Voll, John James, 1922-1987

John James Voll (May 3, 1922 – September 12, 1987) was a career officer in the United States Air Force and a World War II flying ace.

Voll was credited with destroying 21 enemy aircraft in aerial combat between June and November 1944. Flying a P-51D named "American Beauty," his final victories occurred during a spectacular, individual effort. While leading an escort mission to Munich on November 16, 1944, Captain Voll experienced electrical problems and left the formation. As he returned alone, he spotted a single Ju-88 over Udine, Italy. Chasing the German aircraft as it attempted to return to its base, Voll was suddenly jumped by twelve Me-109s and FW-190s. He quickly dispatched the Ju-88 and turned into the enemy fighters.

In a swirling, 5-minute battle, John destroyed two FW-190s, one Me-109, had two probables, and two damaged. This was such an impressive feat of courage and stamina, but John’s commander feared that time was against him and decided that this would be his last combat mission. So John was sent to China as a headquarters staff officer in the China-American Composite Wing. He was the third highest scoring Mustang ace of the war, and the top U.S.A.A.F. ace of the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations, with 21 victories.

After returning to the states, he served in the Pacific Theater before leaving active duty on November 13, 1945, just three days shy of the one year anniversary of his infamous air battle. Following his discharge, John returned home. In the fall of 1946, he returned to his alma mater and was hired as a Goshen High School science teacher. He taught two years before being recalled to active duty on October 26, 1948.

After being recalled, John served with the 3525th Pilot Training Wing at Williams Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, until October 1949. He was then transferred to the 66th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Voll served with the 66th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, until October 1951, and then he was assigned to the 1002nd Inspector General Group at Norton AFB, California, where he served as a Power Plant Specialist and Inspector until August 1954. While there he attended Air Command and Staff College, graduating in June 1955. Voll then served with Air Defense Command at Hamilton AFB, California, from July 1955 to November 1958. He received an undergraduate degree from San Francisco State College in 1957. A new assignment took him to the Air Force Advisory Group at Kimpo AB, South Korea, where he remained until November 1960. From November 1960 to October 1961, Voll served with the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. He then served as the Commander of the 522nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, also at Cannon, from October 1961 to July 1962, and then he was assigned as an Operations Staff Officer for the 832nd Air Division at Cannon.

Voll's next assignment was with Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, Virginia, where he served from October 1962 to August 1964. He received a master’s in management from George Washington University in 1964. Alway seeking further education, he then attended Naval Warfare School at Newport, Rhode Island, graduating in June 1965. From July 1965 to June 1966, he went through air Attaché training and was assigned as Air Attaché to Singapore from June 1966 to July 1968. Colonel Voll served as the Chief of the Plans Division for the 6250th Support Squadron at Tan Son Nhut AB in the Republic of Vietnam from July 1968 to August 1969.

Voll completed Armed Forces Staff College, graduating in June 1970 and received his final assignment as commander of the 77th Aeronautical Systems Wing at McClellan AFB, California. This assignment lasted from October 1973 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 31, 1974. John had 32 years of military service.

John Voll’s valor earned him the Distinguished Service Cross which reads: "The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John J. Voll (0-705511), Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 16 November 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. After destroying a JU 88 in the Udine area, Captain Voll was jumped by a dozen enemy fighters. Despite being heavily outnumbered, he remained in the fight, shooting down four more enemy to become an ace in a day. Captain Voll's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces."

In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, Voll was awarded the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 26 Oak Leaf Clusters.

After retiring, Voll lived in Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He died on September 12, 1987, age 65, and is buried at the Massachusetts Veterans Administration National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne, Massachusetts, Section 9 Site 727.