Militaryג'ורג' ליכטר

George Lichter

George Lichter was an American fighter pilot in World War II and one of the founders of the Israeli Air Force.

1921 to 2013Founding the Israeli Air ForceTraining early Israeli pilotsOperation Velvetta II

Born: 14 December 1921, Brooklyn
Died: 2 August 2013
Occupation: military personnel
Wars: World War II, 1948 Palestine war

George Lichter was born in 1921 in Brooklyn

Lichter was born in Brooklyn in 1921 to a Jewish family. His parents were Ben and Bessie.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor he volunteered for the US Army Air Forces and trained as a pilot in Texas. He served with the 361st Fighter Group in Europe, flying the P-47 and P-51 on 88 combat missions, including the Normandy landings. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

In 1948 he volunteered for the new Israeli Air Force. In Czechoslovakia he trained Israeli pilots, then flew with the 101 Squadron in Israel. In December 1948 he took part in Operation Velvetta II, ferrying Spitfires to Israel.

After the war he served as chief test pilot at Tel Nof and later as an instructor at the advanced flying school.

In 1951 he returned to the United States and worked in textiles. He retired to Boulder, Colorado, in 1995 and died in 2013. He had three children.

George Lichter's life in 8 milestones

1921
Born in Brooklyn.
1942
Joined the US Army Air Forces.
1943
Sent to England with the 361st Fighter Group.
1948
Volunteered for the Israeli Air Force.
1948
Took part in Operation Velvetta II.
1951
Returned to the United States.
1995
Retired to Boulder, Colorado.
2013
Died.

George Lichter served in IDF Pilot Course

In 1948 he volunteered for the Israeli Air Force, trained pilots in Czechoslovakia, flew with the 101 Squadron and led Spitfires to Israel in Operation Velvetta II. He later served as chief test pilot at Tel Nof and as an advanced flying instructor.

IDF Pilot Course