Historical 31st Fighter Group Aircraft
Bronze Star award to Raga for his performance during the Battle of Britain. Smiley had 3 kills claimed and survived every sortie.
To 2st Lt. Raga for for heroic actions involving the risk of life 15th AF high command awards you with the Bronze Star.
Here is a brief of what happened last night. would like to single out 3 pilots from the 31stFG for their outstanding
action between Schweinfurt & the area around Leipzig during TKT-Frame 1. I want to let these 3 pilots know their aerial performance did not go
unnoticed & was very much appreciated by at least one bomber pilot. You'll have to forgive me because the situation was pretty frantic at the
time, so I can only confirm -raga- as one of the pilots, but I've been told since that the other 2 were more than likely Smiley & =kjbl=.
My #1 engine was knocked out during the LW's 2nd or 3rd attack on the 450thBG formation & unable to keep up with the rest of the group, really
thought I was a goner. You can't imagine how comforting it was to have the 3 of you appear & stick with me - just watching you swirling around to
protect & shepherd me along made me think again I had a chance to make it all the way to our target. And I had even more admiration for what you
were doing when we reached the Lepzig area & you took those 190's & the 262 that came swooping down on our little band - and whether it was intentional
or not, was impressed with the fact that you lead them away from my area during the melee. [My secret wish has always been too able to handle a
fighter like that, but I've had to settle for bombers because I really just plain suck at flying them & found the only thing I'm good it is acting as
bait - LOL]
Shortly after you disappeared from sight my tail gunner was able to get a confirmed kill on a 2nd 262 that appeared in a diving attack on our six -
but I unfortunately have to report that a couple of minutes later [and only 11-12mi from "Bombs Away"] a 3rd 262 came out of no where & sawed our left
wing off right between #1 & #2 engines & had to hit the silk.......... But ya know what? We were sooooo close, I just can't help but think we might
be able to get the job done in the next frame! IMHO you fellas deserve some sort of medal or award for a job more than
well done - and if nothin' happens for ya along those lines, at least know your actions on this one mission alone are good for a round or two of brew
- nah, let's make that a party & a case or two when we finally meet face to face, courtesy of this appreciative buff driver!
Congrats 2st LT Good Luck in the Air Force.
lb
