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John P. Burns

John P. Burns

(September 22, 1917 — April 13, 1942). Lieutenant, serving in the 21st Pursuit Squadron, USAFFE.

November 28, 1941 

Formation with Dyess today–6 ships in a loop–rough but fun, best work out in a long time. Started getting P-40Es today, probably fly them tomorrow.

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November 29, 1941 

Today we went on a 24 hr. alert. Available at all times. Moving within three days. All planes fully loaded and charged at all times.

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November 30, 1941 

Quiet day–moved out near the field. Still on alert, have 9 P-40Es now. 34th left this morning. No air raid drills. The 21st was assigned

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December 1, 1941 

No flying today-crews working on planes. Getting armament fixed on all planes. Looks serious. Half squadron on alert at all times. The armorers of the

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December 2, 1941 

Looks worse every day. Col. George called us together and told us would be only a matter of a couple days. Have oxygen masks in

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December 3, 1941 

Not letting us fly now. Want planes ready to go all the time. Bad business–they need slow time and bugs removed. Plans always changing.

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December 5, 1941 

On fifteen minute alert today. Could not get off field all day, left at 6 p.m. though. All kinds of stories around. Going to San

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December 6, 1941 

Finally got in the air today. Slow time. Plane sure is different with the guns fully loaded. Still on alert. Doing nothing is sure getting

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December 7, 1941

Sunday again but you would never know it. Flew this morning. More slow time. Would like to get some practice in tactics, shoot the guns.

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December 8, 1941 

Two alerts before daylight. War started. Had patrol about noon. Moved to C.F. just before dark. C.F. bombed to hell and while we were patrolling

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December 9, 1941 

Took off before daylight. R.D. Clark killed on take-off. Also wrecked three other planes. Saw no Nips. Flew 7:00 hours. No food, sleep, or clean

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December 10, 1941 

Took off at 9:00, went Rosales and Nichols. Alert at N.F. Patrol there, just coming in when Nips hit. Didn’t stay long, landed out of

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December 11, 1941 

All day at Cabanatuan, no news from C.F. Been so long without food that I could hardly eat. Rested and wrote three letters, not happy

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December 12, 1941 

Arrived C.F. in time for raid–9 planes went directly overhead at about 2000′. Awful to hear bombs getting closer and nothing but a hole for

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December 13, 1941 

Light straffing attack on C.F. early, bombs an hour later. Left for Man. Arrived in time for raid, but it was on N.F. 54 ships.

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December 14, 1941 

Sunday again. Are staying in Catholic school in city, fairly safe. Several raids during day, no bombing. Good to be back with the Sqd’n again.

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December 15, 1941 

All of Sqd’n left for -x- today–10 officers here in M. for a while. Bombed N.F. again today, very little damage. Dyess plus four other

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December 16, 1941 

Very quiet day-had no raids. Reported into AF Hdq. Found jobs for all officers. Parcher and I do nothing but wait. Looks like Japs were

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December 17, 1941 

Another quiet day–no raids. Did very little but report into A.F. Hq. Sure wish we would get some mail. Have that last letter memorized now.

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December 21, 1941 

Sunday but just like every other day. I’m spoiling for something to do. I don’t want to fight, just something to keep me occupied.

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December 22, 1941 

Japs raided at breakfast today, something new. Large landing party at Lingayen. Navy must be asleep or not strong enough to keep them out. Or

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December 23, 1941 

Couple air raid alarms but no planes. Landing parties not doing so well. With something to do the days aren’t so long, censoring mail now.

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December 24, 1941 

Raided Port Area today. Started to evacuate all Air Corps troops from this vicinity. Blew up Nichols. Spent Xmas eve getting things ready to go

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December 25, 1941 

Rode all night and to noon. No food until night. Can’t find Sqdn. Slept on ground, dirty, etc. Merry Xmas! They bombed hell out of

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December 26, 1941 

Second day in jungle, bombings for about 3 1/2 hrs. Don’t know what they were after. Not many fell near us. Wish we could find

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