Thanks to Lyric1 and Mister Fork for the photo help on this one.
Lt. Col. Edward O. McComas was squadron commander of the 23rd Fighter Group's 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. This F-6C (P-51C-5-NT) named "Barbara's"/"Miss Revenge" was his primary aircraft during his seven and a half month tour in China where he was credited with 14 aerial victories--including five in one mission on 23 December 1944--along with four more destroyed on the ground. He was also credited (assisted by his wingman) with sinking a Japanese destroyer in Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong.
Although physically ill for most of his time in China, McComas pressed on and remained in command of the 118th until January 1945 when, due primarily to increasingly serious physical problems exacerbated by a bailout behind enemy lines on September 29, 1944, he returned to the United States for medical treatment. He was the only American to achieve ace-in-a-day status in the CBI Theater.
He later flew 35 jet missions in Korea with the 8th FG before his back problems forced him to again return home. He would suffer with agonizing pain for three more years before committing suicide on June 22, 1954 at the age of 35.
Among his numerous decorations, citations, and honors, McComas received the Silver Star (for his role in the sinking of the aforementioned Japanese destroyer in Hong Kong Harbor), the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart with one cluster, the Air Medal with three clusters, and the Republic of China's Order of the Flying Cloud.
Originally skinned by BH3841 I have redrawn it completely for AH3. Of note is the addition of the fuselage photo camera with "glass" over the lens.
Click thumbnail for uncompressed offsite image.
