Tag Archives: wwii

Up for sale is a USAF’Flight Ace’ brand Mess Dress white Cap named to then Lt. Colonel (later full Colonel) Billy Clemmons, who flew P-51D’s during WWII and shot down several aircraft including the Me-262 Jet fighter (bio below). This cap is in excellent condition with a few very minor spots/aging. Colonel Billy Clemmons was born to Robert Henry and Mallie Olivia (Stem) Clemmons. He spent part of his childhood in Lebanon, TN. On December 20, 1942, he married Jean Dolores Sterling. He entered pilot training in January 1943 and earned his wings at Moore Field, Mission, Texas, in February 1944. After completing more training, he was sent to the 55th fighter wing, 38th F. Of the 8th Air Force in England. He flew P-51 Mustangs and finished his tour as the war ended in 1945. He was credited with an “unofficial” air war fighter ace, with four and one-half victories (one and one-half of which were German ME 262s). Few P-51 pilots went up against the German jets. After a brief time (while attending Baylor) he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and was assigned to fly the F-86 Sabre Jet with the 75th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. He was then assigned to the 513th F. S in England and France. After returning to the states he was assigned to the air training command, as an instructor pilot in T-37s, T-38s. He spent many years as an instructor in jets. He attended many schools in the military including the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. He was then assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D. He was instrumental in implementing the World Wide Military Command and Control System; the true predecessor of the internet. Clemmons retired from the Air Force at Barksdale Field in Shreveport, LA. During his career, he earned the following medals, Euro-African-Mideastern Campaign Medal, Air-Force outstanding unit award with 2 oak leaf clusters. American Campaign Medal, Air Longevity Service Award with 6 oak leaf clusters, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, North American Campaign Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal with 9 oak leaf clusters, Natl. Defense Service Medal with one bronze star and an Air Force Achievement Medal.