Draft:Arthur Fiedler (fighter pilot)

Arthur Charles Fiedler Jr.
Born	(1923-08-01)August 1, 1923 Oak Park, Illinois
Died	May 11, 2016(2016-05-11) (aged 92) Oxnard, California
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army Air Forces
Years of service	1942–1945, 1950–1976
Rank	Colonel
Service number	0-808668
Unit	325th Fighter Group
Battles / wars	World War II, Vietnam War
Awards	Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit
Alma mater	University of Illinois

Arthur Charles Fiedler Jr. was a fighter ace with 8 victories in World War II in the United States Army Air Forces.

Early life

Fiedler was born in Oak Park, Illinois on August 1, 1923. Prior to World War II, he intended to become a professional musician. He was a violin concert master.

World War II

Fiedler enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April 1942. He did his primary training in Avon Park Florida, followed by basic training in Macon, Georgia. His advanced training was conducted in Marianna, Florida. After completing pilot training, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Lossin. He graduated with Class 43G in July 1943, and was assigned as a flight instructor, flying P-47 Thunderbolts at Dover Army Airbase. In April 1944, after his flight instructor duty, Fiedler was assigned to combat duty and deployed to the Mediterranean Theater, as part of the Fifteenth Air Force, 325 Fighter Group "The Checkertail Clan", and 317 Fighter Squadron based in Lesina, Italy. His unit later transitioned to the P-51 Mustang. He named his P-51 Helen after his wife.

On June 24, 1944, Fiedler claimed his only probable victory. On June 28, 1944 he scored his first two aerial victories. At that morning's briefing Fiedler learned that his squadron's mission would be a fighter sweep over Ploesti, Romania, in advance of a bombing mission targeting the massive oil refining operations in that area. Fiedler became an ace on July 26 when he scored his fourth and fifth aircraft near Graz, Austria, a Fw-190 and a Bf-109 several minutes later. Promoted to Captain, Fiedler attained his eighth and final victory on January 20, 1945 while escorting B-17s to Regensburg, Germany. His flight of four P-51s broke-up an attacking force of 40 German fighters.

Post War

After the war, Art graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He was reactivated in the Air Force for the Korean War. Fiedler was assigned to Vance Air Force Base as a flight instructor, he chose to continue his career as a military pilot. In addition to his 66 combat missions flown in World War II, Fiedler would fly in the Korean War, then 247 combat missions in C-130s during the Vietnam War. He earned the Legion of Merit for his service in Vietnam.

Later life and Death

Fiedler retired from the USAF in 1975, and resided in Oxnard, California. His decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 22 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Partisan Star. Fiedler contributed to a number of books, and participated with other World War II veterans in air show discussion panels and autograph signings. Fiedler was featured on Season 2, Episode 8 of the History Channel series Dogfights titled "No Room For Error." Throughout his life, Fiedler has participated in many clubs, activities and organizations including Toastmasters, the "Checkertail Clan", and the "Quiet Birdmen". Fiedler died on May 11, 2016 in Oxnard, California at the age of 92.