Born May 16, 1919, Capt John “Johnny” Hampshire hailed from Grants Pass, Oregon. His mother died when he was 6 years old from complications of a tonsillectomy and he was raised by his father. After graduating high school, he studied Chemical Engineering while attending Oregon State College. He worked in a gas station, served as a volunteer fireman and learned to dive and became keenly interested in aviation. He formed a flying club with two friends and together they learned to fly.
Johnny enlisted in Army Air Corp 1940 and in 1942 he was assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron of the 23rd Fighter Group known as the Flying Tigers. Lt Col John Alison, commanding officer of the 75th Squadron tells the story of how he would always take up new pilots to test their skill in air-to-air combat. Being more experienced, it was typically easy for him to best the new pilots. With Johnny Hampshire it was different Lt Col Alison took him up and really had a hard time besting him. He recognized that Hampshire was very talented pilot right from the start.
By all accounts Johnny was a delight to be around. Squadron mate, Lt Joe says other than Lt Col Alison, Johnny was the most admired and looked-up-to pilot. He knew the P-40 like nobody else he has ever met and “he could really make it talk.”
On May 2, 1943, the squadron received an alert of 47 enemy aircraft or more headed their way. Lt Col Alison led five other aircraft including Hampshire climbing to18,000 feet. Fifteen of the enemy were spotted about 8,000 ft below and they dove to attack. In the ensuing fight, Hampshire downed one aircraft (his 16th overall). They flew on and encountered more enemy aircraft. They downed a further six aircraft with Hampshire getting one more.
When returning t0 base they realized they were one man short. One of the other pilots said he had seen an airplane landing in the river. Upon reaching base, they realized Johnny was not with them. Lt. Col Alison soon received a message from the Chinese Army – “American pilot landed in river. Hit in stomach. Guts running out. Send doctor quick.”
The squadron doctor was close personal friend of Johnny’s. They quickly devised scheme to fly him up in the baggage compartment of a P-43. Doc would parachute out. They flew out about 30 minutes but ran into a storm. A message came through while the rescue mission was in progress that Johnny had died even before they took off.
The Chinese lit off 100,000 firecrackers in his memory and to ward off evil spirits. He was recovered and is now buried in Hawaii. His portrait hangs at Grants Pass High School, and an “eternal” flame burns in his honor at the Grants Pass Hillcrest Cemetery.
It was widely predicted that he was going to end up as the leading American ace of WWII. He ended up as number two ace in the Burma Theater officially credited with 13 but he likely downed 17 aircraft during his short time with the 75th.
For his achievements during his service Capt. John Hampshire was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal w/ 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart and the Wu Kong Certificate.
This artwork is a portrait of Johnny Hampshire flying his P-40K “White 161”. The external drop tank was typically dropped prior to going into combat so the airplane could perform to its peak capabilities. This is the aircraft he was flying when he was shot down.