Major Ted Skowronek flew the P-51
Mustang “Diana-Mite”, (44-63630), when he was assigned
to the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, 9th USAAF,
in the European Theatre of Operations. The 354th Fighter Group
was known as the “Pioneer Mustangs”.
The 355th Fighter Squadron was called the “Pugnacious Pups”.
Major Skowronek flew 121 combat missions and 219.35 combat hours
with the 354th Fighter Group, and had 3.5 confirmed air-to-air
victories, two Bf 109s and 1.5 FW 190s. On August 25, 1944, after
shooting down an FW 190, his P-51 was damaged and he landed wheels-up
in an open field. He was rescued by the French Underground, and
hid in Paris, France until Patton’s 3rd Army arrived two
weeks later. He returned to the 354th FG and flew many more missions,
including the Battle of the Bulge.
After World War II, he was assigned to the new Test Pilot School
at Wright Field, Ohio and flew 23 different aircraft. He flew
with many other test pilots, including Don Gentile, Bob Hoover,
Steve Pisanos, and Chuck Yeager. His pilot skills were used to
develop Low Visibility Onboard Aircraft Approach equipment, Ejection
Seat development for jet aircraft, Bomb Delivery systems, Propeller
development, Landing Gear development, and Air Density Altitude
Envelopment development. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross, the Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart,
and 7 other service ribbons. - Signed by Ted Skowronek. |