Charles H. MacDonald
| Charles Henry "Mac" MacDonald | |
|---|---|
Col. MacDonald and Al Nelson next to "Putt Putt Maru"
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Mac" |
| Born |
November 23, 1914 Dubois, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 3, 2002 (aged 87) |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
United States Army Air Corps United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1938–1961 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Unit | 55th Pursuit Group 18th Pursuit Group 326th Fighter Group 348th Fighter Group 340th Pursuit Squadron 475th Fighter Group 33rd Fighter Group 23rd Fighter Wing |
| Commands held | 340th Pursuit Squadron 475th Fighter Group 33rd Fighter Group 23rd Fighter Wing |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross (w/ Oak Leaf Cluster) Silver Star (w/ OLC) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (w/ 5 OLCs) Air Medal (w/ 10 OLCs) Air Force Commendation Medal American Defense Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal |
Colonel Charles Henry "Mac" MacDonald, USAF, (November 23, 1914 – March 3, 2002) was an American fighter ace. MacDonald commanded the 475th Fighter Group for 20 months in his P-38 Lightning, "Putt Putt Maru" with the unit number "100" and becoming the third ranking fighter ace in the Pacific during World War II.
MacDonald was born in Dubois, Pennsylvania on November 23, 1914. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps pilot training program after graduating from Louisiana State University in 1938. He received his flight wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at Kelly Field, Texas on May 25, 1939. His first assignment was to the 55th Pursuit Group, he later transferred to the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Field, Hawaii on February 9, 1941 and was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
MacDonald then served in the United States with the 326th Fighter Group before transferring to the 348th Fighter Group to command the 340th Pursuit Squadron at Westover Field, Maine. On October 1, 1943, then a major, joined the 475th Fighter Group at Dobodura, New Guinea as the group executive officer. He scored his first four victories that month and became an ace on November 9, 1943 when he downed two Zekes near Alexishafen Airdrome. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel the following day on November 10, 1943 and became the group commander. He finished the war with 27 confirmed victories, making him the third highest ranking U.S. Army fighter pilot of the Pacific Theater.
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