David T. Zimms

David T. Zimms (6 July 1921 in Brooklyn - 1/30 October 1966) was a American Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. USAAF officer, Lieutenant David Zimms is assigned to the 328th Fighter Squadron / 352nd Fighter Group in September 1943. He left the unit 11 months later at the end of his tour of duty. During his stay in the unit, he won two confirmed victories in air combat including 1 collaboration. On July 21, the 328th Fighter Squadron is responsible for escorting bombers of the 3rd Air Division in Regensburg. The 3 Squadrons of the Group are engaged. As he arrives at the rendezvous point necks, the 487th is quickly faced with ten Me 109 which 3 are slaughtered (Cpt Wally Stark, Lt Malcolm Pickering and third shared Maj Preddy and Lt Sandy Moats). Meanwhile, the other two Squadrons accompany bombers and note the good results of the attack. While the 328th take the way back, he finds himself caught in bad weather with a strong headwind that significantly increases fuel consumption. Before he reached the shores of the North Sea, tanks atteingnent the critical level, forcing the entire Squadron looking for a backup solution. The first three to fail are young drivers arrived in June (Lr Richard Casper, Lt Robert Lampman and Lt James Lanter). The three men facing the sea with their devices. The next two are Lt. David Zimms and Lt Elmer Dubay who skydive few minutes later, they too at sea. The two men will quickly rescued by a minesweeper. Two other drivers will make forced landings along the British coast. Will be the heaviest losses in the 328th even if no driver is seriously injured. Aircraft assigned: P-51B-10 (42-106694) "Sticky" EP C

Awards

 * Pilot Badge
 * Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 oak leaf clusters
 * Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
 * Presidential Unit Citation
 * American Campaign Medal
 * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Service stars
 * World War II Victory Medal