Valor in the Skies: A Fighter Pilot's World War II Story
The darkness was punctuated by the steady and comforting drone of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine that
propelled his North American P-51 Mustang deeper into enemy territory. It was hard to imagine that this
young man from a small town in north Florida was piloting this superb aircraft deep into Nazi Germany
on a photo reconnaissance mission.
First Lt. Elias J. Nader had struggled to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a US Army Air Corps
fighter pilot. His initial medical evaluations kept him out of uniform, but his determination did not.
Following several voluntary medical procedures, he made it in and earned his wings.
It was his first fighter, a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, that sharpened his skills in aerial tactics. He named his
P-40 fighter after his father (Joseph). When the time came to take the fight to the enemy, it was the P-51
Mustang that became his plane. It was magnificent and because he was in love with a magnificent gal
from Brooklyn, he named his P-51 after her. It was “Vivacious Vivian” that carried him into and back
from battle safely every time.
It was his dashing good looks and pencil thin mustache that caused his squadron buddies to call him “the
sheik”. He was a cross between Rudolph Valentino and Robert Taylor –and with a grand sense of humor.
The men in the 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 363rd Fighter Group (9th Air Force) were
close. A closeness born of a bond they shared as they together risked it all, day after day. It was men like
Chuck Johnson, Bill Mowat, Dick Mueller, Fred Naeve and Eli Nader that fought until victory was assured.
Wingman Lt. Chuck Johnson yelled out “Nader, bandits, 6 o’clock”. Lt. Nader and his wingman Johnson
rolled their Mustangs in a tight descending turn to intercept a pair of Messerschmitt Me 109’s. The
German fighters were caught by surprise and in a brief but furious hail of 50 caliber rounds, one Me 109
went down immediately as the second German fighter maneuvered frantically to counter the attack. It
was too late for the Me 109 pilot as Lt. Nader’s Mustang sent the Messerschmitt to a fiery end in the
German countryside below.
The war in Europe had been won, but as quickly as the cheers and celebration began, it ended, for the war
in the Pacific was still a fierce and deadly conflict. For 1st Lt. Eli Nader, the end of one war was the
beginning of another. His orders were in and he would be going to fight in the Pacific against the Japanese.
The news from the Pacific was wonderful, Japan had surrendered. The war was really over and 1st Lt.
Elias J. Nader could go home to his new bride and family. He had done his duty with honor and valor.
Authored by Adrian Cuarta from the diaries, notes, and photos of Elias J. Nader and the historical
research of his daughter and my wife Joyce Nader
propelled his North American P-51 Mustang deeper into enemy territory. It was hard to imagine that this
young man from a small town in north Florida was piloting this superb aircraft deep into Nazi Germany
on a photo reconnaissance mission.
First Lt. Elias J. Nader had struggled to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a US Army Air Corps
fighter pilot. His initial medical evaluations kept him out of uniform, but his determination did not.
Following several voluntary medical procedures, he made it in and earned his wings.
It was his first fighter, a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, that sharpened his skills in aerial tactics. He named his
P-40 fighter after his father (Joseph). When the time came to take the fight to the enemy, it was the P-51
Mustang that became his plane. It was magnificent and because he was in love with a magnificent gal
from Brooklyn, he named his P-51 after her. It was “Vivacious Vivian” that carried him into and back
from battle safely every time.
It was his dashing good looks and pencil thin mustache that caused his squadron buddies to call him “the
sheik”. He was a cross between Rudolph Valentino and Robert Taylor –and with a grand sense of humor.
The men in the 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 363rd Fighter Group (9th Air Force) were
close. A closeness born of a bond they shared as they together risked it all, day after day. It was men like
Chuck Johnson, Bill Mowat, Dick Mueller, Fred Naeve and Eli Nader that fought until victory was assured.
Wingman Lt. Chuck Johnson yelled out “Nader, bandits, 6 o’clock”. Lt. Nader and his wingman Johnson
rolled their Mustangs in a tight descending turn to intercept a pair of Messerschmitt Me 109’s. The
German fighters were caught by surprise and in a brief but furious hail of 50 caliber rounds, one Me 109
went down immediately as the second German fighter maneuvered frantically to counter the attack. It
was too late for the Me 109 pilot as Lt. Nader’s Mustang sent the Messerschmitt to a fiery end in the
German countryside below.
The war in Europe had been won, but as quickly as the cheers and celebration began, it ended, for the war
in the Pacific was still a fierce and deadly conflict. For 1st Lt. Eli Nader, the end of one war was the
beginning of another. His orders were in and he would be going to fight in the Pacific against the Japanese.
The news from the Pacific was wonderful, Japan had surrendered. The war was really over and 1st Lt.
Elias J. Nader could go home to his new bride and family. He had done his duty with honor and valor.
Authored by Adrian Cuarta from the diaries, notes, and photos of Elias J. Nader and the historical
research of his daughter and my wife Joyce Nader
Lt. Nader - Germany, 1945
The Squadron in Holland - March, 1945: Lt. Nader (Center), Lt. Johnson and the others.
| Photos |
Lt. Nader with German Messerschmitt Bf 109 - 1945
"Vivacious Vivian" - Lt. Nader's P-51 Fighter Plane
Lt. Nader, Lt. Johnson (Nader's Wingman) and Lt. Bailey with "our dear" - Germany, 1945.
Of special interest, the two rifles in the photo are both German.
Of special interest, the two rifles in the photo are both German.
Squadron pilots with "Vivacious Vivian"
Lt. Nader and his P-40 Warhawk
Lt. Nader in an early model P-51
Lt. Nader and asst. crew chief with his P-40 Warhawk
Last minute briefing to Squadron pilots - Lt. Nader 2nd from right.
The Squadron - Holland, 1945 - Lts. Johnson, Nader, Bearden, Bailey, and the others.
Lt. Nader with asst. crew chief for "Vivacious Vivian"
Lt. Nader in front of "Vivacious Vivian"
Of note, destruction in background would suggest he is stationed on a former Luftwaffe airfield.
Of note, destruction in background would suggest he is stationed on a former Luftwaffe airfield.
Lt. Nader with Betty Grable and other 1940's movie stars.
Lt. Nader after a mission.
Lt. Nader gazing at the real Vivacious Vivian
Lt. Nader - the "Sheik"
Lt. Nader poses in front of a British Hawker Typhoon fighter/bomber.
Lt. Nader and wingman Johnson pose on a German Flak Gun - Germany, 1945.
Lt. Nader with German Focke-Wulf FW 190 fighter plane - VE Day.
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