Here is some info I found on the pilot:
http://acepilots.com/usaaf_pto_aces.html#ShubinMurray "Jim" Shubin
Jim Shubin was born and raised in the town of Dormont, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Shubin enlisted in the U.S. Army Aviation Cadet Program in the spring of 1941, and was sent to Guadalcanal a few months after being commissioned. His first few months on Guadalcanal was mostly regulated to strafing and bombing missions to provide support for the ground forces. He also took part in numerous missions escorting B-17's of the 11th Bombardment Group sent to strike Japanese shipping in Tondlei harbor on the island of Bougainville.
Japanese resistance on Guadalcanal ended in early February. The Lightnings of the 347th Fighter Group were now free to accompany the heavy bombers of the Thirteenth Air Force deep into enemy territory. Primary targets included enemy shipping in the harbors of Bougainville, the Shortland Islands, and New Georgia. On June 16, 1943, the Japanese Imperial Air Force mounted their largest raid against Guadalcanal. This strike included two formations, the first containing thirty-eight aircraft, and the second containing eighty. First contact was made by twelve P-38's of the 339th Fighter Squadron, with Shubin leading one of the flights of four P-38's. This was the beginning of a very big day for Shubin.
Lieutenant Shubin signaled his flight to attack the rearmost group which contained fifteen Zeros, which were escorting a group of Val dive bombers. Diving towards their targets, the P-38's tore through the formation. Many Japanese aircraft were destroyed, and Shubin confirmed two of those as his. After prolonged dueling, many of the P-38's had been damaged or were out of ammunition and had to return to base. Finally Shubin found himself alone in the sky with five Zeros, and Shubin would spend the next forty minutes engaged in constant air-to-air combat.
Lieutenant Shubin finally maneuvered behind the rear of a Zero and, with a short burst, it turned over and proceeded to dive towards the ground. Shubin listed it as probable number one. Shubin headed into a spiraling dive and fired a deflection shot at another Zero. The Zero started to climb, but apparent engine damage kept it from doing so, and finally started a steep vertical dive. This was probably number two. Shubin went into another spiral dive to get away from the enemy fighters, and after a climbing turn, he maneuvered himself one-thousand feet above the Zeros. Heading into another dive, Shubin was able to hit a Zero with a head-on, and sent it smoking downward, and was probable number three. Separating from the enemy aircraft, Shubin was able to gather his thoughts and plan his next strategy. Shubin spotted the other two Zeros orbiting, and headed for them. After a maximum range shot. one of the Zeros dove and started to run for home, which left only one Zero remaining. The Zero made a frontal approach, and Shubin was able to register some hits in the engine, but did no major damage. The Zero leveled off and Shubin maneuvered in behind it and registered more hits in the fuselage. The Zero dove, and Shubin dove with it, but was not able to see if it crashed. This was probable number four.
The sky was now empty of enemy fighters, and Shubin headed for home. Fortunately for Shubin, an infantry captain witnessed the entire fight from the ground and confirmed that three of the four probable kills did crash. That made five enemy aircraft shot down in one day for Lieutenant Shubin. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his "coolness under fire, superior flying ability, and marksmanship." Shubin eventually downed twelve (eleven?) Japanese aircraft, which was second to Captain Bob Westbrook for the Thirteenth Air Force. Shubin was sent back home for a long rest, and never returned to combat. He spent the rest of the war on assignments in the United States. He was promoted to Captain and received the Silver Star and another cluster for his Distinguished Flying Cross.
Some Pics of his aircraft:
Hope this helps as well.
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Topic: Specific Aircraft References (Read 755 times)
