23th FG  -  16th FS  -  74th FS  -  74th FS var  -  75th FS  -  76th FS  -  118th TRS

Curtiss P-40K Warhawk 23FG76FS White 102 Harry Zavakos later Richard Perkins Canton 23rd Dec 1943

Photo description: Although P-40K Warhawk '102' was the fighter in which Lt. Richard Perkins crash landed in Canton, on December 23, 1943, the authors selected this aircraft in order to represent the fighter used by Zavakos in an official photo of the squadron’s pilots and their mounts. That day, the Warhawk had his name, as well as a kill marking (from the mission on March 4, 1944), applied under the canopy. It must be noted that the Greek American pilot achieved the kill while at the controls of a P-51A Mustang. During his tour of duty, he only flew eleven operational sorties in Warhawks. (Copyright Gaetan Marie)

Aircrew USAAF 23FG76FS Harry Zavakos 1943

Photo description: Lt. Zavakos sitting in the cockpit of a P-51B while testing the fighter radios. The P-51 was well-suited for dive-bombing bridges because it was easy to trim in a dive, whereas the P-40 had a tendency to roll. Lt. Harry Zavakos gained a reputation as the 76th’s premier bridge-buster and proved to be so adept in this role that whenever he flew a sortie his flight was given two targets, one for him and one for the three pilots flying with him. (Greeksinforeigncockpits via Renea Zavakos)

Photo description: Harry Zavakos was born on December 5, 1920, in Dayton Ohio. He was the son of George Zavakos and Konstantina (Dena) Fragia, a Greek couple who immigrated from Greece. His father came in the US during 1903 from a small village named Petrina, near Sparta in Laconia district, and became a successful businessman. Harry's brother, Frank, was also a pilot who flew with the American manned RAF, No. 71 'Eagle' Squadron. Unfortunately, he was killed in action over the North Sea during an ASR mission on June 6, 1942. Harry was also passioned for flying and before the outbreak of WW2 he had logged almost 100 hours in Piper Cubs airplanes. During his college years, he also attended the CPTP courses and he also joined the ROTC program of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF). His brother death motivated him to apply for service in USAAF and after his training, he was posted to China, specifically to the 76th Fighter Squadron of the 23rd Fighter Group. He flew P-40K Warhawks and P-51A Mustangs and completed almost 100 missions while credited with one kill. He crash-landed his P-40K Warhawk on December 24, 1943, after his fighter was damaged while dogfighting Japanese airplanes which attacked the B-25 formation, his squadron protected. He escaped unhurt and returned to his squadron 10 days later. On March 29, 1944, he engaged with Japanese fighters and while he was ready to achieve his second kill, one or more enemy 'Hamp' fighters, closed behind him and opened upon him. His plane took the worst beating of his career as he was hit in both wings, the vertical and horizontal stabilizer, fuselage, radio, and cockpit. Lt. Zavakos was only slightly scratched on his arm and leg by fragments. His comrades regret though that Zavakos radio was knocked out, for they certainly have enjoyed his verbal reactions to this affray, as he usually blasphemes and cursing, while in combat! During his service, he became proficient in dive bombing and soon gained the reputation as the 76th FS premier bridge buster. He proved to be so adept in this role that whenever he flew a sortie his flight was given two targets. One for him and another for the rest of the flight members! No wonder why his fellow pilots called him as 'HOT BOMB'. On June 6, 1944, he flew a unique mission concerning 'Greeks in Foreign Cockpits' along with the 75th Fighter Squadron Greek parentage pilot, James Vurgaropulos. The both flew a reconnaissance mission, deep inside the Japanese held territory, flying P-51Bs. The 23rd FG records referred to their joint mission by naming them as 'THE TERRIBLE GREEKS'. For his actions he was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and an Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster as well as the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster. After he was honorably discharged from the service he worked in the family bowling business. Unfortunately on March 7, 1977 he was murdered outside his bowling store, just like his father also murdered in the same place, 30 years ago! Both cases never closed.
Further details can be found on Volume B' of 'GREEKS IN FOREIGN COCKPITS'

Curtiss P-40N Warhawk 23FG75FS White 187 James Vurgaropulos 1943 0A

Photo description: According to fellow 23rd FG pilot Donald S. Lopez Junior’s book, 'Into the Teeth of the Tiger', 'Vurgie' was assigned Warhawk '187'. During the time Lopez served with the Greek American pilot, the 75th FS flew mostly P-40N models. In Vurgaropulos’ MACR 16397, it is recorded that he crashed while flying P-40N 42-104941. Without having a photo reference to support the profile, the authors and the artist decided to create a P-40N carrying '187' on its tail, assuming that both Lopez’s book and the MACR referred to the same fighter. It wears the standard Olive Drab camouflage and Medium Green on the tail section. In addition to that, based upon other similar Warhawks of the 75th FS, his name was applied under the canopy along with two kill markings, in the shape of Japanese flags, to portray an accurate profile of what was probably the reality. James had two kills, one shared probable, three damaged, and one kill on the ground to his credit. He was considered to be one of the most experienced flight (and occasionally squadron) leaders of his unit. Notice the longer front teeth of the shark’s mouth, a distinctive characteristic of 75th FS Warhawks. (Copyright Gaetan Marie)

Aircrew USAAF 23FG75FS James Vurgaropulos Orlando Florida 01

Photo description: James ready to climb in a Curtiss P-40K-10-CU (serial 42-9985) Warhawk for another operational training sortie while flying from Sarasota Airfield. This P-40K is one of the best known Warhawks. It served at the Army Air Force Tactical Centre, Orlando, Florida. It was probably the commander’s aircraft judging by the colourful rear fuselage and spinner bands. It carried a huge shark’s mouth, a far cry from those worn by the 'Flying Tigers' in China. Vurgaropulos took two pictures with it, but it is believed that this specific Warhawk was used to attract War Bonds from the civilian population. It is reported that many civilians also had their photos taken with this aircraft, during War Bonds campaign, in varius airfields (Greeksinforeigncockpits via Vurgaropulos Family)

Photo description: James (Dimitrios) Vurgaropulos was the second Hellenic parentage pilot who fought in CBI (China - Burma - India) Theater of operations with the 23rd Fighter Group, along with Harry Zavakos, although he flew with the 75th FIghter Squadron instead of the 76th. He was born on February 26, 1919 in Lowell Massachusetts. His father was Konstantine Vurgaropulos, who’s heritage was from Kalambaka, Thessaly, in Trikala District who immigrated in the United States during 1905 while he was 19 years old. His mother was also Hellene, her name was Magdalene Bacos. After James completed his high school education he entered the local college named as Lowell Textile School (known today as the Lowell Technological Institute) and upon graduation he completed his studies in the Greek parochial School. From his early age he builded flying models along with his brother (also destined to be a USAAF Bombardier / Navigator) showing their tendency to aviation. He applied for aviation cadet in August 12, 1941, however he began his training in June 2, 1942. After completing his basic and advanced training he continued his operational training in the 337th Fighter Training Group in Sarasota Army Air Field, in Florida. Upon his successful completion he was posted in CBI and the 23rd Fighter Group, arriving in Kunming in November 1, 1943. He was transferred to the 76th Fighter Squadron and flew his first mission two days later, escorting B-24s in Hong Kong. James was an aggressive fighter pilot who later became an experienced flight leader who occasionally led the whole squadron in some of his missions. His best day in combat was on June 25, 1944, four days before his death, when he manage to destroy 1 enemy fighter, 1/2 probable as well as damaging another one. James flew mostly P-40N Warhawks and he was one of the 75th Fighter Squadron pilots who trained first in P-51B Mustangs in India, before his squadron re-equiped with the North American fighter. His most memorable Mustang mission was the joint reconaisance mission deep in the enemy territory on June 1, 1944, having as cover his fellow Greek American pilot, Harry Zavakos. The 23rd Fighter Group refered to them after this succesful mission as 'THE TERRIBLE GREEKS'. He completed more than 50 missions over CBI and he totally claimed 2 kills, 1 probable, 2 damaged and 1 more kill on the ground before he was killed in action. On June 29, 1944 he led a 75th Fighter Squadron Flight in an offensive sweep in Changsha Area. During a strafing run on enemy positions he was probably hit by anti aircraft fire and crashed in a building. For his actions Vurgaropulos awarded with Distinguished Flying Cross - DFC, the Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart, all except the Air Medal, posthumously. Unfortunately he tragedy didn’t end for the family because his brother John also killed in action on February 24, 1945 when his B-26 Marauder crashed during a bombing mission. The Lowell city, in order to honor the memory of the two Greek heritage brothers named the local bridge as Vurgaropulos Memorial Bridge.
Further details can be found on Volume B' of 'GREEKS IN FOREIGN COCKPITS'