Nicholas Megura
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Nicholas Megura | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname | "Cowboy" |
| Born | July 28, 1920 |
| Died | November 4, 1988 (aged 68) |
| Allegiance | Canada United States |
| Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross (6) Air Medal (4) Purple Heart |
Nicholas Megura (July 28, 1920 – November 4, 1988) was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force. He served in the United States Army Air Forces as a fighter pilot during World War II, and he became an ace with 11.83 aerial victories before he himself was nearly shot down. Megura was able to crash-land his aircraft in neutral Sweden, but was not allowed to fly any more combat missions during the war due to the nature of his release from Sweden.
Nicholas Megura was born on July 28, 1920, in Ansonia, Connecticut. While he was attending his first year at college, Megura was expelled due to his rebellious nature. He later got a job at a Vought-Sikorsky, where he took flying lessons. Before the United States entered World War II, Megura joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a flight instructor.[1][2][3]
World War II
In July 1943, Megura transferred to the United States Army Air Forces. He was assigned to the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Eight Air Force, based in RAF Debden. When Megura was attached to the squadron, they flew P-47 Thunderbolts, however they switched over to P-51 Mustangs after a few months.[2][4]
On March 6, 1944, First Lieutenant Megura shot down one German Messerschmitt Bf 110 and damaged a second one. Two days later, while on a B-17 bomber escort mission, five Messerschmitt Bf 109s attacked the group. Megura was able to quickly down one, and then engaged another Bf 109 which was attacking a B-17. Forcing the pilot of the Bf 109 to bail out, Megura claimed his fifth victory of the war along with ace status. Megura then damaged a third Bf 109 as it was landing at an airfield. While he was returning to Debden, Megura engaged a Junkers Ju 88 with his last operating gun, knocking out one engine before he completely ran out of ammunition.[5] For his actions during this three day period, Megura was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in April.[1][2]
Internment in Sweden
On May 23, 1944, Captain Megura's group and several P-38s from another group engaged over 30 German fighters. While Megura was engaging three Bf 109s, his own aircraft was severely damaged by friendly fire from a P-38. The pilot of the P-38 had mistaken Megura's plane for an Bf 109.[1][2][3]
Megura's coolant system was damaged, and he decided to bail out of his plane. However, he could not get his canopy open. Megura then nursed his plane toward Denmark, and he decided he would keep gliding toward neutral Sweden. Megura miraculously reached Sweden without crashing, and made a belly landing at the Kalmar Aerodrome.[1][2][3]
Upon landing, Megura was interned by the Swedish military and was held until June 28. Megura chewed out his engineering officer for his faulty canopy when he returned to Debden.[3] Due to diplomatic relations in securing his release from Sweden, Megura was no longer allowed to fly combat missions during the war and he was given an administrative job. Megura finished the war with a total of 11.83 aerial victories, plus an additional four on the ground.[1][2]
