Years of service 1940 – 1943 Commands held 80th Fighter Squadron | Rank Major Name Edward Cragg | |
Born September 8, 1919Mt Vernon, New York, United States ( 1919-09-08 ) Died December 26, 1943(1943-12-26) (aged 24)Borgen Bay, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Papua New Guinea (MIA) Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Army Air Forces | ||
Edward "Porky" Cragg (September 8, 1919 – missing in action December 26, 1943 – finding of death January 16, 1946 ) was a triple ace (15 kills) and a Major in the United States Army Air Forces.
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Pre-World War II
Edward Cragg was born at Mount Vernon, New York, on September 8, 1919. He spent his youth in the Greenwich / Cos Cob area of Connecticut, graduating from Greenwich High School in the class of 1936. In September 1937, he enrolled in the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance at New York University, New York. He was working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. In September 1940, he withdrew from the University to enlist.
World War II
He enlisted as a flying cadet on November 30, 1940. He received his elementary training at Albany, Georgia, his basic training at Gunter Field, Alabama from February to April 1941, and his advanced flying training at the Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Craig Field, Selma, Alabama. He was appointed a second lieutenant, Air Reserve on July 11, 1941, and was ordered to active duty on the following day.
Upon graduation from Advanced Flying School, he remained at the school until July 1941 when he was ordered to the Panama Canal Zone, for duty as Assistant Squadron Engineering Officer and later becoming Engineering Officer of the 28th Pursuit Squadron in the 37 Pursuit Group, stationed at Albrook Field. While there he was promoted to first lieutenant on September 5, 1942.
In spring 1942, he was reassigned to what was then designated the 80th Pursuit Squadron, part of the 8th Pursuit Group, Fifth Air Force in the Southwest Pacific area. Both the squadron and group were soon redesignated from "Pursuit" to "Fighter". Initially, the squadron flew P-39 Airacobras. Cragg named his "Porky", and soon acquired the nickname of "Porky". He was promoted to captain on December 17, 1942
On April 8, 1943, he became the commander of the 80th. Among his first actions was giving the Squadron the name "The Headhunters" after the local New Guinean headhunter tribes who hated the Japanese and helped to rescue downed pilots. He also commissioned crewchief Yale Saffro, a former Walt Disney Studios artist, to design the 80th's patch, the likeness of the proud Papuan Chief of New Guinea. This original design can be seen "here". . Squadron lore credits him with arranging the equipping the squadron with the new P-38 Lightning aircraft. He named his "Porky II".
During his tenure with the squadron he compiled an air-to-air combat record of 15 confirmed kills and 2 probable kills. He was promoted to major on July 6, 1943.
He served as commander of the Headhunters until he was reported missing in action over New Britain December 26, 1943. During that final mission he shot down his final kill. He was succeeded in command of the Headhunters by fellow squadron member and ace Major Jay "Cock" Robbins.
Decorations
The citations for the first three of the above awards can be seen "here".