二战飞虎队飞行员的阵亡通知书
来源：滇缅抗战史专家 戈叔亚   2016-07-19 17:28:38

阵亡通知书

前言
 

这是多年以前一位为了寻找在中国牺牲的美国飞虎队飞行员的家人的资料。 戈叔亚

这是云南边远山区老百姓家保留的二战美国飞行员的“狗牌”（身份牌）和一个铁匣子，这个铁匣子也不知道是什么?也许是胶卷，也许是“黑匣子”，反正不知道。

这是战时国民政府印发的传单，号召老百姓救护美国飞行员。
 

这是在云南永平杉阳因为飞机坠落而跳伞被老百姓救护的美国飞行员和他的太太。

１２５图片：阵亡通知书

加州，旧金山

国会大厦路９７９号 格特鲁德·Ｌ·瑞根（Gertrude L.Rickon）夫人

亲爱的瑞根夫人 　　

         我非常遗憾地通知您，您的儿子——威廉·Ｅ·瑞根中尉，于１９４５年４月２５日在一次战斗中阵亡。我确信您已经得到了华盛顿国防部的通知。 　　

         瑞根中尉是参与一次重要的战斗任务的飞机驾驶员。在战斗中，他的飞机遭到了敌人地面炮火的攻击而负伤，坠落在中国山西省的Szeshui（？？）县以南三英里的某地。在飞机负伤时，他用无线电通知了同伴。不知道什么原因，他没有及时跳伞，飞机撞到了地面上。所有迹象显示，他是在瞬间死亡的，没有痛苦。他的尸体无法寻找，因为这是敌占区。 　
  　  威廉·Ｅ·瑞根中尉的牺牲使得许多他的朋友和战友，无论是军官还是士兵都感到难过。对于交给他的任何任务，他都是一个忠诚的、尽责的军官。由于他在空战中的超人表现，他获得了空军勋章，以及最近被推荐获得高级飞行十字勋章。这些在官方承认后送给您。他壮丽的人生经历赢得了全体人员的尊敬，他的高贵品质将在我们心中永存。 　　
        我希望尽快将官兵和作为司令官的我的同情心表达给你和他的其他家庭成员。

忠诚的， Ｃ·Ｌ·陈纳德（签字）
美国陆军空军第１４航空队少将司令官 第１４航空队司令部
纽约邮局代理编码A.P.O 627 １９４５年５月１１日

（上述信件原文） HEANDQUARTERS FORRTEENTH AIR FORCE A.P.O 627/C/O Postmaster New York City, New York

May 11, 1945 My dear Mrs. Rickon,

It is with deep regret that I must inform you that your son, First Lieutenant William E. Rickon, was killed in action April 25, 1945. no doubt you have already been notified by the War Department.

Lieutenant Rickon was Pilot of an airplane which was engaged in an important combat mission. His airplane was disabled as a result of enemy ground fire three miles south of Szeshui, Shansi Province, China. He radioed to other members of the flight that he was going to bail out but for some unknown reason did not do so until he was at a very low altitude and was killed by the impact of the landing. From all the available evidence, there can be no doubt that his death was instantaneous and without pain. His body could not be recovered from enemy territory.

Lieutenant Rickon’s loss is keenly felt by his mang friends and comrades among both officers and men. He was a loyal and conscientious officer, able at his appointed task and devoted to his duty. In recognition of his achievements in aerial flight he was awarded the Air Medal and was recently recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross which will probably be presented to you after its official approval. His splendid personal traits made him a universal favorite. We  will always remember him with pride and affection.

I wish to take this means of expressing to you and other members of the family the sympathy of the officers and men of my commend.

Sincerely yours,

(Signed) C.L.CHENNAULT Major General, U.S.A. Commanding

Mrs. Gertrude L. Rickon, 979 Capitol Avenue, San Francisco, California.

（以下两封信也可以不用） Gertrude Rickon夫人 ９７９Capital Avenue 旧金山，加州

尊敬的瑞根夫人： 我知道无论说什么都无法减轻儿子的牺牲对您的打击，但是我希望您知道我们全体飞行中队将分担您的痛苦。 威廉是我们中队的飞行指挥官。他真正有资格享有这个名称的全部含义，他总是努力用他的灵感传染给其他人来面对危险的战争。他对那些年轻的，没有经验的飞行人员总是伸出了友谊之手，使他们第一次战斗中就引导他们直到他们增强信心。他总是帮助这些年轻人狠狠打击敌人。 在他牺牲的那天，威廉在他习惯的航行线做指挥飞行，我也参加了这次行动。他领导战斗机编队对敌人地面目标发动攻击，但是他的飞机被地面炮火击中。当时我无法帮助他，当我听到了他用无线电的呼叫而震惊了，他说他被迫放弃他的飞机。但是不知道什么原因，他没有离开飞机，这时飞机飞得很低而撞击地面。在这样低空，他没有时间跳伞。 虽然他走了，但是他的精神将永远激励我们继续战斗。他永远活在我们心中。 请接收我个人最深的敬意！

忠诚的， Ｍ·戈登Donal M. Gordon（签字）空军少校 第５２９战斗机中队 邮局代理编码A.P.O. #210, 纽约 １９４５年４月２５日

（上述信件原文） 529th Fighter Squadron SE A.P.O. #210, c/o postmaster New York City, New York 29 April 1945

Mrs. Gertrude Rickon 979 Capital Avenue San Francisco, Californa

Dear Mrs. Rickon: I realize that I can say nothing that will lesson your sorrow over the loss of your son, but I would like you to know that the entire squadron shares your loss.

William was a flight leader in our squadron. He was a leader in every sense of the word, always an inspiration to others in his willingness to face the dangers and uncertainties of war. He extended a helping hand to younger pilots less experienced that he, guiding them through their first combat engagements until they had learned confidence in themselves. Through these younger men he will continue to deal blown upon the enemy.

At the time he was lost, William was in his accustomed place leading his flight, with which I was flying that day. He was leading an attack on any enemy position when his airplane was hit by ground fire. I could not help but admire his cool courage as he announced over his radio that he was forced to abandon his airplan. For an unkown reason, he was unable to leave the airplane until he was at a very low altitude. His parachute did not have time to function properly and permit a safe descent.

Though he is gone, his spirit will ride with us everytime we take to the air to go against the enemy. His memory will ever sustain us in the trying days yet to come.

With deepest personal sympathy.

Sincerely,

(Signed) Donal M. Gordon major, Air Corps, Commanding.

回答AGPD-R 201　 Rickon, William K.　中尉事宜　　　　　　
      Mr. Richard D. Rickon 979 Capitol Avenue San Francisco, Californa
理查德·瑞根先生

尊敬的瑞根先生：

      我很荣幸地通知您，根据总统的直接指示，您阵亡的儿子——威廉·Ｅ·瑞根陆军空军中尉荣获高级飞行十字勋章和空军勋章，并从少尉晋升为中尉。下面是有关命令：

高级飞行勋章

        “由于空战的卓越战绩，他们作为战斗机飞行人员从１９４４年４月２７日到１９４５年３月２２日，参加了５０次战斗任务。在中国地区飞行，他们扫射和俯冲轰炸地面上的敌人飞机、通信线路、军队和仓库，给地面和空中的敌人造成了巨大的损失。另外，他们还担任了轰炸机护航和拦截敌机的任务，而且常常是在不利的气候条件下飞行，并克服了许多艰难困苦。他们以勇气和果断很好地完成了任务。他们为自己和陆军空军赢得了崇高的荣誉。”

空军勋章

       “为了从１９４４年４月２７日到１９４４年８月８日卓著的空中飞行，他们作为飞行人员赢得了崇高的荣誉，在敌人占领的缅甸北部地区参加了超过２５次空战任务。在这些任务中，他们以极大的战斗精神和活力攻击了敌人的仓库和军队集中地，对桥梁、机场和其他通信设备造成了的损失。他们很好地完成了这些军事行动为他们自己和陆军空军赢得了荣誉。” 　
  　这些奖章将由总司令部、第９服务司令部、犹他州的道格拉斯要塞发出。他们将指派一名官员负责。这个官员将和你们联系，并且将你们所希望了解的情况告诉你们。 　
   　 再次对你丧失亲人表达我深深的问候！

你的忠诚的， 爱德华·Ｆ威德塞尔（EDWARD F. WITSELL）少将（签字）
        部长副官办公室代理副官 国防部部长副官办公室 华盛顿特区２５号 １９４５年８月１７日　

（上述信件原文）

        WAR DEPARTMENT The Adjutant General’s Office Washington 25, D.C.

In reply refer to:                                17 Gugust 1945 AGPD-R 201 Rickon, William K. 0756 704

Mr. Richard D. Rickon 979 Capitol Avenue San Francisco, Californa

Dear Mr. Rickon:

I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of the President, the Distinguished Flying Cross has been posthumously awarded to your son, First Lieutenant William K. Rickon, Air Corps, and the Air Medal has been awarded to him while he was serving as Second Lieutenant. The citations are as follows:

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS “for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. They participated in fifty combat missions against the enemy as pilots of fighter type aircraft from 27 April 1944 to 22 March 1945. flying from bases in China, they strafed and dive-bombed enemy airfields, lines of communication, troops and supply dumps, inflicting severed damage in the face of fire from the enemy on the ground and in the air. In addition, they flew bomber escort and interceptor missions, often in spite of adverse weather. Overcoming many hazards, they carried out their missions with courage and determination. Their accomplishments reflect high credit upon themselves and upon the Army Air Forces.”

AIR MEDAL “For meritorious achievement in aerial flight from 27 April 1944 to 8 August 1944. they have accomplianed with distinction as pilot, more than twenty-five combat missions over enemy held territory of Northern Burma. In the execution of these flights they have with eagerness and vigor attacked enemy installations of materiel and troop concentrations, inflicting severe damage on these as well as bridges, airdromes and other communication facilities. The initiative and ability displayed in these operations reflect much credit upon themselves and the Army Air Forces.”

The decorations will be forwarded to the Commanding General, Ninth Service Command, Fort Douglas, Utah, who will select an officer to make the presentation. The officer selected will communicate with you concerning your wishes in the matter.

May I again express my deepest sympathy to you in your bereavement.

Sincerely yours,
      (Singed) EDWARD F. WITSELL, Major General
        Acting The Adjutant General’s Office

　　１９８５年，我结识了云南省政府参事常绍群老先生，他当年是云南行营龙（陵）潞（西）游击纵队副司令。他将一堆国外的来信交给我，要我翻译答复。其中就有这样的阵亡通知书。

尊敬的常绍群：
　　
       关于你在“远征——中缅印综合杂志”上的通告，我希望查找这个地点和有关的任何信息。你能够找到威廉·Ｅ·瑞根中尉（见随信附件）吗？ 　

                 　感谢你的帮助。

ＸＸＸ １９８３年１２月１２日　

Dear Chang Shao-qun:

Reference your AD in The “Ex-CBI Roundup”. I wish to locate the qraue site or any information. You can find on Lt. Willian E. Rickon. (see enclosed).

Thank you for all your help.

ＸＸＸＸ(原文字迹不清)

       715-9 One Appian Way South San Francisco, California 94080
南旧金山，加州
１２／１２／８３ 　

　   这三份美国军方的正式文件（复印件）都没有用单位专用信笺，而且排列不整洁甚至为了节省纸张而忽略了必要的公函形式，拼写也有错误，但这是一位美国母亲让自己的孩子成为飞虎队员得到的全部回报。

      发信人无非是希望中国人帮助提供死者的任何信息，因为在陈纳德签署的通知书中已经提到，由于当时这位中尉阵亡的地点是日本人占领区。直到现在，我也没有弄清楚信上提到的“Szeshui”到底在山西省的什么地方，也看不清写信人的亲笔签名，所以无法回信。

      在撰写该文重新翻阅这些信件时，我猛然醒悟到，实际上写信人的名字和地址一样都是印刷的。这个名字是米歇尔·里斯第二(Michael Reese II)。

滇缅抗战史专家  戈叔亚

【注】所有图片为飞虎队与中国美国空军相关图片，此信为几十年前老人给戈叔亚老师，无图。