First Lieutenant John Flory served in the 386th Bombardment Group (BG) as a B-26 pilot in Europe when they received their Douglas A-26s. Flory named his The Little Heathen. He completed 31 combat missions, logged 118 combat hours, and earned citations for his service during the critical campaigns of European liberation.
Not all his exploits occurred in combat. Lieutenant Flory enjoyed “buzzing,” or performing a low-altitude flight over cities, bases, or other interesting landmarks. After France’s liberation, Flory was fined when he buzzed the Arc de Triomphe in Paris with his A-26. He was turned-in to his commander by a pair of P-51 pilots flying air cover over the city.
Video: Painting the Nose Art on the A-26
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