George T. Chandler Featured In Brooks Aviation Art Collection

Barbara Ann's Busy Day
by Roy Grinnell

November 8. 1943, 1/Lt. George Chandler, from Pratt Kansas, 339FS, 347FG, has safely returned to his base at Munda, New Georgia Island. This day saw the U.S. invasion of Bougainville at Empress Augusta Bay. Flying a P-38-H, George has shot down in a single pass, his second and third victories, both are Mitsubishi Zero 52’s flying from Rabaul and attempting to dive bomb the invasion fleet.
Signed by Maj. George T. Chandler - Capt. Norman J. “Dusty” Kleiss - CDR Don W. McMillan
Maj. William B. Berry - Col. Bernard F. Fisher - Elmer Smith.

The signatories

P-38 Ace - George Chandler flew the legendary Lockheed P-38 fighter in the Southwest Pacific, becoming an Ace. Chandler’s most memorable mission occurred as he was above Bougainville leading the second flight of four Lightnings. He could hear the fighter controller vectoring other aircraft to intercept a big Japanese raid of almost 150 aircraft. The Lightnings flying high cover over the fleet, dived to engage the Japanese fighters. Chandler saw two Zero fighters diving on a transport that was just off-loading troops. The P-38 quickly overtook the Japanese fighters and shot them both down. Among his decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters... read more about it here.