bluenose punchy

Bluenosers in action featuring Bob "Punchy" Powell and "Smiling" Jack Thornell

Lt. Bob "Punchy" Powell forms up on the wing of Lt. Jack Thornell for the flight back to their base at Bodney, England on 21 June 1944 after a battle near Magdeburg. On this date the 486th Squadron was dispatched to fly the first Russia Shuttle Mission with the 4th FG. Meanwhile the remaining two squadrons of Bluenosers flew a bomber escort mission of their own. They ran into a bunch of Me 410s and Me109s. In the engagement that followed the 328th FS destroyed two Me 410s and damaged three while the 487th destroyed two of the 109s and damaged another. Thornell shared in the destruction of one of the 410s while Powell damaged one of them.

Lt. Robert H. "Punchy" Powell poses with his P-51B "The West 'by Gawd' Virginian" during the Summer of 1944.

Lt. Jack Thornell & squadron mates check out a 50 calibre machine gun in front of Don Bryan's P-47, From left: Fred "Pappy" Yochim, Fremont Miller, Don Bryan and Jack Thornell. Jack's P-51B undergoes some maintenance prior to D-Day. Note the fake gun port painted above the external fuel tank.

"Smiling Jack Thornell flew 91 missions with the 352nd FG and scored 19. 25 victories against the Luftwaffe.

Jack was awarded the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Distinguished Service Cross. Thornell remained in the Air Force after the war and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1971.

Photos copyright ©352nd FG Association via Sam Sox. Used with permission.

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