Rated Among Top Aces of War

As MANY DARTMOUTH MEN know, the College numbers among its graduates who have fought so heroically in World War II, two of the top flyers of the European Theatre of Operations. The aces are Colonel David C. Schilling '39 and Lt. Colonel John C. Meyer '41.

In commenting on the records of these two Dartmouth fliers, Brigadier General John S. Allard, Chief of Staff to Lieut. General Doolittle during both the African and European campaigns, says in an official statement to the MAGAZINE:

"Of all the fighter pilots that came under my observation in the European-African Middle Eastern Theatre of Operations, I considered Colonel David C. Schilling and Lt. Colonel John C. Meyer two of the very best. I base this opinion not only on their impressive string of air victories but on the qualities of leadership and all-around ability they displayed both in the air and on the ground."

Schilling, during his 27 months overseas, shot down 24 German planes and destroyed another 10 on the ground. He was in command of the 56th Fighter Group of the 8th Air Force. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star with two clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with eight clusters, the Air Medal with 19 clusters and the Croix de Guerre with Palm.

Meyer, who flew a P-51 Mustang in the Bth Air Force is credited with destroying 24 German planes in the air and 131/2 on the ground. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross with cluster, the Silver Star with cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with five clusters, the Air Medal with 11 clusters, and the Purple Heart.

THE TOP ACES OF THE ETO, Lt. Colonel John C. Meyer '4l, left, and Colonel David C. Schilling '39.