John R. Alison, a World War II ace fighter pilot, UF alumnus and predominant Gainesville figure, died June 6 at his home in Washington, D.C.
While serving as deputy commander of the 75th Flying Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theater during the war, Alison and fellow Lt. Col. Philip Cochran carried out what's arguably Alison's most praised accomplishment.
The team designed a plan to establish bases behind enemy lines in Burma to prevent the Japanese from invading India. Dubbed Operation Thursday, the plan was essential in helping the Royal Air Force weaken Japanese forces.
Alison led the first flight of the six-day operation, and because if its success, Alison and Cochran are said to be the grandfathers of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, according to Douglas Birkey, director of government relations for the Air Force Association, for which Alison served as president from 1954 to 1955.
To the dismay of his parents, aviation was an early interest of Alison's.
His dream remained just that until, while sitting in high school study hall, he heard a Curtiss P-1 zoom by the campus. A thesis paper written by Richard W. Boltz at Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., reports it was that moment Alison could resist no longer.
After begging for flying lessons, his parents reluctantly gave in. And with that, a pilot was born.
Alison's aeronautical talents gained international recognition. In 1941 he served as a technical adviser to the Royal Air Force, training English forces on the assembly and use of the P-40 fighter. He served the same role to the Soviet Union immediately after.
He was also chosen to demonstrate the P-40's abilities for the Nationalist Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek when he came to the United States to buy equipment in 1940. After much skepticism, Alison proved the jet was a capable piece of equipment with an impressive five-minute demonstration, and the Chinese leader complimented his skill, according to Boltz's thesis.
During his service, Alison earned several awards including a Distinguished Service Order and a Distinguished Service Cross among others. He had seven confirmed kills, which earned him his ace title, and a number of non-confirmed kills.
Alison retired from the Air Force Reserve in 1955 a major general.
Born in Micanopy, Alison, 98, attended Gainesville High School until 1931. He continued his education at UF and graduated in 1935 with a degree in industrial engineering. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and a member of UF's ROTC. By graduation, he was the head of the artillery battalion.
Shortly after the war, Gainesville's regional airport was named the John R. Alison Airport in his honor. Though the name was changed in 1977 to Gainesville Regional Airport, the passenger terminal remains named for him.
Alison is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Kathleen Arcidiano, his two sons, David and John and three grandchildren.
