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Service Details |
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Personal Details
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Home State
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Year of Birth 1920 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Bankey, Ernest Edward, Jr., Col USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Contact Info
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Home Town Wilberforce, Ohio |
Last Address Newbury Park, California
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Date of Passing Jun 15, 2009 |
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Location of Interment Conejo Mountain Memorial Park - Camarillo, California |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Not Specified |
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Last Known Activity He was credited with a total of 9.5 enemy aircraft destroyed in the air, 2 probables, and 8 destroyed on the ground during WWII. On Dec 27, 1944 he became an ace-in-a-day and also sent his famous (oft-quoted but usually paraphrased) transmission, "This is Sunkist Two. I've got 50 Jerries cornered over Bonn. Will share same with any P-51s in the vicinity. See me at smokestack level. Over and out."
Synopsis of his DSC citation:
Awarded for actions during World War II
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Ernest E. Bankey, Jr. (ASN: 0-752095), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane assigned to Headquarters, 364th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 27 December 1944, in support of beleaguered Allied ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge. On this date Captain Bankey became an ACE in a single day, shooting down FIVE enemy aircraft and assisting in the destruction of another. Captain Bankey's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 4 (1945)
Action Date: 27-Dec-44
Service: Army Air Forces
Rank: Captain
Company: Headquarters
Regiment: 364th Fighter Group
Division: 8th Air Force
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Other Comments: Sources:
http://www.barnstormers.com/eFLYER/2008/033-eFLYER-FA02-Legends-Bankey-2.html
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=718
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Bankey
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=78274848
http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=23009
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_364.php
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/393783561146697234/
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/59523
http://www.crazyhorseap.be/Mustangs/Aces/Ernest%20Bankey/ErnestBankey.htm
P-51 info & photos:
http://www.military-art.com/mall/squadroninfo.php?SquadronID=391
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=39806&start=0
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1941-1942, USAAF Training Command
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1942-1943, AAF MOS 770, Aviation Cadet Flight School
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1943-1944, 383rd Fighter Squadron
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1943-1945, AAF MOS 1055, 364th Fighter Group
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1944-1944, AAF MOS 1056, 383rd Fighter Squadron
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1944-1944, AAF MOS 1055, 385th Fighter Squadron
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1945-1946, Air Force Bases/ Installations
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1946-1953, Air Force Reserve Command
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1953-1957, 1021A, Air Training Command
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1957-1958, USAFE Weapons Center
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1958-1960, 576th Strategic Missile Squadron
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1960-1963, 1st Strategic Aerospace Division
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1963-1966, Strategic Air Command (SAC)
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1966-1968, 3902nd Support Squadron
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