P-51 "Tar Heel" Capt James Starnes 339th FG

More Info on the photo of Capt Starnes getting medal!

The information that sparky ask about the photo of Capt Stanes being awarded a medal is , A French General awarding Capt Jim Starnes the
Croix De Guerre. Spoke with the Colonel tonight by phone and he is doing well and was delighted to hear that I shared these photos with the members of this fine forum. I know from talking to many 339th men, their respect and love of the British people they meet during the war and on their many returns to Fowlmere is very strong. They are getting together this Oct in Tampa, Flordia for another reunion. I also spoke to Stephen C. Ananian who flew “Baby Mine” with the 339th and got one ME-262 and damaged another. He now writes the groups newsletter and is having his gun camera footage and some movie footage he shot with a camera he carried in this Mustang , put out on DVD. I will post a link and update when this become available. I count myself a lucky man just to speak with men like this , its 2005 and I am talking to the men who did these brave feats now 60 plus years on !

Thanks!
BlueNoser352!

Dan you are correct sir !!

Dan:

Yes you are correct and I have talked to Col Starnes about this before, the young man had a real talent for writting, a life and career cut way to short!
Hope all is well !
TC!

Seems like I recall that Bert Stiles flew Starne’s aircraft while Starnes was on leave.

Dan

Thanks Martin and Sarky, I keep in close contact with Col Stranes over the years and will have to ask him about that award ceremony. Might be Belgium military??? He does have a medal from each country for his service with the 339th. Martin I can’t believe you don’t have this photograph in your massive collection…you knowledege of the P-51 is outstanding . I did see a very interesting program on this week on what we call The Discovery Channel. They had a great story from around 1948 or 1949 about a Kentucky Air National Guard P-51 chasing what the pilot thought was a UFO!!!
Sadly he crashed and was killed, the program tried to recontruct the crash case with all the info & data they could find and mix it in with new science. They believe he blacked out due to lack of oxygen and crashed. Thought it was a rather interesting program and the show used a real P-51 from out in California to simulate the chase in the sky! Hey, if its about the P-51 I know you have a massive collection of data and material on all aspects of the Mustang! Hope all is well in Switzerland with you and family!

All The Best!
BlueNoser352!

Do you know who is making the award and what nationality he is?
French maybe by the uniform

Thanks, buddy !

especially the 2nd shot is great since I haven’t seen it before.

Martin

With the Colonel and his real A-2 !

On a visit to the home of Col Jim Starnes ( USAF Ret.) to compare my tribute A-2 with his real McCoy! He wore this A-2 while flying combat in his P-51 Tar Heel 505th Sq 339th FG! Go his to sign a print for me as well. A fine man and leader in his days at Folwmere .

BlueNoser352!

Capt Starnes at medal awards ceremony at Fowlmere!

From the Starnes collection , here is a photo of the Capt Starnes at an award ceremony at Folwmere.

BlueNoser352!

Now let’s try this again !

At Folwmere…..”Tar Heel” is parked awaiting another mission with the 339th and Capitan Jim Starnes!

BlueNoser352!

“Tar Heel” at Fowlmere !

Nice shot of Capt Jim Starnes “Tar Heel” sitting on the flight line at Fowlmere!

BlueNoser352!