David Franklin Thwaites (September 8, 1921 – December 15, 2015) was a fighter pilot and flying ace of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He became an ace piloting the P-47 Thunderbolt as a member of the 361st Fighter Squadron of the 356th Fighter Group. Thwaites, based out of RAF Martlesham Heath in England, was the second highest scoring pilot in his squadron with six confirmed victories, and the only pilot of the 356th FG to score all of his victories while serving with the group. He scored his victories using three different P-47s, however, he nicknamed them all Polly. Following the completion of his tour in September 1944, he returned to the United States and became an instructor. Following the surrender of Germany, Thwaites was stationed in Germany and on August 19, 1946, while a member of the 396th Fighter Squadron/368th Fighter Group, his P-47 Thunderbolt was involved in an aerial collision in the vicinity of Borkum. See also List of United States Air Force squadrons List of World War II aces from United States Notes References Bibliography Web External links Photo of David Thwaites 1921 births 2015 deaths American World War II flying aces Aviators from Pennsylvania Military personnel from Pennsylvania People from Conshohocken, Pennsylvania Recipients of the Air Medal Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) United States Air Force officers United States Army Air Forces officers United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II