Purdue's connection with Pearl Harbor

[TMA62]

80 years ago today, American forces were attacked at Pearl Harbor. Some do not realize the Purdue connection on "the day which will live in infamy."

During the 1st wave of Japanese attacks, two Army Air Corps pilots managed to take off from nearby airfields to engage the enemy. One of the pilots, George Welch, completed three years of a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University, before joining the Army Air Corps in 1939. While attending Purdue, he was initiated as a brother of Delta Upsilon.

On December 7, Welch shot down 4 Japanese aircraft including 3 Aichi D3A Val dive bombers and one Mitsubishi Zero fighter.

The other Purdue connection was the plane that Welch and Taylor (the other AAC pilot) flew. The iconic Curtis P-40B Tomahawk was designed by a Purdue man, Don Berlin (BSME, 1921).

Below is an artist's rendition of Welch taking off under enemy fire, 80 years ago today, a day which will live in infamy.




https://photos.app.goo.gl/PGz9D8Gf5NgSxH8g6

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

80 years ago today, American forces were attacked at Pearl Harbor. Some do not realize the Purdue connection on "the day which will live in infamy."

During the 1st wave of Japanese attacks, two Army Air Corps pilots managed to take off from nearby airfields to engage the enemy. One of the pilots, George Welch, completed three years of a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University, before joining the Army Air Corps in 1939. While attending Purdue, he was initiated as a brother of Delta Upsilon.

On December 7, Welch shot down 4 Japanese aircraft including 3 Aichi D3A Val dive bombers and one Mitsubishi Zero fighter.

The other Purdue connection was the plane that Welch and Taylor (the other AAC pilot) flew. The iconic Curtis P-40B Tomahawk was designed by a Purdue man, Don Berlin (BSME, 1921).

Below is an artist's rendition of Welch taking off under enemy fire, 80 years ago today, a day which will live in infamy.

Great write up👍
Any chance to post the artist pic?

 

[Matt Tiger]

80 years ago today, American forces were attacked at Pearl Harbor. Some do not realize the Purdue connection on "the day which will live in infamy."

During the 1st wave of Japanese attacks, two Army Air Corps pilots managed to take off from nearby airfields to engage the enemy. One of the pilots, George Welch, completed three years of a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University, before joining the Army Air Corps in 1939. While attending Purdue, he was initiated as a brother of Delta Upsilon.

On December 7, Welch shot down 4 Japanese aircraft including 3 Aichi D3A Val dive bombers and one Mitsubishi Zero fighter.

The other Purdue connection was the plane that Welch and Taylor (the other AAC pilot) flew. The iconic Curtis P-40B Tomahawk was designed by a Purdue man, Don Berlin (BSME, 1921).

Below is an artist's rendition of Welch taking off under enemy fire, 80 years ago today, a day which will live in infamy.

I do know that two of the pilots in the real Black Sheep Squadron were Purdue guys.

 

[TMA62]

Great write up👍
Any chance to post the artist pic?

Doing it now

 

[TMA62]

Great write up👍
Any chance to post the artist pic?

Just posted it!

 

[PaBoiler78]

Just posted it!

I have to recommend a great book on Pearl Harbor, it's called All The Gallant Men by Donald Stratton who served and survived the attack

 

[boiler2288]

Speaking of WW2 fighter pilots. Col Bud Mahurin USAAF was the only ace to record enemy planes down in both the Pacific and European theater. (21) shot down. He was also a Purdue man. Went onto get (3) more in Korea. Was shot down and became a pow and survived brainwashing by chinese