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{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name= Perry John Dahl
|name= Perry John Dahl
|image=
|image=File:Perry Dahl P-38.jpg
|image_size=
|image_size=
|alt=
|alt=
|caption=
|caption= Dahl onboard his P-38 during WWII
|nickname= PJ
|nickname= PJ
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1923|02|18}}
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1923|2|18}}
|birth_place= [[North Battleford, Saskatchewan|North Battleford]], [[Saskatchewan]], [[Canada]]
|birth_place= [[North Battleford]], [[Saskatchewan]], Canada
|death_date=
|death_date=
|death_place=
|death_place=
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|allegiance= United States of America
|allegiance= United States of America
|branch= [[United States Air Force]]
|branch= [[United States Air Force]]
|serviceyears= 1940–1975
|serviceyears= 1940–1978
|rank= {{dodseal|USAFO6}} [[Colonel]]
|rank= {{dodseal|USAFO6}} [[Colonel]]
|servicenumber=
|servicenumber=
|unit= {{ubl|[[475th Fighter Wing]]|[[19th Weapons Squadron|19th Tactical Air Support Squadron]]|[[56th Fighter Wing| 56th Special Operations Wing]]}}
|unit= {{ubl|[[475th Fighter Group]]|[[19th Weapons Squadron|19th Tactical Air Support Squadron]]|[[56th Fighter Wing|56th Special Operations Wing]]}}
|commands= {{ubl|56th Special Operations Wing}}
|commands= {{ubl|56th Special Operations Wing}}
|battles= [[World War II]]<br>[[Vietnam War]]
|battles= [[World War II]]<br>[[Vietnam War]]
|awards={{ubl|[[Silver Star]]|[[Legion of Merit]]|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]|[[Bronze Star Medal]]|[[Purple Heart]]|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] (2)|[[Air Medal]] (16)}}
|awards={{ubl|[[Silver Star]]|[[Legion of Merit]]|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]|[[Bronze Star Medal]]|[[Purple Heart]]|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] (2)|[[Air Medal]] (16)}}
}}
}}
'''Perry John Dahl''' (February 18, 1923) was a [[United States Air Force]] [[colonel]] and a [[flying ace]], who was credited in destroying 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II.
'''Perry John Dahl''' (born February 18, 1923) is a retired [[United States Air Force]] [[colonel]] and a [[flying ace]], who was credited in destroying 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Line 28: Line 28:


==Military career==
==Military career==
On June 17, 1940, Dahl enlisted in the [[Washington National Guard]] and after completion of training, was assigned to the [[41st Infantry Division (United States)|41st Infantry Division]]. In the aftermath the [[Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, he entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the [[U.S. Army Air Forces]] on September 26, 1942. On June 22, 1943, he was awarded his pilot wings and was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] at [[Williams Air Force Base|Williams Field]] in [[Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/flight-journal/20181001/281517931957894|title=Running With The Devil: Becoming an Ace with the Satan's Angels|first=Perry|last=Dahl|first2=James|last2=Busha|newspaper=Flight Journal (Press Reader)|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref>
On June 17, 1940, Dahl enlisted in the [[Washington National Guard]] and after completion of training, was assigned to the [[41st Infantry Division (United States)|41st Infantry Division]]. In the aftermath the [[Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, he entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the [[U.S. Army Air Forces]] on September 26, 1942. On June 22, 1943, he was awarded his pilot wings and was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] at [[Williams Air Force Base|Williams Field]] in [[Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/flight-journal/20181001/281517931957894|title=Running With The Devil: Becoming an Ace with the Satan's Angels|first1=Perry|last1=Dahl|first2=James|last2=Busha|newspaper=Flight Journal (Press Reader)|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref>


===World War II===
===World War II===
[[File:475th_fighter_gp-emblem-wwii.jpg|left|120px|475th Fighter Group]]
[[File:475th_fighter_gp-emblem-wwii.jpg|left|120px|475th Fighter Group]]
After the completion of training in the [[Lockheed P-38 Lightning]], Dahl was assigned to the [[55th Fighter Group]] at [[Tumwater, Washington]]. On October 1943, he was sent to the [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|South West Pacific theatre]] where he was assigned to the [[432d Fighter Squadron]] of the [[475th Fighter Group]] at [[Girua Airport|Dobodura Airfield]] in New Guinea. Flying P-38 Lightnings in aerial combat, Dahl scored his first aerial victory in his first mission on November 9, 1943, when he shot a [[Mitsubishi A6M]] "Zero" while escorting [[A-20 Havoc]]s and [[B-25 Mitchell]]s on a strike against a Japanese airfield in [[Alexishafen]]. On December 22, he shot down another Zero over [[Wewak]], his second serial victory. On January 23, 1944, he scored his third aerial victory after shooting down a Zero over Wewak and on February 24, Dahl took off from [[Nadzab]] on a mission against the Japanese-held [[Momote Airport|Momote Airfield]]. Due to bad weather, he was forced to turn back from the mission and diverted to an [[Cape Gloucester Airport|airfield in Cape Gloucester]] and while landing, his P-38 collided with a [[B-24 Liberator]] on the runway.<ref name=":2"/><ref name="AF">{{cite web|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA542272.pdf|title=Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II|date=1978|page=54|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref><ref name="HN">{{cite web|url=https://www.historynet.com/p-j-dahl-p-38-pilot-nine-lives/|title=P.J. Dahl: P-38 Pilot with Nine Lives|first=Jay|last=Wertz|newspaper=History Net|date=2017-03-06|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref><ref name="HF">{{cite web|url= https://475th.org/aces/perry-j-dahl|title=Col. Perry J. "PJ" Dahl
After the completion of training in the [[Lockheed P-38 Lightning]], Dahl was assigned to the [[55th Fighter Group]] at [[Tumwater, Washington]]. In October 1943, he was sent to the [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|South West Pacific theatre]] where he was assigned to the [[432d Fighter Squadron]] of the [[475th Fighter Group]] at [[Girua Airport|Dobodura Airfield]] in New Guinea. Flying P-38 Lightnings in aerial combat, Dahl scored his first aerial victory in his first mission on November 9, 1943, when he shot a [[Mitsubishi A6M]] "Zero" while escorting [[A-20 Havoc]]s and [[B-25 Mitchell]]s on a strike against a Japanese airfield in [[Alexishafen]]. On December 22, he shot down another Zero over [[Wewak]], his second aerial victory. On January 23, 1944, he scored his third aerial victory after shooting down a Zero over Wewak and on February 24, Dahl took off from [[Nadzab]] on a mission against the Japanese-held [[Momote Airport|Momote Airfield]]. Due to bad weather, he was forced to turn back from the mission and diverted to an [[Cape Gloucester Airport|airfield in Cape Gloucester]] and while landing, his P-38 collided with a [[B-24 Liberator]] on the runway.<ref name=":2"/><ref name="AF">{{cite web|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA542272.pdf|title=Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II|date=1978|page=54|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref><ref name="HN">{{cite web|url=https://www.historynet.com/p-j-dahl-p-38-pilot-nine-lives/|title=P.J. Dahl: P-38 Pilot with Nine Lives|first=Jay|last=Wertz|newspaper=History Net|date=2017-03-06|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref><ref name="HF">{{cite web|url= https://475th.org/aces/perry-j-dahl|title=Col. Perry J. "PJ" Dahl
|newspaper=475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation|access-date= 2023-02-25|archive-date= 2016-03-14|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160314054941/https://475th.org/aces/perry-j-dahl|url-status= dead}}</ref>
|newspaper=475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation|access-date= 2023-02-25|archive-date= 2016-03-14|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160314054941/https://475th.org/aces/perry-j-dahl|url-status= dead}}</ref>


[[File:P-38_Lightning_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_(15960092414).jpg|thumb|right|Restored P-38 Lightning ''Skidoo'']]
[[File:P-38_Lightning_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_(15960092414).jpg|thumb|right|Restored P-38 Lightning ''Skidoo'']]
In April 1944, he was promoted to the rank of [[captain (United States)|captain]] and became operations officer of the 479th FG. On April 3, during a mission over [[Jayapura|Hollandia]], [[Dutch East Indies]], he shot down a Zero and a [[Nakajima Ki-43]] "Oscar", bringing his total to six aerial victories and hence earning the title of [[flying ace]]. The 475th FG moved to the Philippines in October 1944 and was stationed at San Pablo Airfield in [[Leyte]] during the [[Philippines campaign (1944–1945)|Philippines campaign]]. On November 10, 1944, while escorting B-25s attacking Japanese shipping at [[Ormoc Bay]], Dahl's P-38 formation were intercepted by a formation of [[Kawasaki Ki-61]] "Tonys" flying in close formation towards east. The P-38s made a first pass and Dahl managed to shoot down one of the Tonys, his seventh aerial victory. While turning for a second pass, Dahl's P-38 collided with another P-38 flown by 2nd Lt. Grady Laseter Jr. As a result of the collision, Dahl ditched his P-38 in Ormoc Bay, while Laseter was killed after he was unable to bail out and crashed into the sea. Dahl was rescued by [[Philippine resistance against Japan|Philippine resistance]] who hid him until he returned to American lines on December 10.<ref name=":2"/><ref name="AF"/><ref name="HN"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=nJOdAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA524&lpg=PA524&dq=2nd+Lt.+Grady+Laseter+Jr&source=bl&ots=jYPLExf7iM&sig=ACfU3U2dRjvg8gbeDZo71XRJGltsi5fKPQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1mcWNvLD9AhWft1YBHYQgDrQQ6AF6BAgREAM#v=onepage&q=2nd%20Lt.%20Grady%20Laseter%20Jr&f=false|title=The Search That Never Was: The Untold Truth about the 1948-49 Search for World War II American Personnel Missing in Action in the South Pacific|first=J.L|last=Wright|page=524|date= 2013|isbn=9781625166791 |access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref><ref name="HF"/>
In April 1944, he was promoted to the rank of [[captain (United States)|captain]] and became operations officer of the 479th FG. On April 3, during a mission over [[Jayapura|Hollandia]], [[Dutch East Indies]], he shot down a Zero and a [[Nakajima Ki-43]] "Oscar", bringing his total to five aerial victories and hence earning the title of [[flying ace]]. He shot down another Oscar, his sixth aerial victory, on June 8. The 475th FG moved to the Philippines in October 1944 and was stationed at San Pablo Airfield in [[Leyte]] during the [[Philippines campaign (1944–1945)|Philippines campaign]]. On November 10, 1944, while escorting B-25s attacking Japanese shipping at [[Ormoc Bay]], Dahl's P-38 formation were intercepted by a formation of [[Kawasaki Ki-61]] "Tonys" flying in close formation towards east. The P-38s made a first pass and Dahl managed to shoot down one of the Tonys, his seventh aerial victory. While turning for a second pass, Dahl's P-38 collided with another P-38 flown by 2nd Lt. Grady Laseter Jr. As a result of the collision, Dahl ditched his P-38 in Ormoc Bay, while Laseter was killed after he was unable to bail out and crashed into the sea. Dahl was initially captured by a [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese Army]] patrol before being rescued by the [[Philippine resistance against Japan|Philippine resistance]] who hid him until he returned to American lines on December 10.<ref name=":2"/><ref name="AF"/><ref name="HN"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nJOdAgAAQBAJ&dq=2nd+Lt.+Grady+Laseter+Jr&pg=PA524|title=The Search That Never Was: The Untold Truth about the 1948-49 Search for World War II American Personnel Missing in Action in the South Pacific|first=J.L|last=Wright|page=524|date= 2013|publisher=Strategic Book |isbn=9781625166791 |access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref><ref name="HF"/>


On January 15, 1945, Dahl returned to duty and on March 5, he scored his eighth aerial victory, a [[Mitsubishi Ki-21]] "Sally" bomber. Dahl shot down a [[A6M Zero#A6M3 Type 0 Model 32|Mitsubishi A6M3-32]] "Hamp", his ninth and final aerial victory on March 28, 1945, during an escort of bombers attacking a Japanese naval convoy off the coast of [[French Indochina]], for which he received the [[Silver Star]].<ref name=":2"/><ref name="AF"/><ref name="HF"/><ref name=":MT">{{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/46514|title=Valor Awards for Perry Dahl|newspaper=Military Times|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref>
On January 15, 1945, Dahl returned to duty and on March 5, he scored his eighth aerial victory, a [[Mitsubishi Ki-21]] "Sally" bomber. Dahl shot down a [[A6M Zero#A6M3 Type 0 Model 32|Mitsubishi A6M3-32]] "Hamp", his ninth and final aerial victory on March 28, 1945, during an escort of bombers attacking a Japanese naval convoy off the coast of [[French Indochina]], for which he received the [[Silver Star]].<ref name=":2"/><ref name="AF"/><ref name="HF"/><ref name=":MT">{{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/46514|title=Valor Awards for Perry Dahl|newspaper=Military Times|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref>
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===Post war===
===Post war===
Dahl returned to the United States in June 1945 and after the end of World War II, he left military service briefly to attend [[University of Washington]] and [[University of Southern Colorado]], where he graduated from the latter with a [[bachelor of science]] degree. He was employed with the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' for a short period time until he was recalled to active duty with the [[United States Air Force]] in 1951, and was stationed at [[Kelly Air Force Base]] in Texas and [[Châteauroux-Déols Air Base]] in France, from February 1951 to June 1954. From 1954 to 1957, he was assigned to the Flying Safety Branch at [[Norton Air Force Base]] in California. After attending [[Air Command and Staff College]] at [[Maxwell Air Force Base]] in Alabama, Dahl continued to serve in numerous staff positions including at the Air Force headquarters in [[the Pentagon]] from 1960 to 1970.<ref name=":VT"/>
Dahl returned to the United States in June 1945 and after the end of World War II, he left military service briefly to attend [[University of Washington]] and [[University of Southern Colorado]], now [[Colorado State University Pueblo]], where he graduated from the latter with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree. He was employed with the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' for a short period time until he was recalled to active duty with the [[United States Air Force]] in 1951, and was stationed at [[Kelly Air Force Base]] in Texas and [[Châteauroux-Déols Air Base]] in France, from February 1951 to June 1954. From 1954 to 1957, he was assigned to the Flying Safety Branch at [[Norton Air Force Base]] in California. After attending [[Air Command and Staff College]] at [[Maxwell Air Force Base]] in Alabama, Dahl continued to serve in numerous staff positions including at the Air Force headquarters in [[the Pentagon]] from 1966 to 1970.<ref name=":VT"/>


During the [[Vietnam War]], Dahl served with the [[19th Tactical Air Support Squadron]] at [[Bien Hoa Air Base]] in [[South Vietnam]] from June 1970 to June 1971. After his return to the United States, he was assigned to the [[United States Air Force Academy]] in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]], where he served as the Deputy Commandant for the Cadet Wing and then Vice Commandant of Cadets from June 1971 to July 1974. In his second tour of duty during the Vietnam War, he was assigned to [[Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base]] where he served as commander of the [[56th Fighter Wing|56th Special Operations Wing]] from July 1974 to April 1975.<ref name=":VT"/>
During the [[Vietnam War]], Dahl served with the [[19th Tactical Air Support Squadron]] at [[Bien Hoa Air Base]] in [[South Vietnam]] from June 1970 to June 1971. After his return to the United States, he was assigned to the [[United States Air Force Academy]] in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]], where he served as the Deputy Commandant for the Cadet Wing and then Vice Commandant of Cadets from June 1971 to July 1974. In his second tour of duty during the Vietnam War, he was assigned to [[Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base]] where he served as commander of the [[56th Fighter Wing|56th Special Operations Wing]] from July 1974 to April 1975.<ref name=":VT"/>


On April 1975, he was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs with Headquarters [[Aerospace Defense Command]] and [[North American Aerospace Defense Command]] until his retirement from the Air Force on 1978.<ref name=":VT"/>
In April 1975, he was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs with Headquarters [[Aerospace Defense Command]] and [[North American Aerospace Defense Command]] until his retirement from the Air Force on 1978.<ref name=":VT"/>


==Later life==
===Aerial victories===
{| class="wikitable"
After his retirement from the Air Force, Dahl resided in Florida.
! Date !! Total !! Aircraft Types Claimed !! Location
|-
| 9 November 1943 || 1 || [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Mitsubishi A6M "Zero"]] destroyed || [[Alexishafen]], [[Territory of New Guinea|New Guinea]]
|-
| 22 December 1943 || 1 || Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" destroyed || [[Wewak]], New Guinea
|-
| 23 January 1944 || 1 || Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" destroyed || Wewak, New Guinea
|-,
| 3 April 1944 || 2 || 1 x Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", 1 x [[Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa|Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar"]] destroyed || [[Jayapura|Hollandia]], [[Dutch New Guinea]]
|-
| 8 June 1944 || 1 || Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" destroyed || [[Waigeo]], [[Dutch East Indies]]
|-
| 10 November 1944 || 1 || [[Kawasaki Ki-61|Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony"]] destroyed || [[Ormoc Bay]], [[Commonwealth of the Philippines|Philippines]]
|-
| 5 March 1945 || 1 || [[Mitsubishi Ki-21|Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally"]] || [[Formosa]]
|-
| 28 March 1945 || 1 || [[A6M Zero#A6M3 Type 0 Model 32|Mitsubishi A6M3-32 "Hamp"]] || [[French Indochina]]
|-
|-|-
| || '''9''' ||
|}
<small>SOURCE: ''475th Fighter Group'' Historical Foundation</small>


==Later life==
[[File:P-38 Lightning Pilot tours F-35A Lightning II for 100th Birthday.jpg|thumb|Dahl standing next to a [[F-35 Lightning II]] at [[MacDill Air Force Base]], during his 100th birthday celebrations (2023)]]
The [[Planes of Fame Museum]] in [[Chino, California]] restored a P-38 and applied it with painting and decals of Dahl's P-38 "Skidoo". The P-38 is now flown at airshows with the [[USAF Heritage Flight|Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airforceheritageflight.org/news/2022/08/10/warbird-stories-23-skidoo-p-38-lightning/#:~:text=%E2%80%9C23%20Skidoo%E2%80%9D%20is%20a%20P,total%20number%20of%20Lightnings%20produced|title=Warbird Stories: 23-Skidoo P-38 Lightning|newspaper=Air Force Heritage Flight|date=2022-08-10|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref>
The [[Planes of Fame Museum]] in [[Chino, California]] restored a P-38 and applied it with painting and decals of Dahl's P-38 "Skidoo". The P-38 is now flown at airshows with the [[USAF Heritage Flight|Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airforceheritageflight.org/news/2022/08/10/warbird-stories-23-skidoo-p-38-lightning/#:~:text=%E2%80%9C23%20Skidoo%E2%80%9D%20is%20a%20P,total%20number%20of%20Lightnings%20produced|title=Warbird Stories: 23-Skidoo P-38 Lightning|newspaper=Air Force Heritage Flight|date=2022-08-10|access-date=2023-02-25}}</ref>


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|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|}
|}

===Silver Star citation===
[[File:SilverStarMed.gif|50px|left]]
:Dahl, Perry J.
:Captain, U.S. Army Air Forces
:432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, Far East Air Forces
:Date of Action: March 28, 1945

:Citation:<ref name=":MT"/>

{{blockquote|The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Perry John Dahl, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-38 fighter airplane of the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, Far East Air Forces, in action off the coast of French Indochina, on 28 March 1945. Captain Dahl led a squadron of eight P-38 aircraft escorting bombers on an attack against an enemy convoy. Preceding the bombers to the rendezvous, he searched for the convoy and, after 45 minutes, discovered it. He circled the vessels at a dangerously low altitude, made observations at the risk of being hit by accurate anti-aircraft fire, and reported the position of the convoy to the B-25's. Shortly afterwards, he noticed that an accompanying fight of P-38's, their pilots apparently unaware of some 20 enemy fighters above, was attacking a few hostile planes at a lower altitude. Unable to communicate with the endangered flight, he pulled up to intercept the enemy fighters as they dived to attack it. After dispatching part of his own squadron to pursue another attacking fighter, he continued the uneven engagement with the aid of only 4 other P-38's. As pairs of enemy planes dived in rapid succession, he attacked each pair in turn, forcing the pilots to break off the attack and destroying one of the enemy fighters. The lower flight of P-38's finally rose to engage the enemy after he and his flight had carried on a 20-minute battle. Leaving the target area, he was again attacked by 6 enemy fighters. With a dangerously low gasoline supply he had to fight his way through the interception and, unable to get to his own base, succeeded in reaching another airfield with only 10 to 20 gallons of fuel reserve. The outstanding leadership, courage and flying skill displayed by Captain Dahl during this flight represent the highest type of service to be rendered to the United States Army Air Forces.}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[https://www.pearlharboraviationmuseum.org/blog/veteran-feature-perry-j-dahl/ Biography at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum]
*[https://www.pearlharboraviationmuseum.org/blog/veteran-feature-perry-j-dahl/ Biography at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum website]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LC1Y_e-6Fo&ab_channel=475thfightergroup Video interview (2012)]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LC1Y_e-6Fo&ab_channel=475thfightergroup Video interview (2012)]


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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from North Battleford]]
[[Category:People from North Battleford]]
⚫
[[Category:Canadian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Seattle]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Seattle]]
[[Category:Aviators from Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Aviators from Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
⚫
[[Category:Canadian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)]]
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[[Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Washington National Guard personnel]]
[[Category:Washington National Guard personnel]]
[[Category:American centenarians]]
[[Category:American men centenarians]]
[[Category:Men centenarians]]
[[Category:Colorado State University Pueblo alumni]]

Revision as of 06:03, 31 August 2024

Perry John Dahl
Dahl onboard his P-38 during WWII
Nickname(s)PJ
Born (1923-02-18) February 18, 1923 (age 101)
North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1940–1978
Rank Colonel
Unit
Commands
  • 56th Special Operations Wing
Battles / warsWorld War II
Vietnam War
Awards

Perry John Dahl (born February 18, 1923) is a retired United States Air Force colonel and a flying ace, who was credited in destroying 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II.

Early life

Born on February 18, 1923, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, Dahl and his family immigrated to the United States, where they settled in Seattle, Washington. He attended three years of high school before enlisting in the military.[1][2]

Military career

On June 17, 1940, Dahl enlisted in the Washington National Guard and after completion of training, was assigned to the 41st Infantry Division. In the aftermath the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on September 26, 1942. On June 22, 1943, he was awarded his pilot wings and was commissioned as a second lieutenant at Williams Field in Arizona.[3]

World War II

475th Fighter Group
475th Fighter Group

After the completion of training in the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Dahl was assigned to the 55th Fighter Group at Tumwater, Washington. In October 1943, he was sent to the South West Pacific theatre where he was assigned to the 432d Fighter Squadron of the 475th Fighter Group at Dobodura Airfield in New Guinea. Flying P-38 Lightnings in aerial combat, Dahl scored his first aerial victory in his first mission on November 9, 1943, when he shot a Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" while escorting A-20 Havocs and B-25 Mitchells on a strike against a Japanese airfield in Alexishafen. On December 22, he shot down another Zero over Wewak, his second aerial victory. On January 23, 1944, he scored his third aerial victory after shooting down a Zero over Wewak and on February 24, Dahl took off from Nadzab on a mission against the Japanese-held Momote Airfield. Due to bad weather, he was forced to turn back from the mission and diverted to an airfield in Cape Gloucester and while landing, his P-38 collided with a B-24 Liberator on the runway.[1][4][5][6]

Restored P-38 Lightning Skidoo

In April 1944, he was promoted to the rank of captain and became operations officer of the 479th FG. On April 3, during a mission over Hollandia, Dutch East Indies, he shot down a Zero and a Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar", bringing his total to five aerial victories and hence earning the title of flying ace. He shot down another Oscar, his sixth aerial victory, on June 8. The 475th FG moved to the Philippines in October 1944 and was stationed at San Pablo Airfield in Leyte during the Philippines campaign. On November 10, 1944, while escorting B-25s attacking Japanese shipping at Ormoc Bay, Dahl's P-38 formation were intercepted by a formation of Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tonys" flying in close formation towards east. The P-38s made a first pass and Dahl managed to shoot down one of the Tonys, his seventh aerial victory. While turning for a second pass, Dahl's P-38 collided with another P-38 flown by 2nd Lt. Grady Laseter Jr. As a result of the collision, Dahl ditched his P-38 in Ormoc Bay, while Laseter was killed after he was unable to bail out and crashed into the sea. Dahl was initially captured by a Japanese Army patrol before being rescued by the Philippine resistance who hid him until he returned to American lines on December 10.[1][4][5][7][6]

On January 15, 1945, Dahl returned to duty and on March 5, he scored his eighth aerial victory, a Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" bomber. Dahl shot down a Mitsubishi A6M3-32 "Hamp", his ninth and final aerial victory on March 28, 1945, during an escort of bombers attacking a Japanese naval convoy off the coast of French Indochina, for which he received the Silver Star.[1][4][6][8]

During World War II, Dahl was credited with destroying 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat while flying 158 combat missions. While serving with the 475th FG, one of his P-38s bore the name "Skidoo".[1][4][6]

Post war

Dahl returned to the United States in June 1945 and after the end of World War II, he left military service briefly to attend University of Washington and University of Southern Colorado, now Colorado State University Pueblo, where he graduated from the latter with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was employed with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer for a short period time until he was recalled to active duty with the United States Air Force in 1951, and was stationed at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas and Châteauroux-Déols Air Base in France, from February 1951 to June 1954. From 1954 to 1957, he was assigned to the Flying Safety Branch at Norton Air Force Base in California. After attending Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, Dahl continued to serve in numerous staff positions including at the Air Force headquarters in the Pentagon from 1966 to 1970.[2]

During the Vietnam War, Dahl served with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base in South Vietnam from June 1970 to June 1971. After his return to the United States, he was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he served as the Deputy Commandant for the Cadet Wing and then Vice Commandant of Cadets from June 1971 to July 1974. In his second tour of duty during the Vietnam War, he was assigned to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base where he served as commander of the 56th Special Operations Wing from July 1974 to April 1975.[2]

In April 1975, he was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs with Headquarters Aerospace Defense Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command until his retirement from the Air Force on 1978.[2]

Aerial victories

Date Total Aircraft Types Claimed Location
9 November 1943 1 Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" destroyed Alexishafen, New Guinea
22 December 1943 1 Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" destroyed Wewak, New Guinea
23 January 1944 1 Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" destroyed Wewak, New Guinea
3 April 1944 2 1 x Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", 1 x Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" destroyed Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea
8 June 1944 1 Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" destroyed Waigeo, Dutch East Indies
10 November 1944 1 Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony" destroyed Ormoc Bay, Philippines
5 March 1945 1 Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" Formosa
28 March 1945 1 Mitsubishi A6M3-32 "Hamp" French Indochina
9

SOURCE: 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation

Later life

Dahl standing next to a F-35 Lightning II at MacDill Air Force Base, during his 100th birthday celebrations (2023)

The Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California restored a P-38 and applied it with painting and decals of Dahl's P-38 "Skidoo". The P-38 is now flown at airshows with the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation.[9]

In 2015, he along with other flying aces received the Congressional Gold Medal, in recognition of "their heroic military service and defense of the country's freedom throughout the history of aviation warfare."[10]

On 18 February 2023, he turned 100 years old, making him a centenarian.[11]

Awards and decorations

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Silver star
Bronze star
Silver star
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
United States Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Silver Star
Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star
Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal
with bronze oak leaf cluster 		Air Medal
with three silver oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
with bronze oak leaf cluster 		Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Army Good Conduct Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
with silver campaign star 		World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal
with service star
Vietnam Service Medal
with silver campaign star 		Air Force Longevity Service Award
with silver and bronze oak leaf cluster 		Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Philippine Liberation Medal
with service star 		Philippine Independence Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Vietnam Campaign Medal

Silver Star citation

Dahl, Perry J.
Captain, U.S. Army Air Forces
432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, Far East Air Forces
Date of Action: March 28, 1945
Citation:[8]

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Perry John Dahl, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-38 fighter airplane of the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, Far East Air Forces, in action off the coast of French Indochina, on 28 March 1945. Captain Dahl led a squadron of eight P-38 aircraft escorting bombers on an attack against an enemy convoy. Preceding the bombers to the rendezvous, he searched for the convoy and, after 45 minutes, discovered it. He circled the vessels at a dangerously low altitude, made observations at the risk of being hit by accurate anti-aircraft fire, and reported the position of the convoy to the B-25's. Shortly afterwards, he noticed that an accompanying fight of P-38's, their pilots apparently unaware of some 20 enemy fighters above, was attacking a few hostile planes at a lower altitude. Unable to communicate with the endangered flight, he pulled up to intercept the enemy fighters as they dived to attack it. After dispatching part of his own squadron to pursue another attacking fighter, he continued the uneven engagement with the aid of only 4 other P-38's. As pairs of enemy planes dived in rapid succession, he attacked each pair in turn, forcing the pilots to break off the attack and destroying one of the enemy fighters. The lower flight of P-38's finally rose to engage the enemy after he and his flight had carried on a 20-minute battle. Leaving the target area, he was again attacked by 6 enemy fighters. With a dangerously low gasoline supply he had to fight his way through the interception and, unable to get to his own base, succeeded in reaching another airfield with only 10 to 20 gallons of fuel reserve. The outstanding leadership, courage and flying skill displayed by Captain Dahl during this flight represent the highest type of service to be rendered to the United States Army Air Forces.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Perry J. "PJ" Dahl: P-38 Lightning Pilot and Ace". Pacific Wrecks. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  2. ^ a b c d "Perry J. Dahl". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  3. ^ Dahl, Perry; Busha, James (2018-10-01). "Running With The Devil: Becoming an Ace with the Satan's Angels". Flight Journal (Press Reader). Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  4. ^ a b c d "Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II" (PDF). 1978. p. 54. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  5. ^ a b Wertz, Jay (2017-03-06). "P.J. Dahl: P-38 Pilot with Nine Lives". History Net. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  6. ^ a b c d "Col. Perry J. "PJ" Dahl". 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  7. ^ Wright, J.L (2013). The Search That Never Was: The Untold Truth about the 1948-49 Search for World War II American Personnel Missing in Action in the South Pacific. Strategic Book. p. 524. ISBN 9781625166791. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  8. ^ a b "Valor Awards for Perry Dahl". Military Times. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  9. ^ "Warbird Stories: 23-Skidoo P-38 Lightning". Air Force Heritage Flight. 2022-08-10. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  10. ^ "American Fighter Aces Receive Congressional Gold Medal". U.S. Mint. 2015-05-25. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  11. ^ Senior Airman Leandra Garcia (2023-02-21). "P-38 Lightning Pilot tours F-35A Lightning II for 100th Birthday". 33rd Fighter Wing (USAF). Retrieved 2022-02-25.
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