User:Skeet Shooter/Sandbox/Jim Brooks

James L. "Jim" Brooks (born January 1922) is a retired United States Air Force officer, fighter ace, and test pilot. During World War II, he was credited with destroying thirteen enemy aircraft while flying in the European Theater of Operations. In the Korean War, he participated in the first large, all-jet air battle. The P-51 Mustang, February, that Brooks flew in World War II was restored to flying condition by Chris Woods of Woods Aviation, LLC.

Early life
Jim Brooks was born in January 1922 in the town of Roanoke, Virginia.

Military career
Brooks entered the United States Army Air Corps in 1942. He graduated as a Second Lieutenant and was assigned to the 52d Fighter Squadron where he flew the Bell P-39 Airacobra and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. After seven months, Brooks was reassigned to the 307th Fighter Squadron of the 31st Fighter Group and sent to San Severino, Italy. He started flying the Supermarine Spitfire MK IX then transitioned to the B model of the North American P-51 Mustang.

Honors
During his combat tour in World War II, Brooks earned the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Medal with twenty-one clusters.