Major Donald C. McGee
P-39, "Nips Nemesis"
Artwork and Research By;
Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Print size 12x18"
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Donald McGee and his P-39 "Nip Nemesis"
Major
Donald C. McGee
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Donald
Charles McGee was born on July 15, 1920 in Brooklyn New York. Becoming an aviator was Donald’s sole ambition after reading books of
the World War I aces and a book on flying by Assen Jordanoff. After
graduating from high school, Donald enlisted into the Army infantry on July 1,
1939 and later applied for the Air Corps Flying Cadet program. After being
accepted, Donald began his flight training on April 30th 1941 in the
Flying Cadet Program at Albany, Georgia and graduated on December 12, 1941 with
his pilot’s wings and 2nd Lieutenants bars.
Donald was assigned to the 49th Fighter Group at Morrison Field, Florida, were he and his group were to receive their fighter training. The Japanese had just attacked Pearl Harbor and there were no aircraft available for their advanced training. On January 6, 1942, Don and the 49th found themselves heading to California where they boarded the SS Mariposa bound for Australia. Mind you they missed advanced aircraft training in aircraft with the horsepower they would be flying with in combat. This also meant that they did not have any time for fighter aerobatic tactics, nor did they ever get to fire their guns. Ever! Before they were shipped off to combat the group never practiced firing their guns or trained to use their gun sights.
After arriving in Melbourne Australia, the 9th was sent to the RAAF Station Willamtown, New South Wells where the group waited for their aircraft to arrive. It was here that some experienced P-40 pilots who had just arrived from the Philippines and Java joined the group. They listened to the stories of the veterans and contemplated their fate and how soon they would see combat. The new pilots asked question of the veteran pilots. One by one they were answered. Donald told me they clung to every word from the experienced pilots. One of the tricks to try was to zigzag when an enemy fighter is zeroing in on your fighter from behind. Simple as it sounds, if you don't know it, you can die before care pick up on it. Even slowing down a little while doing this can cause the enemy to over shoot you and you could end up on the tail of the enemy!
After
some brief training, Donald and others from the group were assigned to the 8th
Group’s 36th Squadron at Lowood Station and began training in the P-39D.
Donald told me that is was in deed a shock to fly a full fledged fighter from
scratch learning as they went only obtaining enough efficiency to classified as
ready for combat. They
were then ordered to Port Moresby, New Guinea.
On
their first morning at Port Moresby, Donald participated in flying field cover
patrol. His wingman was not able to take off so Donald flew with two other
pilots. After two hours they turned toward their runway to be relieved by
another flight. The first plane to land experienced fog and landed hard
obstructing the runway for the others.
Pulling
up, Donald climbed not wanting to be caught low should the enemy attack.
At 3,500 feet, the airfield radioed him that they were under attack.
With less than 20 gallons of gas, Donald banked around and saw a Zero
attacking the airfield and pointed the nose of the P-39 down towards the Zero
pulling onto the enemies tail. This was done by shear instinct because they had
still very little time in tactic training.
It
was now Donald told me that he looked seriously at the gun site on the dash in
front of him but did not even know how use it. Donald said he lined up the nose
of his fighter with the tail of the Zero. Donald
fired and his tracers went to
the right of the Japanese aircraft. With
both aircraft turning and banking at low level, Donald fired again with his
tracers going under the Zero. Adjusting
his fire with the sights he centered the Zero and fired again.
The Zero shook, winged over heading down into the jungle. Their altitude was just above the tops of the trees so Donald's P-39 swept over the Zero instantly. Donald saw the explosion of the Zero over his shoulder. Suddenly tennis ball size tracers flashed by his cockpit. Donald looked around to see three Zero’s on his tail. The training he received saved him as he skirted back and forth avoiding the deadly fire form the enemy.
They
were after Donald for shooting down their fellow pilot no doubt. They
would not give up. Donald while flying his zigzag course took himself and the
pursuing Zero's out over the ocean. The chase drug on Donald said but he was
glad that he was still alive. Finally
one by one the Zero’s turned away exhausting their ammunition. Donald
headed back to base and landed. As Donald
taxied in he ran out of gas. He
held up his thumb signaling his kill to the others. The aerial victory was
confirmed from many who witnessed the kill from the airbase.
Twice
20mm shells had hit his rudder, five 7.7mm holes were in the right wing root and
one bullet entered the top of his canopy and had shot his goggles off his head!
Donald McGee had claimed the first victory for the 36th Fighter Squadron. Donald claimed two more confirmed enemy planes flying the P-39, and two
more victories flying the P-38 to become an ace. He had a few more victories
with the P-39 but the aircraft he hit was lost in the melee and no one witnessed
the specific shoot down to each fighter in combat. Donald said he watched an
enemy aircraft he damaged fly off towards the horizon back towards its base.
Considering it was on fire could determine the possibilities of its timely
arrival. Ha! Ha! However, no one saw it go down! And Donald understood this, but
he also knows what really happened.
Donald
was later assigned to the European Theatre where he claimed his last victory
over a Bf-109 flying a P-51. With six
victories to his credit, Donald earned the Silver Star with one Oak Leaf
Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Air Medal
with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with one Silver Star.
In the right hands, this aircraft was lethal!
This is a great photo of Donald's Nips Nemesis among the palm trees.
All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.
No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.
Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.
I do not mind sharing, just call or e-mail and ask for permission.
Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette
1-904-406-5791
e-mail: aviationartstore@peoplepc.com
Posted 2-10-07