John Clarence "Bucky" Egan (September 8, 1915 – April 16, 1961) was an American pilot who served with the 100th Bomb Group of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and later with the United States Air Force in the Korean War.[1][2][3]
John C. Egan | |
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| Nickname(s) | Bucky |
| Born | September 8, 1915 Manitowoc, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | April 16, 1961 (aged 45) McLean, Virginia, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | |
| Years of service | 1940–1961 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Service number | O-399510 |
| Unit | 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy) |
| Commands held | 47th Reconnaissance Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Legion of Merit Purple Heart Air Medal (4) |
| Spouse(s) |
Josephine Pitz (m. 1946) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and military career edit
Born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Egan attended school there and later went on to St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota.[4]
After the outbreak of World War II, Egan enlisted in the Air Corps in 1940, receiving flight training at Randolph and Kelly Fields, Texas. After serving as an instructor at Randolph Field, he was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group for overseas service in 1942. Initially a group operations officer, he rose to the rank of major and took command of the group's 418th Bomb Squadron in June 1943.[4]
On October 10, 1943, Egan's plane was shot down during a raid on Münster, Germany. He survived and was captured and held as a prisoner of war until May 1945.[4]
In June 1946, he was promoted to the permanent rank of lieutenant colonel.[4]
At the beginning of the Korean War, Egan was in command of the 47th Reconnaissance Group and was promoted to colonel in 1951. He flew several air support missions against Chinese and North Korean ground forces in an A-26 Invader.[4]
After the war, he served as deputy chief of staff for operations of the Fifth Air Force in Japan before being appointed director of operations for the Pacific Air Force in Hawaii in 1956. In 1958, he was assigned to The Pentagon in Washington, D.C..[4]
Personal life edit
During flight school he gave the nickname Buck to fellow airman and best friend Gale "Buck" Cleven, as Cleven reminded him of a Wisconsin friend named Buck.[5]
In 1945, Egan was engaged to the former Josephine Pitz, also of Manitowoc, and they married on December 26, 1946. Pitz was the first female pilot to be licensed in Manitowoc in 1930 and served for twenty-one months as a Women Airforce Service Pilot during World War II.[6]
John C. Egan died on April 16, 1961, while on active duty after suffering a heart attack at his home in McLean, Virginia. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two sisters, and his mother; his father predeceased him.[4] In 1962, he was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit.[7]
In popular culture edit
Egan is portrayed by British actor Callum Turner in Apple TV+'s miniseries Masters of the Air.[1]
Awards and honors edit
His awards include:
 USAF Command pilot badge
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Legion of Merit |
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Distinguished Flying Cross |
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Purple Heart |
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Air Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Army Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf cluster |
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Prisoner of War Medal |
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American Defense Service Medal |
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American Campaign Medal with bronze service star |
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European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars |
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World War II Victory Medal |
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National Defense Service Medal |
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Korean Service Medal with bronze campaign star |
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Air Force Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters |
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United Nations Service Medal for Korea |
References edit
- ^ a b Jonny Wilkes (January 26, 2024). "The real John Egan: who was Bucky in Masters of the Air?". History Extra. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Major tells story of first shuttle raid on Germany". The Pasadena Post. United Press. 24 August 1943. p. 2. Retrieved 28 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Col. Egan, USAF, dies; Served in two wars". Evening Star. 18 April 1961. p. 26. Retrieved 28 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Heart attack claims life of Col. J. C. Egan". Manitowoc Herald-Times. 17 April 1961. p. 2. Retrieved 28 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Solly, Meilan (23 January 2024). "The Real History Behind 'Masters of the Air' and the 100th Bomb Group". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Josephine (Dodi) Pitz Egan". Manitowoc Hearld-Times. April 25, 2006. p. 3. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Deceased air ace awarded Legion of Merit". Manitowoc Herald-Times. 5 December 1962. p. 4. Retrieved 28 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
External links edit
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