Paint scheme in tribute to Cary Salter of the 354th Fighter Group. 9th Air Force, known as the “Pioneer Mustang Group” for having been the first fighter group to receive the P-51 for combat assignment.
CARY W. SALTER, JR.
Born December 4, 1921 at Macon Miss. Enlisted in Aviation Cadets June 1942. Called to active duty November 1942. Took Pre-flight at Maxwell, and flying schools at Arcadia, Fla.; Bainbridge, Ga.; and Marianna, Fla., graduating August 1943, with Class 43-H as 2nd Lt. Married the former Charlotte Ezell of Louisville, Miss., on June 18, 1944. Departed for ETO October 1944. Joined 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group, 353rd Sqdn., in eastern France on December 8, 1944.
Credited with eight missions in P-47 and 60 in P-51. Decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star. Separated from active duty as Captain October 1946. Retired Lt. Colonel from Air Force Reserve September 1971. Earned BS degree in Pharmacy from the University of Mississippi August 1949. Organized Mississippi Drug Company and was president until retiring in 1986.