"Bonnie" Pennant

On December 7, 1944, then-Major William “Bill” Dunham led a formation of nine P-47s from the 460th Fighter Squadron on a mission to “engage, disperse, and destroy” enemy air cover protecting a Japanese convoy in San Isidro Bay.

During the engagement, Major Dunham shot down four enemy aircraft and spotted the pilot of a Japanese Ki-43 “Oscar” descending by parachute. Turning his P-47 around, Dunham began an attack run on the helpless airman. Japanese pilots had often fired on American airmen descending by parachute, so Bill’s initial intention may well have been revenge. But at the last moment, he changed his mind. Seeing the Japanese pilot drifting over the waves with little chance of survival, Dunham made a daring low-level pass, opened his cockpit canopy, and threw his Mae West life vest to the stranded aviator.

For this extraordinary act of courage and compassion, Dunham was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The event was later immortalized in Uncommon Chivalry, a painting displayed at the Museum of Flight. Bill Dunham finished the war as the second-highest-scoring P-47 ace in the Southwest Pacific Theater, with 16 aerial victories.

The distinguished service and leadership of Brigadier General William “Bill” Dunham in the Southwest Pacific during World War II are honored today by the Dakota Territory Air Museum, which is restoring P-47D-23RA 42-27609 in the markings of Dunham’s final Thunderbolt, “Bonnie.”

This collection pays tribute to this remarkable pilot and his magnificent P-47D “Bonnie.” We have worked closely with AirCorps Aviation and the Dakota Territory Air Museum to create a collection of products with the highest possible level of historical accuracy and attention to detail.