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MRS. E.J. "RED" PETACH HANKS, AVG AVG "Flying Tigers" nurse and Flying Tigers Association Vice President: Mrs. Hanks first traveled to China as a student in the mid-1930's. She returned to the United States to attend nursing school with the eventual goal of returning to China to help the Chinese people. When she learned that Claire Chennault was recruiting a group of American pilots for service with the Chinese Air Force, and that these pilots would need the services of trained medical personnel, she immediately volunteered. While in China, Mrs. Hanks married AVG pilot John E. Petach. Unfortunately, John Petach who had volunteered to temporarily stay-on in China following the deactivation of the AVG with the fledgling 23rd Fighter Group could gain initial combat experience was killed by Japanese ground fire. With the death of her husband, Mr.s Hanks returned to the United States, where she taught nursing at Yale University until the end of the Second World War. Eventually she met and married former CNAC pilot, Fletcher Hanks. |
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