(55th FGA Newsletter)
Maj. Richard W. Busching
(55th FGA Newsletter)
Maj. Richard W. Busching
338th FS - 30 September 1942 - 08 March 1944
HdQts - 08 March 1944 - 18 July 1944
| Assigned Aircraft |
Not Known |
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| Mission History |
Not Known |
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| Mission List |
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| Air Scores |
0-0-0 |
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| Ground Scores |
0-0 |
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| Notes | Entered service from Aimes, Iowa Known as 'Dick, or 'Bush' ASN - 0-427516 30 September 1942 - Joined the 338th Fighter Squadron 30 November 1942 - Promoted from 1st Lieutenant to Captain 11 April 1943 - Promoted from Captain to Major 20 November 1943 - Awarded the Air Medal 08 March 1944 - Assigned to group Headquarters and appointed Assistant Group S-3 Officer 26 June 1944 - Detached Service to Engineering Division, VIII Air Force 18 July 1944 - Transferred to VIII Air Force Headquarters Crew Chief - T/Sgt. Edgar L. Hancock |
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| Memories | 'Behind the Bush' Chet Patterson
(via 55th FG Newsletter) 'When I first reported to Portland Air Base right out of Cadet School, Capt Dick Busching was a very impressive figure to me. Not only was he a captain, the rank of our commandant of cadets, he also had four hours in the P38, more than anyone in the 55th at that time. As time went by we became close friends. When Bush was made the CO of the 338th, I became one of his flight leaders and he gave me my first two promotions. I remember Bush in my minds eye, more from the back of him. I can see him now ... his arms are at two and eight o'clock and he is standing a pace or two in front of me, facing Col. Jack Jenkins. So many times Bush was my defender. And, believe me, I needed someone like him between me and Col. Jenkins. One of the worst encounters happened at Port Angeles. I had been practicing to do a loop off the ground using the clouds as my ground point. I decided I was ready to try a loop off the runway, something I had never seen anyone in the 55th do yet. While I was warming up, Col. Jenkins arrived at the field unannounced. When he got on the line everyone was pointing up, saying, "Here he comes". Well, it went off just as I had planned. I started the loop about 20 feet off the deck right at the center of the runway and finished right at that point and at 20 feet. I was mighty proud so was very surprised to hear over the air about 3 minutes later to land immediately and to park at the tower and not at my hardstand -not exactly the words I had expected. Then, as I cut the engines, I saw Bush with his arms akimbo holding back Col. Jenkins who was coming for me. That was one of many times I wished Bush was bigger, but he never would have been big enough to hide me and a P38. He was a great protector and a dear friend.' |
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| Additional Photos |
Maj. Busching with crew
(T/Sgt. Hancock on right of group) (F. Birtciel) (L-R) Maj. Todd Crowell and Capt. Busching (Jack Jenkins via NARS)
Maj. Busching at Nuthamsptead (D. Herbst via 55th FG
Newsletter) |