Major James H. Howard, who was decorated with the Medal of Honor for his combat action on January 11, 1944, while single-handedly defending a bomber formation from enemy attack while serving as the CO of the 354th FG in the ETO, originally got his start with the US Navy, and flew F3Fs while assigned to VF-6 of USS Enterprise, from 1939-1941. He then volunteered to go to China with the American Volunteer Group/Flying Tigers (where he flew 56 combat missions over Burma). After going back to the US as an instructor in the USAAF, he later became the commander of the 354th Fighter Group.
Here he is pictured in front of F3F '6-F-12' of VF-6, as well as later photos of him with the AVG and with the 354th FG/his P-51B Ding Hao!.
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