Lt. Colonel James Zweizig, USAF
ww2 Ike Jacket
Dress Blue, Class A, USAF
Vietnam Era Fatigue Shirt, Baseball Cap.
Lieutenant Colonel J. A. Zweizig was born in Hamburg, Pennsylvania on December 3, 1921. After public primary education, he attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College until April 1943 when he joined the U. S. Army Air Corps.
Lt Col Zweizig became an aviation cadet at Maxwell Field, Alabama, and graduated as a pilot in January, 1944. During World War II, Lt Col Zweizig (at the time Lieutenant Zweizig) flew 100 combat missions in the European Theater with the 371st Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. He flew the P-47 Thunderbolt.
In 1946 he separated from the Army and completed his college education, earning a BS degree in education. Upon being recalled to active duty in 1951, he flew with the newly formed Air Defense Command. Flying out of Dover AFB, Lt Col Zweizig flew P-51, F-84, F-86, and F-94 aircraft. He saw action in Korea with the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and flew 62 missions in the F-94B. After Korea, he flew with the 27th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in the F-94C and F-86D.
In 1961, Lt Col Zweizig received AC&W training at Tyndall AFB. Following a tour with AC&W at Topsham AFS, Maine, he became Assistant Operations Officer at the 604th AC&W Squadron, Freising, Germany. On April 14, 1966, Lt Col Zweizig assumed command of Det 2, Hq 86th Air Div at Kindsbach, Germany.
Lt Col Zweizig has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, 19 Air medals, and numerous theater and campaign awards. He and his wife, Delores, live on Ramstein Air Force Base with their son Craig. Lt Col Zweizig's hobby is golf.
| WW 2 |
| 9th AF |
| 371st Fighter Group |
| 404th Fighter Squadron |
| Flew P-47 fighters |
| Name of plane...Dearest Jean |
| Flew 100 combat missions |
| On his 97th mission, April 17, 1945, he shot down a German ME-262 Jet |
| Korea |
| Flew F-94B fighter jets and F-86 Fighter Jets and attached to the 319 Fighter Interceptor Squadron |
| Viet Nam |
| 536th Troop Carrier Squadron |
| 604th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron |
| Retired as Lt. Colonel |
P-47, Dearest Jean
P-47 of James Zweizig
JAMES A. ZWEIZIG, O-821830, 1st Lt, Air Corps, 371st Fighter Group. For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight on 17 March 1945. While loading a formation on a mission to bomb and strafe enemy troop concentrations Lt ZWEIZIG displayed superior airmanship and courage. Despite heavy overcast and the close proximity of friendly ground forces Lt ZWEIZIG flying at extremely low and vulnerable altitude, directed several well coordinated bombing and strafing attacks which resulted in the destruction of vital enemy materiel and equipment and the immediate advance of the ground forces without further opposition. The outstanding leadership, aerial proficiency and determination exhibited by Lt. ZWEIZIG on this occasion are indicative of his devotion to duty. Entered military service from Pennsylvania.
By direction of the President, Captain JAMES A. ZWEIZIG, AO821830, United States Air Force, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster).
CITATION
Captain JAMES A. ZWEIZIG distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of an F-94B all-weather fighter, 319th Fighter Interceptor squadron, Fifth Air Force, on the night of 6 May 1953. While on a barrier screen mission over North Korea Captain ZWEIZIG was ordered to intercept an enemy jet fighter in the area east of Sinuiju, North Korea by Tactical Air Direction Center. Radar contact was established at a range of four (4) miles in a head-on attack. As Captain ZWEIZIG made a hard right turn to get behind the enemy, radar contact was lost. At this time the attack was discontinued by Tactical Air Direction Center as the bandit had flown back across the Yalu River. By his aggressiveness and high degree of flying skill Captain ZWEIZIG prevented the enemy from attacking the friendly bombers in the area. Captain ZWEIZIG brought great credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations and the United States Air Force.
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL
TO JAMES A. ZWEIZIG
Lieutenant Colonel James A. Zweizig distinguished himself by meritorious service as Operations Officer and Commander while assigned to the 604th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron and to Detachment 2, 86th Air Division from 14 April 1964 to 26 March 1967. During this period Lieutenant Colonel Zweizig's outstanding professional skill, knowledge and leadership aided immeasurably in identifying problem areas in the field of air defense and in developing and implementing research projects capable of solving these problems. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Zweizig reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force
By direction of the President, Captain JAMES A. ZWEIZIG, AO 821830, United States Air Force, has been awarded the Fourteenth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.
CITATION
Captain JAMES A. ZWEIZIG distinguished himself by meritorious achievement as a pilot of a F-94B aircraft, 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Fifth Air Force, while participating in aerial flight in the Korean conflict from 5 April 1953 to 6 May 1953. He has displayed courage, skill and aggressiveness, which has contributed greatly to the success of the mission. Through his skill and airmanship, and unfailing devotion to duty, Captain ZWEIZIG has brought great credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.
By direction of the President, Captain JAMES A. ZWEIZIG, AO 821830, United States Air Force, has been awarded the Fifteenth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.
CITATION
Captain JAMES A. ZWEIZIG distinguished himself by meritorious achievement as a pilot of an F-94B aircraft, 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Fifth Air Force, while participating in aerial flight in the Korea conflict from 7 May 1953 to 23 July 1953. He has displayed courage, skill and aggressiveness, which has contributed greatly to the success of the mission. Through his skill and airmanship, and unfailing devotion to duty, Captain ZWEIZIG has brought great credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.
Leather Binder Created Out Of German Aircraft Parts, War Souvenier
James Zweizig in his P-47
WW2, Korea, Vietnam grouping to Lt. Col James A. Zweizig. WW2 flew in the 9th AF, 371st fighter group, 404th fighter squadron. He flew 100 combat missions in a P-47 named Dearest Jean. On his 97th mission April 17, 1945 he shot down a German ME-262 jet fighter. On that date he was commanding a 12 aircraft armed recon target of opportunity mission. Around Leipzig he spotted a plane coming off the runway and dived in and fired in time to collect his only kill of the war a jet ME-262. In Korea he flew F-94 B fighter jets and F-86 jets attached to the 319th fighter Interceptor squadron. In Vietnam he flew in the 536th Troop Carrier squadron and the 604th Aircraft control and warning squadron. Retired in 1970 as a Lt. Col.
4 different service uniforms.
1. WW2 Lt. Officers Ike jacket with sterling marked wings.
2. Korea Lt. Col Officers Blue service jacket with paints and overseas hat.
3. Dinner Dress Black Lt. Col. jacket with paints
4. OD Lt. Col. Vietnam era jacket with hat.
Original documents from Lt. Col Zweizig and copies of DFC, Air Medal and Air Force Commendation award documents. 5 different service maps. Large photo of Lt Col and 2 small photos of ww2 plane Dearest Jean. Small bible with 2 high school photos of him. Over 11 different service and valor medals in the cases from his years of service.
Medals
Leather Binder Created Out Of German Aircraft Parts (leather from self-sealing tanks), War Souvenier
Do you have WWII memorabilia that you are not sure what to do with it? The children don't want it? Then let us help you preserve this history by donating these items to the Army Air Corps Library and Museum. We are accepting donations in the form of uniforms, medals, ribbons, patches, photos, memorabilia, papers, gear and equipment. We also accept monetary donations to support our operations and long term plans. This website is part of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, and as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
Read about how we need your support and use donations.
Historical Artifacts: We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms, medals, insignia, gear, manuals, and training material. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material. Contact Today
Are you an AAC, AAF or USAF Veteran, family member, historian or WW2 enthusiast? We Need YOU! Contact us today to see how you can help the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, a Texas Not-For-Profit Corporation. We need your help! We are looking for volunteers that can help us with the following tasks. Typing and Transcriptionists: One of our big projects is extracting data from the thousands of documents we have and putting this data into a database where we can display the information on a website such as this one. We also need assistance with retyping unit history documents.