John Truluck

1st Lt. J ohn H . T ruluck a . Combat b . 26 November 1943 c . 6 3rd Fighter Squadron , 56th Fighter Group d . 1 2 10 and 1220 hours e . Fr iesoythe f . 3/10 cloud; good visibility. g . 1 Me 110 and 1 F W 190 h . 1 F W 190 D estroyed , 1 Me 110 Damaged i . I was Postgate Blue 2. We approached the bomber formation from about 7 to 8 o'clock to them. Capt. Mahurin, leading Blue flight, reported the bandits attacking bombers and went down on a Me 110. He was going too fast and overshot, so I throttled back. The 110 broke down into a controlled spin. I followed him about two turns, firing 50 to 60 rounds and observed scattered hits. As I broke off some smoke was trailing from each of his engines. (See statement of Lt. Comstock) I pulled up looking for Capt. Mahurin. I gained altitude to about 23/25,000 feet and saw an Me 110 ahead and going about 90 degrees to my course. Some P-47's were milling around. One closed on this Me 110 and each engine was on fire. As the 47 broke off the Me 110 went into a spin. I passed over the 47 that did the firing and it was Lt. Comstock (UN – Y ). To the rear of Lt. Comstock were some P-47's. An FW 190 was closing on the tail of one of the 47's. I went down on him. As I approached to about 700 yards he broke away from the P-47 and headed into the sun. I followed him. He came out of the sun and started down. I was 300 yards behind him when I opened fire. He was carrying a belly tank. Pieces broke off all over the ship. He then exploded. I flew through the pieces of his ship. (see statement of Lt. Comstock) I pulled up to about 25,000 feet and started down on a Me 109. He pulled up into a steep climbing turn – completed a chandelle then rolled over and went down. I was to the rear of the bombers, alone, so I headed out, parallel to them. I left the bombers near the Western Shore of the Zuider Zee and started home – joining a couple of 61st Squadron ships at the coast, on the way home. I claim 1 F W 190 destroyed and 1 Me 110 damaged .