This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Bankey, Ernest Edward, Jr., Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Wilberforce, Ohio
Last Address Newbury Park, California
Date of Passing Jun 15, 2009
Location of Interment Conejo Mountain Memorial Park - Camarillo, California
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)
Aircraft/Missile Information
The Titan II was an Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and space launcher developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company from the earlier Titan I missile. The Martin company received a contract for the new missile, designated SM-68B Titan II, in June 1960. The Titan II used storable propellants, Aerozine 50 and dinitrogen tetroxide. Use of storable propellants enabled the Titan II to be launched within 60 seconds directly from within its silo. The first flight of the Titan II was in December 1961 and the missile, now designated LGM-25C, reached initial operating capability in October 1963.
The Titan II was in service from 1963. After two accidents, deactivation of the Titan II ICBM system finally began in July 1982. The last operational Titan II missile was deactivated on May 5, 1987.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
General Information Developed by USA Deployed by USA Development Year 1960 Deployment Year 1963 Retirement Year 1987 Number manufactured 135 Number deployed 49(in 1982) Contractor Martin Marietta
Dimensions and Performance Length 31.3m Body Diameter 3.05m(1st. 2nd. stage) Launch Weight 149,700kg Range 15,000km Accuracy 900m CEP
Components Propulsion 2-stage liquid Payload single warhead Mk 6 RV+penetration aids Warhead W-53 9.0MT nuclear Guidance inertial
