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Spitfire Mk. VB of 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group USAAF photographed in Westhampnett in the second half of 1942. Thus aircraft, WZ-A, was the personal mount of Maj. Harrison Thyng, C/O of the squadron. Although it’s not visible on this photo, the aircraft was nicknamed Mary & James after his wife and son.

Maj. Harrison Thyng was among the first USAAF pilots to see combat over France. On August 9, 1942 Thyng claimed a Junkers Ju 88 damaged over the Channel, the first claim by a U.S. fighter over Europe during the war. [American Memory]