Claiborne H. Kinnard Jr.

Claiborne Holmes Kinnard Jr. (October 29, 1912 – September 18, 1966) was a United States Army Air Force fighter ace who was credited with shooting down eight aircraft and destroying another seventeen on the ground during World War II. He was the highly decorated flying ace of the 355th Fighter Group.

Early life and education
Kinnard was born on October 29, 1912, in Franklin, Tennessee. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering.

Military Career
Kinnard joined the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in 1938 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1939 at Randolph Field, Texas.

Kinnard served as an instructor pilot at Randolph Field until September 1940. He then served as director of flying at Barksdale Field, Louisiana, from September 1940 to May 1941, at Craig Field, Alabama, from May 1941 to February 1942, at Spence Field, Georgia, from February to May 1942, and at Maxwell Field, Alabama, from May 1942 to May 1943.

World War II
Kinnard became commander of the 360th Fighter Squadron of the 356th Fighter Group at Manchester, New Hampshire in May 1943 and went with the group to England.

He was commander of the 354th Fighter Squadron of the 355th Fighter Group at RAF Steeple Morden from November 1943 to June 1944. Between March 29th, Kinnard shot down an Fw-190 near Brunswick, Germany. He destroyed 4 more on the ground while leading the 354th FS on a strafing mission, destroying a total of 44 German aircraft.

On the April 5th the 355th FG set a record, that was to stand until September with Kinnard becoming the first Eighth Air Force pilot to score his fifth total air and ground kill in one day. The 355th FG received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the mission. Kinnard served with Headquarters 355th Fighter Group from July to September 1944.

Kinnard continued his leadership as one of the top tacticians in the Eighth Air Force for strafing attacks on Luftwaffe airfields. Largely due to his tactics, the 354th FS would emerge as the top squadron for enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. He became the 355th FG’s seventh flying ace on July 7, 1944, when he shot down three German fighters including 2 Me-410’s and an Bf-109 while receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for breaking up a major attack on B-24 Liberators near Merseburg, Germany. Kinnard scored his last two air victories near Prague, Czechoslovakia when he shot down two Bf-109’s.

Kinnard was with the 4th Fighter Group from September to December 1944 and commander from November to December before returning to the 355th Fighter Group and serving as its commander from February to May 1945.

Kinnard was credited with destroying 8 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 damaged, and he destroyed 17 more on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. He flew an aircraft bearing the legend "Man 'O War". There were several planes with this title in the 355th Fighter Group and 4th Fighter Group at that time. All of Kinnard's fighters – a P-47D, two P-51Bs and five P-51Ds – bore this name.

Later life
Kinnard left active duty on December 26, 1945, and served in the Air Force Reserve until transferring to the Tennessee Air National Guard in 1953, where he served as its group commanding officer. He built a successful business supplying patented prestressed concrete beams.

Kinnard died on September 18, 1966, due to brain tumor. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Franklin, Tennessee.

Awards and decorations
His awards and decorations include:

Distinguished Service Cross citation

 * Kinnard, Claiborne Holmes
 * Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces
 * Headquarters, 355th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force
 * Date of Action: July 07, 1944


 * Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Claiborne Holmes Kinnard, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane assigned to Headquarters, 355th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 7 July 1944, while leading his Group in the escort of heavy bombers at Halle, Germany. Circling the target area, Colonel Kinnard observed 20 enemy airplanes attacking the bomber formation. Approaching to intercept them Colonel Kinnard discovered he had become separated from his Group and was leading a flight of only three airplanes. Despite the odds against him he immediately attacked, destroying one enemy fighter and dispersing the entire formation. In the encounter Colonel Kinnard's wing man was lost, and, at this moment, 30 enemy airplanes which had been acting as top cover launched their attack. Colonel Kinnard, in his firm resolve to protect the bomber formation, launched a fearless and daring attack on the enemy, notwithstanding their numerical superiority. So skillful and vicious was his attack that he was able to destroy two more of the enemy and protect his wing man while the latter destroyed another. The outstanding heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kinnard on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States..