brookins

Richard C. Brookins (December 30, 1918 - December 7, 2003) As per the Imperial War Museum's American Air Power Museum website: www.americanairmuseum.com/person/181407

Flew two tours as combat pilot, shot down twice and had to bail out a total of three times. Flew Spitfires, P-47’s and P-51’s, and always named his planes “The Duchess". Credited 4.25 destroyed [1.25 x Air, 3 x Ground]. On climb out for an operational mission the engine on P-47D 42-75250 exploded, pilot baled out A/C crashed near Thurlton. Returned to Duty (RTD). Shot down on mission but evaded and Returned to Duty (RTD). Awards: LOM, DFC, AM, PH, WWII Victory, EAME, UN and Korean medal.

As per the Online Archive of California (OAC), his papers are part of the collection held by the San Diego Air and Space Museum (SDASM), Collection No. SDASM.SC.10177. See: oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8jm2g98/

A remarkable collection of early aviators (as described on the photo) in St. Louis in October 1911. From left to right: Walter Brookins A. Roy Knabenshue Howard Gill Dr. Henry W. Walden Andrew Drew George W. Beatty Albert B. Lambert Phil Parmelee Cliff Turpin Alfred Elton John D. Cooper

Richard C. Brookins wearing civilian clothes, in the process of having "passport" photos taken. The printed photos were provided to pilots as escape aids, for use in making false identification papers (typically with the help of local resistance organizations) if shot down behind enemy lines.