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Raymond Henry Littge (October 18, 1923 – May 20, 1949) was an American
flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviation, military aviator credited with shooting down a certain minimum number of enemy aircraft during aerial combat; the exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ...
in the 352nd Fighter Group during
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, who was credited with 23.5 aerial victories.


Early life

Littge was born on 1923 to Henry and Martha Ahner Littge. After his father passed away when he was at age 4, Littge, six brothers and a sister were raised by their mother. In 1939, he gained interest in flying and worked in a farm to pay for his flying lessons. He attended Altenberg High School for two years, but graduated from Perryville High School in 1942.


Military career

After graduation from high school, Littge enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the
U.S. Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...
on July 1, 1942, and was not inducted until January 19, 1943, at
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri The Jefferson Barracks Military Post is located on the Mississippi River at Lemay, Missouri, south of St. Louis. It was an important and active U.S. Army installation from 1826 through 1946. It is the oldest operating U.S. military installatio ...
. Littge was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Dale Mabry Field in Florida, on December 5, 1943.


World War II

After completing training in the
P-51 Mustang The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter aircraft, fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in 1940 by a team headed ...
, Littge was assigned to the
487th Fighter Squadron The 487th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It activated during World War II and was assigned to the 352nd Fighter Group of VIII Fighter Command. After training in the United States, it deployed to the European Thea ...
of the 352nd Fighter Group. Based at
RAF Bodney Royal Air Force Bodney or more simply RAF Bodney is a former Royal Air Force List of former Royal Air Force stations, Station located west of Watton, Norfolk, Watton, Norfolk, England. Originally built as an RAF Bomber Command airfield durin ...
in
Norfolk Norfolk ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in England, located in East Anglia and officially part of the East of England region. It borders Lincolnshire and The Wash to the north-west, the North Sea to the north and eas ...
, England, he flew his first combat mission on July 1, 1944. On his 46th mission, Littge scored his first aerial victories, when he shot down three
Messerschmitt Bf 109 The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a monoplane fighter aircraft that was designed and initially produced by the Nazi Germany, German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt#History, Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW). Together with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the ...
s on November 27, 1944. Initially he was credited in shooting down two Bf 109s, but a review of Littge's
gun camera Gun cameras are cameras mounted on a gun, used to photograph or record from its perspective. They are typically used on the weapons of military aircraft and operate either when the gun is fired or at the operator's will. Gun cameras are used for ...
resulted him in being credited with three aerial victories. He finally became a
flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviation, military aviator credited with shooting down a certain minimum number of enemy aircraft during aerial combat; the exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ...
, when he shot down three
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 The Focke-Wulf Fw 190, nicknamed ''Würger'' (Shrike) is a German single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank at Focke-Wulf in the late 1930s and widely used during World War II. Along with its well-known counterpart, the ...
s on December 27, bringing his total to six aerial victories. On a fighter sweep later in the year over France, he was shot down, but managed to bail out his aircraft. With the help of
French Resistance The French Resistance ( ) was a collection of groups that fought the German military administration in occupied France during World War II, Nazi occupation and the Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy#France, collaborationist Vic ...
, he escaped capture and managed to return to England within 12 days. During the
Battle of the Bulge The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive or Unternehmen Die Wacht am Rhein, Wacht am Rhein, was the last major German Offensive (military), offensive Military campaign, campaign on the Western Front (World War II), Western ...
, which started on December 16, the
487th Fighter Squadron The 487th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It activated during World War II and was assigned to the 352nd Fighter Group of VIII Fighter Command. After training in the United States, it deployed to the European Thea ...
was moved forward to airfield Y-29 near Asch,
Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
. On New Year's Day 1945, Littge was one of 12 Mustang pilots led by 487th FS commander John C. Meyer that had started their takeoff roll when a large formation of Fw 190s and Bf 109s hit the field. In the ensuing battle, Littge shot down two Fw 190s. For his heroism in the aerial battle, he was awarded the
Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against a ...
. Littge continued to score aerial and ground victories. On January 24, 1945, he shot down a Bf 109 over
Bonn Bonn () is a federal city in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, located on the banks of the Rhine. With a population exceeding 300,000, it lies about south-southeast of Cologne, in the southernmost part of the Rhine-Ruhr region. This ...
and on March 23, while leading the 'Yellow' flight, Littge attempted to attack a jet-powered
Messerschmitt Me 262 The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed (German for "Swallow") in fighter versions, or ("Storm Bird") in fighter-bomber versions, is a fighter aircraft and fighter-bomber that was designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Messers ...
that attacked a group of
B-24 Liberators The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and some initial production aircraft were laid down as export models desi ...
. After engaging in a 15-minute chase of the aircraft, he decided to break of the chase and to orbit around Rechlin–Lärz Airfield in the hopes of engaging a Me 262 in a landing pattern. Not long, he noticed another Me 262 approaching the airfield. Littge flew behind the Me 262 and fired at it, with strikes hitting the right engine of the aircraft. After engaging in brief evasive maneuvers, the Me 262 crashed, crediting Littge with his tenth and final aerial victory. On April 17, 1945, Littge led his flight in attacking a German aerodrome in
Plattling Plattling is a town in the district of Deggendorf, Bavaria, Germany, on the river Isar, 9 km southwest of Deggendorf, just before it enters the Danube. Attractions Romanesque Jewel – Church Saint Jakob Romanesque pillars basilica wit ...
. Of the fourteen aircraft destroyed in the attack by the flight, Littge was personally credited in destroying six aircraft in the attack, while carrying out seven strafing attacks against the aerodrome despite his aircraft sustaining severe damage from
anti-aircraft fire Anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) is the counter to aerial warfare and includes "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action".AAP-6 It encompasses surface-based, subsurface ( submarine-launched), and air-bas ...
. For his heroism in the mission, he was awarded Distinguished Service Cross – the second only to
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
. During World War II, Littge flew 91 combat missions and was credited with the destruction of 10.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 shared kill, and 13 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. While serving with the 352nd FG, he flew P-51C and P-51Ds bearing the names "Silver Dollar", "E Pluribus Unium" and "Miss Helen". He was also credited in destroying three
V-1 flying bomb The V-1 flying bomb ( "Vengeance Weapon 1") was an early cruise missile. Its official Reich Aviation Ministry () name was Fieseler Fi 103 and its suggestive name was (hellhound). It was also known to the Allies as the buzz bomb or doodlebug a ...
s over the
English Channel The English Channel, also known as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Southern England from northern France. It links to the southern part of the North Sea by the Strait of Dover at its northeastern end. It is the busi ...
, but they were not included in his overall aerial victory credits.


Post war

After the end of World War II, Littge returned to the United States in May 1945 and was assigned to
Wright Patterson Air Force Base Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) is a United States Air Force base and census-designated place just east of Dayton, Ohio, in Greene and Montgomery counties. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wr ...
in
Ohio Ohio ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...
, where he was part of the team evaluating captured German aircraft. During this time, he test flew a captured Me 262 and wrote an evaluation report for it. Littge left active duty on December 19, 1946, and joined the
United States Air Force Reserve The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, with its headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is the federal Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of commis ...
. He returned to active duty on March 17, 1947, for jet training and was assigned as an operations officer for the 83d Fighter Squadron at
Hamilton Air Force Base Hamilton may refer to: * Alexander Hamilton (1755/1757–1804), first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States * ''Hamilton'' (musical), a 2015 Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda ** ''Hamilton'' (al ...
in California. On May 20, 1949, Littge was flying an
F-84 Thunderjet The Republic F-84 Thunderjet is an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 first flew in 1946. Although it entered service in 1947, the Thunde ...
to an air meet at Coulee Dam in
Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...
, when his aircraft crashed near
Maupin, Oregon Maupin is a city in Wasco County, Oregon, United States. Located on the Deschutes River, much of the city's economy is related to the river through outdoor activities, such as fishing and rafting. The population was 418 at the 2010 census. His ...
, killing him. It is suspected that a faulty oxygen system of his aircraft was the cause of the crash. Littge was buried at the Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in
Altenburg, Missouri Altenburg is a city in Perry County, Missouri, Perry County, Missouri, United States. The population was 341 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. History Altenburg (German for "Old Castle") was laid out and platted in 1839 by a colony o ...
.


Personal life

Littge married to Helen Susan, née Fischer, in 1945. The couple had two sons: Raymond Littge II and George Preddy Littge. Following Littge's death in 1949, Helen Littge remarried to James R. Starnes, a P-51 Mustang World War II flying ace in the
339th Fighter Group The 339th Fighter Group was a unit of the United States Air Forces during World War II.Maurer, Maurer (1983). ''Air Force Combat Units Of World War II''. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. . It comprised the 503rd, 504th, and ...
and later a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Littge's son Raymond II became a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and flew combat missions during the
Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
. He was killed in a flying accident in 1979, while flying an
F-4 Phantom II The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber that was developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy.Swanborough and Bower ...
in air combat maneuvers at
Nellis Air Force Base Nellis Air Force Base ("Nellis" colloquialism, colloq.) is a United States Air Force military installation, installation in southern Nevada. Nellis hosts Aerial warfare, air combat exercises such as Exercise Red Flag and close air support exerc ...
in
Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a landlocked state in the Western United States. It borders Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the seventh-most extensive, th ...
.


Awards and honors

His awards include:


Distinguished Service Cross citation

:Littge, Raymond H. :Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces :487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force :Date of Action: April 17, 1945 :Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Raymond Henry Littge, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Plane of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, in action while leading a flight of P-51 aircraft in a strafing attack on an airdrome at Plattling, Germany, on April 17, 1945. Captain Littge and his flight destroyed fourteen airplanes, of which Captain Littge personally accounted for six. During this attack, Captain Littge's airplane sustained severe damage, including one and one-half feet shot off the left-wing tip, damage to the oil line causing a serious leak, and a gaping hole where the middle gun of the left wing was also shot out. However, he carried out seven additional strafing attacks against the airdrome. The determination, coolness, and courage displayed by Captain Littge on this occasion reflects highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.


Additional honors

A memorial marker honoring him is placed at the intersection of North Jackson Street and West St. Maries Street in
Perryville, Missouri Perryville is a city in Perry County, Missouri, United States. The population was 8,555 at the 2020 United States census. Perryville is the county seat of Perry County. History Perryville was selected the county seat of Perry County by Robert ...
. Littge's P-51D 44–72216, nicknamed "Miss Helen" was sold to the
Swedish Air Force The Swedish Air Force ( or just ) is the air force Military branch, branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. History The Swedish Air Force was created on 1 July 1926 when the aircraft units of the Army and Navy were merged. Because of the escalatin ...
, where it served at Swedish air bases in
Östersund Östersund (; ) is an Urban areas in Sweden, urban area (Stad (Sweden), city) in Jämtland in northern Sweden. It is the seat of Östersund Municipality and the capital of Jämtland County. Östersund is located at the shores of Sweden's fifth-larg ...
and
Uppsala Uppsala ( ; ; archaically spelled ''Upsala'') is the capital of Uppsala County and the List of urban areas in Sweden by population, fourth-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It had 177,074 inhabitants in 2019. Loc ...
. After five years of service in Sweden, the aircraft was sold to the
Israeli Defense Forces Israeli may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the State of Israel * Israelis, citizens or permanent residents of the State of Israel * Modern Hebrew, a language * ''Israeli'' (newspaper), published from 2006 to 2008 * Guni Israeli (b ...
in 1953. During its time in the
Israeli Air Force The Israeli Air Force (IAF; , commonly known as , ''Kheil HaAvir'', "Air Corps") operates as the aerial and space warfare branch of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Indep ...
, the aircraft was fitted with rocket rails and likely flew combat missions during the 1956 Sinai Campaign. After being retired from combat service, the aircraft remained in a children's playground at
kibbutz A kibbutz ( / , ; : kibbutzim / ) is an intentional community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. The first kibbutz, established in 1910, was Degania Alef, Degania. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economi ...
Ein Gedi Ein Gedi (, ), also spelled En Gedi, meaning "Spring (hydrology), spring of the goat, kid", is an oasis, an Archaeological site, archeological site and a nature reserve in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea, near Masada and the Qumran Caves. ...
, where it was bought by
Robert Lamplough Robert "Robs" Lamplough (born 4 June 1940 in Gloucester) is a British aviator and former racing driver from England. He participated in four Formula One non-Championship Grands Prix, but did not race in any World Championship events. He also com ...
, an English
warbird A warbird is any vintage military aircraft now operated by civilian organizations and individuals, or in some instances, by historic arms of military forces, such as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Royal Australian Air Force's No. 100 ...
collector. It was returned to England, where it was re-fitted with wings from P-51D 44–72770, and made airworthy. The aircraft was painted in the original 352nd Fighter Group colors and re-registered as G-BIXL. It is currently flown at air shows in the United Kingdom and is believed to be the only original 352nd FG P-51 that exists to this day. Littge's exploits during
Operation Bodenplatte Operation Bodenplatte (; "Baseplate"), launched on 1 January 1945, was an attempt by the German Luftwaffe to cripple Allies of World War II, Allied air forces in the Low Countries during the World War II, Second World War. The goal of ''Bodenpl ...
on January 1, 1945, was featured in the "Death of the Luftwaffe", which was the sixteenth episode of the second season of the
History Channel History (formerly and commonly known as the History Channel) is an American pay television television broadcaster, network and the flagship channel of A&E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst Communications and the Disney General Entertainme ...
series '' Dogfights'', which recreated historical air combat campaigns using modern computer graphics.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Littge, Raymond H. 1923 births 1949 deaths People from Perry County, Missouri United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II United States Army Air Forces officers United States Air Force officers American World War II flying aces Aviators from Missouri Military personnel from Missouri Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) Recipients of the Silver Star Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Recipients of the Air Medal Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in the United States Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1949 Accidental deaths in Oregon Shot-down aviators American test pilots