of his injuries while being treated in a field hospital.

Aerial Victory Claims
Fiedler was officially credited with five aerial victories between January 26, 1943 to June 16, 1943 and became an ace. He was the only American fighter pilot credited with five victories in the Airacobra and was one of the first ace pilots in the 13th Air Force.

Victory Date Location Aircraft Notes on claim
1 01/26/43 Choiseul Island A6M3 Hamp First aerial victory claim made single firing pass damaging H6K Mavis.
2 02/04/43   A6M Zero Second aerial victory claim.
3 06/12/43   A6M Zero Third aerial victory claim.
4 06/16/43 Guadalcanal D3A Val Fourth aerial victory claim.
5 06/16/43 Guadalcanal D3A Val Fifth aerial victory claim became an "ace".

Awards
On June 19, 1943 he earned the Air Medal from Rear Admiral Marc L. Mitscher in a ceremony at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Posthumously, he earned an Oak Leaf Cluster for the Air Medal.

Memorials
Fiedler was declared dead June 30, 1943 at age 23. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section Q, site 736.

References
NARA Selective Service Registration Cards - Fiedler, William Fredrick, Jr. (1920)
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William F. Fiedler, Jr.
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Fiedler, William F. Jr. page 65 (PDF page 70)
The Akron Beacon Journal "New Air Cadets Use Cards To Spell 'Remember Pearl Harbor'" December 28, 1941 page 32
"Akronites and other northern Ohioans who were among the first army aviation cadets to enlist after the declaration of war, are pictured above as they expressed themselves with cards, while Col. E. P. Pierson, fifth corps area recruiting officer, looking on at Fort Hayes. [First Row, right] William F. Fiedle, 69 Atlas St., Akon [holding "R"]."
The Berkshire County Eagle "Fiedler Awarded Navy Air Medal" July 14, 1943 page 14
"Fist Lt. William F. Fiedler Jr., former Ohio Northern University football star, now an ace with the 13th Army Air Force, has been awarded the Navy Air Medal. Rear Adm. Marc L. Mitscher, commander of U.S. air forces in the Solomons, presented the [Air] medal to Fiedler at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, after Fiedler shot down five enemy planes. Fiedler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Fiedler live in Akron, Ohio."
Nevada State Journal "Former Footballer Gets Navy Medal; Downed 5 Planes" July 14, 1943 page 10
"The former Ohio Northern University quarterback downed single Zeros on January 26, February 4 and June 12. He shot down two enemy dive bombers on June 16 during the Guadalcanal air battle in which 94 Japanese planes were destroyed."
The Akron Beacon Journal "Akron Hero Helped Make 13th Air Unit [13th Air Force] Bugaboo For Japan" August 19, 1943 page 2
"Lieut. William F. Fiedler, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. William Fiedler of 943 Greenwood av., was fatally wounded in action during the great air battle over Rendova June 30 [1943]... One of the original aces of the 13th [Air Force] was First Lieut. William F. Fiedler, Jr. of Akron, O., who was killed in an operational accident last June 30."
FindAGrave - Lieut William Fredrick Fiedler Jr. (photo, grave photo)
P-39 Airacobra Aces of World War II (2001) pages 34-35
Dramatic Rescue off Choisel by Justin Taylan


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