| Captain James R. Starnes flew the P-51D Mustang 6N-X (44-14387) (specifications), which
he named 'Tar Heel', when he was assigned to the 505th Fighter Squadron, 339th Fighter Group, 8th USAAF
in Europe. He is an Ace with 6 air-to-air victories, 6.5 air-to-ground victories, and 6 damaged. He flew
two combat tours with the 339th Fighter Group. He later flew 143 combat missions during the Vietnam War,
and retired in 1974 from the United States Air Force as a Colonel with 32 years of service. He was awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf cluster, the Air Medal with 22 Oak Leaf clusters, Air Force
Commendation Medal, Bronze Star, and French Croix de Guerre. Colonel James Starnes signed each Tar Heel
print in January 2007. |
| Each Tar Heel print is also signed by Staff Sergeant Gabe Cutri, who was the crew chief on all four 'Tar Heel' P-51 Mustangs flown by James Starnes. Mr. Curti received the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, and European Theatre Medal. Mr. Cutri signed each print in January 2007. The 339th Fighter Group was stationed at Folwmere, England, and consisted of the 503rd, 504th, and 505th Fighter Squadrons. The 339th Fighter Group flew 264 missions and destroyed 239.5 enemy aircraft in the air, and 440.5 on the ground. |
