Us Official Photographs

2nd Lt Darrell Mcmahan saves flight leader in 8th Air Force

In order to save his flight leader, 1st Lt. Jack W. Pierce, 21 of Melbourne, Australia, who was limping home at low altitude in a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt which had crashed through a tree, an 8th Air Force Fighter Command Pilot, 2nd Lt. Darrell McMahan, of Pittsburg, Calif., made three perilous attacks on four flak positions, diverting their fire to himself and knocking one of them out. Lt. McMahan points out his planes insignia to Lt. Pierce, who almost had it happen to him and might well have, if it hadn't been for the teamwork shown by his wingman.