Thomas G. Lanphier
| Thomas George Lanphier, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 27, 1915 Panama City, Panama |
| Died | November 26, 1987 (aged 71) La Jolla, California |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Known for | Mission to shoot down the plane of Admiral Yamamoto |
| Spouse(s) | Phyllis Lanphier |
| Children | Patricia Lanphier Mix; Judith Lanphier Strada; Janet Lanphier; Kathleen Lanphier; and Phyllis Lanphier |
| Parent(s) | Thomas George Lanphier, Sr., Janet Cobb-Lanphier |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Commands held | 72nd Fighter Wing |
| Battles/wars | |
Thomas George Lanphier, Jr. (November 27, 1915 – November 26, 1987) was a colonel and fighter pilot during World War II who was first given sole credit, then later partial credit, for shooting down the plane carrying Admiral Yamamoto, the commander in chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
He was born on November 27, 1915 in Panama City, Panama to Thomas George Lanphier, Sr. He married Phyllis of Boise, Idaho and had the following children: Patricia Lanphier Mix; Judith Lanphier Strada; Janet Lanphier; Kathleen Lanphier; and Phyllis Lanphier. He studied journalism at Stanford University and graduated in January 1941.
He completed his pilot training at on October 30, 1941, and was assigned to the 70th Pursuit Squadron, 35th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field in Novato, California.
Until December 1942 he served in Fiji then his squadron was moved to Guadalcanal and he joined the 347th Fighter Group. He scored his first aerial victory on Christmas Eve in 1942 when he shot down an A6M Zero. Lanphier was promoted to captain in March 1943. The next month he destroyed three A6M Zeros over Cape Esperance on April 7, 1943. By the end of his tour, he flew 97 combat missions out of Guadalcanal in P-39s and P-38s.
Following World War II, he was one of the founding members of the Idaho Air National Guard, eventually retiring as a Colonel.
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