P-51D-5-NA #44-13321 was flown by Major George E. Preddy of the 352nd Fighter Group, 486th Fighter Squadron in 1944. Preddy began the war flying P-40 Warhawks with the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group in defense of northern Australia but was seriously injured in a collision and was sent back to the USA to recover. Later, he was assigned to the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, of which he became Operations Officer in March 1944. Promoted to Major, he assumed command of the 328th Fighter Squadron. He was recognized as a highly gifted pilot and most of his kills were against enemy fighters. His most impressive feat was shooting down six German fighters on a single mission on August 6, 1944. Preddy was the top Mustang ace of the war and was credited with 26.83 victories (including 23.83 in the Mustang) when he was killed by friendly fire on Christmas day, 1944. He was also credited with 2 damaged and 5 ground victories. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star with Oak Leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 8 Oak Leaf clusters, the Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf clusters, the Purple Heart (posthumously) and the Belgian Croix de Guerre (posthumously).