The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was one of the most important American fighters of WWII. Although its operational record was somewhat mixed, in general the P-38 was a fast, powerful and capable aircraft that performed well in a wide range of roles.
The P-38 served throughout the Pacific, from the Aleutians to New Guinea to Burma and China. The Lightning gained fame in the hands of Army Major Richard I. Bong, whose 40 aerial victories were scored in the P-38, making him the highest-scoring American ace of the war. P-38 pilots were also credited with the downing of Japanese Admiral Yamamoto. A P-38 piloted was the first American aircraft to land in Japan after VJ-Day, when the pilot and his wingman set down because his wingman was low on fuel.
Do you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear and other artifacts? Read more about Supporting the AALCM.
We need help with transcribing data. Unit histories, personnel rosters and group records to digital. Want to help? Contact Us
If you have any data on servicemen rosters and their units and would like to submit it to our digital library; please Contact Us
