Colonel ARTHUR F. JEFFREY

 

After arriving in Europe, Arthur Jeffrey became the top-scoring P-38 Ace with the 479th Fighter Group, and later became the Group's leading scorer after they converted to P-51s. He went on to command the 434th Fighter Squadron.

 

Arthur Jeffrey had the distinction of being the first pilot to shoot down the Luftwaffe's jet-rocket aircraft - the Me-163.

 

He flew 82 combat missions and was credited with 14 aerial victories.

 

Arthur Jeffrey ended his tour as a lieutenant colonel in command of the 434th Fighter Squadron, with a list of combat awards including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters.
 

Art Jeffrey was from Cardin and graduated from Picher high,
Class of 1937.