Captain Earl D. Miller
345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force
Based at Tarquinia Italy, Fall of 1944, flying ground attackmissions in the Po Valley in support of the US 5th Army.
They were flying P47D-27 Thunderbolts.
To the best of my knowledge, "Viking" was only on the left side of the nose.
Earl flew 185 Combat missions, earning the DFC and Silver Star in the process.
Quoting from his Silver Star Citation:
"For gallantry in action. On 21 December 1944, Captain Miller lead an eight plane formation of fighter-bombers in an attack on enemy rail lines near Gheadi, Italy. Upon approach to the target, shell fragments from intense anti aircraft fire heavily damaged his aircraft. Couragously electing to continue on his mission, Captain Miller dived through the accurate barrage and guided his P47s on a perfect run over the objective, allowing them to score direct hits, cutting the tracks in five places. Despite the crippled condition of his plane, Captain Miller reformed his flight and lead repeated strafing attacks against rail lines and highways in the area, destroying or damaging six locomotives, seventeen freight cars and eleven motor vehicles, before returning his formation safely to base. His gallant devotion to duty and outstanding proficiency in combat have reflected great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States."
Earl later flew over 100 combat missions in A1 Skyraiders while serving as an Advisor in the early stages of the Vietnam war.
Dan/Slack
BTW the photos were taken in the Fall of 44.