John Richardson Alison (November 21, 1912 – June 6, 2011) was a highly decorated American combat ace of World War II and is often cited as the father of Air Force Special Operations.

Early years Born in Micanopy, Florida, near Gainesville in 1912, Alison graduated from the University of Florida School of Engineering and joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1936.Boltz, Images of Apollo's Warriors, pp. 41–44 He earned his wings and was commissioned at Kelly Field in 1937. Prior to America's entry into World War II, he served as Assistant Military Attache in England and helped British pilots transition into the P-40. In October 1941, Alison traveled to Moscow to administer the sensitive U.S.-Soviet P-40 Lend-Lease program. He trained Soviet pilots in the P-40, A-20, and B-25 Mitchell aircraft. In his autobiography, Jimmy Doolittle wrote:

Combat After ten months and repeated requests for reassignment to combat, Alison got his wish. In June 1942, he reported to the China-Burma-India Theater (CBI) to serve as Deputy Squadron Commander under major David Lee "Tex" Hill in the 75th Fighter Squadron, part of Colonel Robert Lee Scott Jr.'s 23rd Fighter Group, the USAAF successor of the AVG's famed Flying Tigers in the China-Burma-India Theater.

Alison was called into theater by the previous commander of the AVG, Brigadier General Claire Lee Chennault, who was serving as commander of the Fourteenth Air Force. On July 30, 1942, Alison was credited with the first night kills in the theater. For his experimental night interception, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.John Alison DSC Citation Home of Heroes (September 12, 1942); retrieved January 4, 2015Alison's mission is described in detail in American Aces in Great Fighter Battles of World War II (Edward H. Sims). The book's opening chapter, titled "Night Scramble at Hengyang" emphasizes how unorthodox were his actions, since the aircraft were not equipped for night flying, nor was the base lit; in addition, the nearby city was under wartime blackout. After downing three enemy aircraft in the darkness over his base, he ditched his damaged aircraft in the Siang River, where it was later salvaged to provide replacement parts for other damaged craft. Alison again demonstrated his aggressiveness in early 1943, when he took off during an attack on his own airfield, engaged three Mitsubishi A6M Zeros, and scored one probable kill. He then vectored arriving reinforcements to the battle, after which he made a stern attack on another enemy fighter at close range, shooting it down. His gallantry and fighting spirit earned him the Silver Star. Ending his tour as commander of the 75th Fighter Squadron, Alison left as an ace with seven confirmed victories and several probable kills. His former commanding officer, David Lee "Tex" Hill, had high praise for Alison:

Air Commando

Alison later commanded the 3rd Air Commando group in the Pacific serving in the Philippines and Okinawa.

Later years After the war, he served as an Assistant Secretary of Commerce, President of the Air Force Association, and as a major general in the Air Force Reserve. He retired as vice president of the Northrop Corporation in 1984 and is a 1994 inductee into the Air Commando Hall of Fame.Air Commando Hall of Fame retrieved January 26, 2008 In 2005, Alison was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was made an honorary member of the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.

Alison died on June 6, 2011, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on October 3, 2011. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton A. Schwartz provided the eulogy at the Old Post Chapel at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall. Following the chapel service, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented the American flag to Alison's wife, Penni, at the graveside service. Alison was survived by Penni, and their two sons, John and David. Shortly before his passing, he authorized the Washington DC Chapter of the Air Commando Association to use his name and they are known as the John R. Alison Chapter of the Air Commando Association.

Awards and decorations His awards and decorations include:

USAF Command Pilot BadgeDistinguished Service CrossArmy Distinguished Service MedalSilver StarLegion of Meritw/ 1 bronze oak leaf clusterDistinguished Flying CrossPurple HeartAir Medalw/ 1 bronze oak leaf clusterAir Force Presidential Unit CitationAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalw/ 1 silver and 1 bronze campaign starsWorld War II Victory MedalArmy of Occupation Medalw/ 'Japan' claspNational Defense Service MedalAir Force Longevity Service Awardw/ 1 silver and 3 bronze oak leaf clustersArmed Forces Reserve Medalw/ silver hourglass deviceDistinguished Service Order(United Kingdom)

Distinguished Service Cross citation Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) John Richardson Alison, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, Tenth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 30 July 1942, over Hengyang, China. On that date, Major John Alison took off in a P-40 fighting plane at 1:00 a.m. to intercept an enemy formation of three heavy bombers flying at 15,000 feet over Hengyang. Without hesitation, he closed for attack upon this superior force, and although receiving fire from the hostile wing ships in engine and cockpit, he delivered fire in succession to each of the three bombers, two of which burst into flames and crashed. The other turned from the attack with smoke pouring from both engines and probably did not reach its home base. With his damaged plane failing and pursuit impossible, Major John Alison would have been justified under the circumstances, in leaving his ship by parachute, but he chose to attempt a night crash landing in order to save his vitally needed equipment. Being unable to reach the field, he landed in a nearby river, from which his plane was salvaged. In attacking this superior force at night, destroying two bombers and possibly the entire hostile formation after his ship had been damaged by enemy cross fire, and then attempting to save his stricken plane, Major John Alison displayed extraordinary heroism and outstanding skill. His unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 10th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

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References

External links

Harry S. Truman LibraryJohn R. Alison Papers, 1945–1957 Veterans History ProgramJohn R. Alison Collection, including extended video interview available online. National Aviation Hall of Fame " John R. Alison Enshrinee Biography