Jack G Porter joined the Army in the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet from Colorado, he was living at 634 Ouray Avenue, Grand Junction, COLO. on 18 Dec. 1941. Jack had completed 2 years of College and was employed as a Business Secretary. Jack was single at enlistment. ( 18047182 ) Lt Porter was an Original Pilot in the [now famous] Gen Bob Knapp's Flight over the Atlantic, the 1st to cross the Atlantic the Southern Route in a single mass without loss. Lt Porter flew the B-25 #41-13192 with Lt Eugene Browning, (as Co-Pilot) Lt Joseph R Merek (as Bombardier) Sgt. Logan Lytle (as Engineer, although he is listed as Gunner) Louis Rubidoux (in Radio position but he was 446th Communications) John Halko (Gunner) and Jack Flothe (Armament, flew as Passenger) Leaving Morrison Field, Fla. 12 Feb. 1943 for the Southern Route down to Brazil and over to the Ascention Island and up to Africa.

Jack's 1st Combat Mission was 20 March, 1943 to Djebel Tebaga in Ship #41-13192. His 2nd Combat Mission was 12 April, a Sea Sweep. Next is 22 April to Mateur again in the #41-13192. 23 April to Mateur Marshalling Yards. He flew regularly with Lt Eugene Stocking.

12 Nov. 2010, Hi there, (Miles to 321st Historical Researcher, John T Fitzgerald)

This is a pic of a shadow-box put together for my Dad, Colonel Jack G. Porter, 12th Air Force, 321 BG. Shows the emblem on his hat, rank insignias, one of his DFCs, various service medals, wings, etc. I am not sure how many combat missions he flew. I know he later became General Ira C. Eaker's personal pilot. The General mentions this in his biography. When he got out of the USAF, he was taken down to a Lt. Colonel as the jump from Captain to Major had been a field promotion from General Eaker to become part of the General Staff. Daddy never talked too much about flying combat missions, so any other info you could give me about his career in the Air Force would be helpful and much appreciated. Jack G.Porter - 23 July 1917 - 26 December 2007 Best Regards, Miles M. Porter

Barbi Ennis Connolly, 321st Bomb Group Historian PRINCESSBARBIB25@msn.com_