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First Aerial Victories

On the morning of June 26, 1950, one day after the start of the war, the U.S. Air Force's 68th Fighter (All-Weather) Squadron sent four F-82G aircraft from Itazuke Air Base in Japan to protect two Norwegian ships evacuating civilians from Seoul. While covering a motor convoy of civilians on the Seoul-Inchon road, two of the F-82s were attacked by two Soviet-made La-7 fighters, presumably flown by North Korean pilots. Rather than endanger the civilians below, the two F-82s pulled up into the clouds instead of engaging the La-7s.

The next day, North Korean aircraft attacked the early morning USAF flight. This time, however, the F-82 crews accepted the challenge and shot down three enemy aircraft.

An F-82 piloted by Lt. William G. Hudson and carrying Lt. Carl Fraser as radar operator, claimed a Yak-11 over Kimpo airfield in full view of those on the ground. As Hudson fired at the Yak, Fraser attempted to photograph the action with a malfunctioning 35mm camera. Meanwhile, after a North Korean La-7 fighter damaged the tail of his F-82, Lt. Charles Moran shot it down. Maj. James Little, flying high cover nearby, also shot down an La-7.

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