This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Lt Col John Bonner
to remember
Bonner, John, Jr., 1st Lt.
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.
Contact Info
Home Town Corsicana
Last Address San Angelo, TX
Date of Passing Jan 29, 2004
Location of Interment Lawn Haven Cemetery - San Angelo, Texas
He was known as "Johnny." At seventeen, he turned professional with the first professional rodeo cowboys association. A junior at Texas A&M on December 7, 1941, then during the Christmas break, he volunteered for, and was accepted into Army Air Corps Cadet Training in January, 1942. At age nineteen, he received his wings and commission. To his chagrin, he was "plowed back" as an Instructor Pilot at Goodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas, in the BT-13. Eighteen months and 1000 hours later, he was transferred to England and the 355th Fighter Group, the "Steeple Morden Straffers." Before he was twenty-three, he was a combat element leader in the P-51, striking targets deep into Germany. Gen Tooey Spaatz personally awarded him his first Air Medal. At war's end, he returned to San Angelo and its ranching industry. To know him was to know one who personified Tom Brokaw's "Greatest Generation."
1942-1945, BT-13 Valiant
From Year 1942
To Year 1945
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
BT-13 Valiant Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: two, student and instructor * Length: 28 ft 10 in (8.79 m) * Wingspan: 42 ft 0 in (12.80 m) * Height: 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) * Wing area: 239 ft² (22 m²) * Empty: 3,375 lb (1,531 kg) * Maximum takeoff: 4,496 lb (2,039 kg) * Powerplant: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1, 450 hp (336 kW)
[edit] Performance
* Maximum speed: 180 mph (290 km/h) * Range: 725 miles (1,167 km) * Service ceiling: 21,650 ft (6,600 m)
