Bob Hudson Posted January 19, 2020 Share #1 Posted January 19, 2020 This pilot spent 16 months in India during WWII, possibly flying P-38's. He served early in the Korean War with the 731st Bomb Squadron, flying night attack missions out of Iwakuni, Japan. In August 1945 he was one of the pilots who flew in formation over Los Angeles with ace Richard Bong as part of an anniversary celebration of the Army Air Force. Bong died a couple days later and this pilot was quoted in a news story about Bong's death.There were no documents with these items, but I found some things online that help fill in the gaps, and printed them out and put them in a cover. One of the two Air Medals is engraved. There is a shirt-sized pinback bullion wing from India.Here's a timeline based on the online docs:CHARLES PEYTON COTTON- 17 July 1919 born in Pennsylvania- 1940 Joined Stanford University Flying Cadet Unit No. 1- 26 Sept 1941 Enlisted in US Army Aviation Cadet Program- Feb 1943 Promoted to 1st Lt. at Kirtland Field, New Mexico- Circa May 1943 to Oct 1944 Flying in India, likely in P-38’s- Nov 1944 Palm Springs Army Air Field- Aug 1945 Training officer 5th Operational Training Unit, Palm Springs- Aug 1945 Flew in P-38 formation over Los Angeles with Richard Bong- 1950-51 Korean War B-26 night attack pilot 731st Bomb Squadron, Iwakuni, Japan- Aug 1953 received Air Medal & Presidential Unit Citation for Korea service Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share #2 Posted January 19, 2020 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted January 19, 2020 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 21, 2020 Share #4 Posted January 21, 2020 "That's a bold move, Cotton..." Neat group, and I love the bullion wings!The Air Medal definitely has Korean War era engraving on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodymyster Posted January 21, 2020 Share #5 Posted January 21, 2020 Bob, What are the chances? I have documents for Cotton as my Wife's neighbor of over 30 years just happens to be Cotton's Executive Officer's daughter. He was Cotton's Co Pilot when the 731st was sent to Japan also. I will try to upload some pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodymyster Posted January 21, 2020 Share #6 Posted January 21, 2020 Cotton is the one Kneeling on the Right. Jensen (Neighbor's father) is the one seated with his eyes closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodymyster Posted January 21, 2020 Share #7 Posted January 21, 2020 Ferrying Orders for the 731st Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted January 21, 2020 Bob, What are the chances? I have documents for Cotton as my Wife's neighbor of over 30 years just happens to be Cotton's Executive Officer's daughter. He was Cotton's Co Pilot when the 731st was sent to Japan also. I will try to upload some pics. Thanks - that he was CO of the 731st is something I didn't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted January 23, 2020 I had thought he flew a P-38 over Los Angeles, but a friend pointed out that the LA Times story apparently places him in a C-47 carrying a couple members of the press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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