Major George Preddy, America's top P-51 Mustang ace, achieved his final two aerial victories on Christmas Eve 1944, before tragically losing his life to friendly fire the next day. His total of 27 confirmed kills made him the highest-scoring P-51 Mustang pilot in the European Theater.

Major George Preddy's final aerial victory came on December 24, 1944, during World War II when he shot down two German Focke-Wulf Fw 190s over Belgium. As one of the U.S. Army Air Forces' leading aces the victory marked his 26th and 27th confirmed kills cementing his legacy as the top P-51 Mustang ace of World War II.

Flying with the renowned 352nd Fighter Group known as the "Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney" Preddy's Christmas Eve triumph would tragically be his last. Just hours after claiming these victories he was killed by friendly anti-aircraft fire while pursuing enemy aircraft during the Battle of the Bulge. His remarkable combat record and dedication to duty made him one of America's most celebrated fighter pilots of the war.

George Preddy established himself as the highest scoring P-51 Mustang ace in the European Theater of Operations with 27 confirmed aerial victories. His combat career began in 1942 flying P-40 Warhawks with the 49th Fighter Group in Darwin, Australia, where he achieved his first victory against a Japanese aircraft.

In 1944, Preddy's performance reached exceptional heights as a USAAF ace while flying with the 352nd Fighter Group. From June to December 1944, he demonstrated remarkable aerial combat skills:

• Scored 6 aerial victories in a single mission on August 6, 1944
• Destroyed 25 German aircraft in air combat while flying the P-51 Mustang
• Damaged 5 additional enemy aircraft during ground attacks
• Accumulated over 200 combat missions in the European Theater

His combat achievements include:

Achievement	Count
Total Aerial Victories	27
Ground Victories	5
Combat Missions	200+
Single-Day Victories	6

Preddy's expertise in the P-51 Mustang made him particularly effective against Germany's top fighters. He specialized in aggressive tactics engaging Luftwaffe aircraft including:

• Focke-Wulf Fw 190s
• Messerschmitt Bf 109s
• Junkers Ju 88s

His final engagement on December 24, 1944, demonstrated his tactical prowess when he shot down two Fw 190s over Germany. These victories marked the culmination of his distinguished career as a fighter pilot, cementing his status as one of the most successful American aces of World War II.

On December 24, 1944, USAAF ace George Preddy embarked on his final combat mission in the European Theater, piloting his P-51 Mustang during the Battle of the Bulge.

The 352nd Fighter Group launched a tactical mission at 1100 hours to provide air support for Allied ground forces. Preddy led a formation of P-51 Mustangs on armed reconnaissance over the Ardennes region. During this mission, he encountered two Focke-Wulf Fw 190s at medium altitude, successfully engaging both aircraft in combat. These victories marked his 26th and 27th confirmed aerial kills, further cementing his status as the highest scoring P-51 Mustang ace.

The weather on December 24 presented challenging combat conditions with a low cloud ceiling at 2,000 feet. Visibility remained restricted due to overcast skies with scattered snow showers. Ground fog patches limited observation below 1,000 feet, forcing pilots to maintain vigilant situational awareness while conducting operations. These adverse conditions required exceptional skill to navigate effectively through combat engagements.

Weather Element	Condition
Cloud Ceiling	2,000 feet
Visibility	Restricted
Ground Level	Patchy fog
Temperature	Below freezing

On December 24, 1944, USAAF ace George Preddy led his P-51 Mustang formation through challenging weather conditions during the Battle of the Bulge. The mission marked a significant moment in his combat career as he achieved his final aerial victories.

At 0930 hours, Preddy's squadron encountered a group of German Focke-Wulf Fw 190s near the front lines. Despite poor visibility with a 300-foot cloud ceiling, he spotted two enemy aircraft maneuvering at low altitude. Preddy executed a decisive intercept, positioning his P-51 Mustang for an optimal attack angle through the patches of fog.

Preddy engaged the Fw 190s in quick succession, demonstrating his exceptional marksmanship. His first burst of gunfire struck the lead aircraft, sending it spiraling toward the ground. Moments later, he locked onto the second Fw 190, scoring direct hits that resulted in his 27th confirmed kill. These victories cemented his status as the highest-scoring P-51 Mustang ace in the European Theater, marking the end of his remarkable combat record.

Achievement Details	Statistics
Date of Final Victory	December 24, 1944
Total Confirmed Kills	27
Aircraft Type	P-51 Mustang
Enemy Aircraft	Fw 190 (2)
Time of Engagement	0930 hours
Weather Conditions	300-foot ceiling

Hours after achieving his final victories on December 24, 1944, USAAF ace George Preddy met a devastating fate that cut short his remarkable combat career.

On Christmas Day 1944, Preddy led his P-51 Mustang formation on a patrol mission during the Battle of the Bulge. At 0930 hours, while pursuing German aircraft near Liege, Belgium, U.S. anti-aircraft batteries opened fire on the flight. The ground forces misidentified Preddy's P-51 Mustang as an enemy aircraft in the low-visibility conditions. Multiple 90mm anti-aircraft rounds struck his aircraft, sending it into an uncontrollable dive.

Details of the Incident
Date	December 25, 1944
Location	Near Liege, Belgium
Aircraft	P-51 Mustang
Time	0930 hours
Cause	U.S. anti-aircraft fire

The 27-victory European Theater ace managed to bail out of his stricken aircraft but succumbed to his injuries shortly after reaching the ground. His death marked a significant loss for the 352nd Fighter Group, ending the career of the highest-scoring P-51 Mustang pilot in the European Theater. The incident highlighted the tragic complexity of air combat operations during the chaotic conditions of the Battle of the Bulge.

Major George Preddy's accomplishments cemented his position as the highest-scoring P-51 Mustang ace in the European Theater. His record of 27 confirmed aerial victories remains a testament to his exceptional piloting skills and tactical prowess.

The USAAF ace's combat techniques influenced fighter pilot training programs throughout the remaining months of World War II. His aggressive intercept methods demonstrated the P-51 Mustang's superior capabilities when paired with skilled pilots.

The 352nd Fighter Group honored Preddy's memory by:

• Naming their primary briefing room at Bodney Airfield the "Preddy Memorial Room"
• Establishing the Preddy Foundation to preserve air combat history
• Creating a memorial display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Multiple aviation institutions recognize Preddy's achievements:

• The North Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame inducted him in 1974
• The American Fighter Aces Association lists him among their distinguished members
• The National Aviation Hall of Fame features his combat records in their archives

Achievement Category	Statistics
Total Aerial Victories	27
Ground Victories	5
Combat Missions	200+
Service Duration	1942-1944
Aircraft Flown	P-40, P-51

• Annual scholarship programs for aspiring military pilots
• Historical preservation of World War II fighter tactics
• Educational outreach programs about air combat history
• Documentary productions highlighting his achievements

• Major George Preddy achieved his final aerial victories on December 24, 1944, shooting down two German Fw 190s over Belgium
• With 27 confirmed kills, Preddy was the top P-51 Mustang ace in the European Theater during WWII
• He completed over 200 combat missions and scored 6 aerial victories in a single day on August 6, 1944
• Hours after his last victories, Preddy was tragically killed by friendly anti-aircraft fire on December 25, 1944, near Liege, Belgium
• His legacy lives on through the Preddy Foundation, multiple aviation hall of fame inductions, and memorial displays at major air force museums

Major George Preddy's final aerial victories on December 24 1944 marked the culmination of an extraordinary combat career. His achievement of downing two Fw 190s that morning brought his total to 27 confirmed kills making him the highest-scoring P-51 Mustang ace in the European Theater. Though his life ended tragically the next day his legacy lives on through various memorials scholarships and educational programs. Preddy's remarkable skills exceptional leadership and ultimate sacrifice continue to inspire new generations of military aviators showcasing the profound impact one pilot could have on aerial warfare history.