A thoughtful Colonel Arthur Charles Fiedler remembers his time with the 325th Fighter Group in the 317th Fighter Squadron.
Colonel Arthur C. Fiedler Jr. who would become an eight-victory ace was born August 1, 1923 in Oak Park, Illinois. In April 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet and was awarded his commission and wings on July 28, 1943. He was assigned as a P-47 flight instructor at Dover, Delaware, but in May 1944, he was sent overseas and assigned to the 317th Fighter Squadron of the 325th Fighter Group. The 317th which was then flying P-51B Mustangs was based at Lesina, Italy. Fiedler quit the Air Force to obtain a college education but was recalled involuntarily for the Korean conflict and then decided to remain in the Air Force. He attended the Army Command and General Staff College and served in several challenging assignments. One of his most interesting was with the Space Systems Division where he served as the Chief of Launch Vehicle Planning and Maneuverable Spacecraft Divisions. . Between 1966 and 1970, he flew over 1000 C-130 sorties in Viet Nam and retired in 1975 as a Colonel. Fiedler has been awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with 21 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, a Partisan Star from Yugoslavia, plus numerous other decorations and awards. He and his family retired to Southern California where he enjoys his hobbies and the great weather.
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