The Planes on the Prairie crew are excited to bring to you this very special episode, featuring Captain William "Bill" Hennon, who was a fighter pilot in P-40s during the darkest days of the Pacific War, racking up aerial victories in the ill-fated Java campaign along with the struggle for air superiority over Northern Australia in early 1942.

This episode is very special to us because we were able to get in touch with Hennon's son, Mike Raudenbush, who not only was able to provide us with great insight on his father's personal life and combat exploits, but also to join us on this episode of the podcast. Episodes like this are why we are doing this series, and it has been a blast working with Mike.

With that being said, we hope you enjoy this installment of our Minnesota Aces series!

In this episode, the guys cover Major William J. Stangel, a Thief River Falls, Minnesota native. Tune in to learn about his combat exploits during the final years of the Second World War and learn about the famed 352nd Fighter Group!

In our next episode, we discuss our seventh MN Ace, this time featuring Captain Herbert N. Houck, a Corona, Minnesota native. Tune in to learn about Houck's impressive combat career with VF-9 of the US Navy, the air engagements he was apart of, and the famous sinking of the Yamato.

In this episode, the guys discuss a World War I ace by the name of Martinus Stenseth, a Heiberg, Minnesota Native. Tune in to learn more about Stenseth with his time with the 28th Aero Squadron on the Western Front during WWI, his interwar exploits, and his time during WWII as the founding commander of what is now called Nellis AFB.

In this episode, the Planes on the Prairie crew discuss the life and combat career of the podcast's first F4U Corsair Ace, Albert Lea native Major John W. Ruhsam. Tune in to learn a bit about his combat career, the air battle over Okinawa, and the "Death Rattlers" of VMF-323.

In this spooky edition of the Minnesota Aces series, we have a special treat for you, 1st Lt. Eugene D. Axtell, a P-61 Black Widow ace who hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tune in to hear the guys discuss the combat career of Axtell, and learn a little bit about the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron, along with night fighting operations in the European Theater of the Second World War. Thanks for listening!

In this installment of the MN Aces series, Max and Sam discuss the life and combat career of Second Lieutenant Cecil J. "Danny" Doyle. Doyle was a Marshall, Minnesota native who served as a member of VMF-121, Joe Foss's "Flying Circus." We hope you enjoy this episode of our first Marine ace across all of our episodes, and thanks for listening!

In our second installment of our Minnesota Aces Series, Max and Sam discuss the life and combat career of Kenneth H. Dahlberg, who was a triple ace flying Mustangs and Thunderbolts in Western Europe. Special thanks to AirCorps Aviation out of Bemidji, MN for their assistance in researching this episode!

Shillelaugh Restoration:

https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/p-51b-shillelagh-wings-of-the-north-museum-project-fall-2021-update/