Lincoln Rogers Sherwood WW II 1945

Lincoln Rogers Sherwood was the oldest living son of L.P. and Clara Sherwood. Lincoln was born October 26th, 1922, and raised in St.Johns Arizona. He spent most of his time working on the family farm, or helping his dad build a family Home. Lincoln and his younger brother Gleason, learned what hard work was early in life, and grew into strong Arizona farm boys. The strength was both in body and mind, which would help them endure the hardships that were soon to come upon both of them.

Lincoln went to war first as a Thunder Bolt pilot. The Thunder Bolt pilots were considered the elite of the elite. The encylopedia Wikipedia states, "The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug," was the biggest, heaviest and most expensive single-engined fighter in history to be powered by a piston engine. [2] It was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II. The P-47 was effective in air combat but proved especially adept at ground attack. It had eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded the P-47 could weigh up to eight tons". It flew 500 miles per hour and could reach altitudes of 25,000 feet.













Younger brother Gleason was offered a hardship deferment to stay home and run the farm, but his brother was over there and it was a noble and just cause, so Gleason followed as an infantry foot soldier. They both were sent to Italy. Lincoln flew 42 missions over Italy before he was shot down behind enemy lines.

Gleason was in some of the most bloody ground fighting in Italy, as they fought their way toward Mussolini’s Chateau. It was in the middle of this bloody fighting that Gleason was informed that his brother Lincoln had made his way back to the safety of the allied side, through the “underground”.

Lincoln was ordered back to the States, this was against his wishes. However, it was not only for his safety that he was to be sent home, but also for the safety of the whole under ground movement, who had made it possible for him to survive behind enemy lines and make it safely back. Eldon Pulsipher of St. Johns entered the service on the same day as Gleason, and was present when Gleason was told of his brothers safe return.

Eldon told me the following," Gleason was in the infantry I was in the heavy artillery, we followed the infantry. That day we went uphill on a narrow road, the Germans had their guns sighted in on the road, and when we started up the hill they opened up. It was a terrible slaughter of our troops. Then when our troops jumped for cover in the bar ditch along the side of the road, it was mined. We took terrible losses, we followed up with the heavy artillery. During a lull in the battle, I was looking for Gleason, I found him sitting on a stump. Head in hands, he couldn't even talk, he was shell shocked or something. It was while I was there that the Red Cross came looking for Gleason Sherwood. I told them that's him sitting there. They wanted to take him back with them to see his brother before they shipped Lincoln home".

Gleason was allowed a pass to spend some time with his brother, this would be there last time together, Gleason returned to the battle and Lincoln went to South Carolina to train more Pilots.


June 12th 1945, Lincoln’s plane went down, ending the two brothers dreams of partnership farm. Gleason made it home and founded Hill Top Dairy in St. Johns.

Eldon feels that this meeting of the two brothers may have saved Gleason’s life because of the terrible fighting that began again shortly after he was taken to see his brother, which may be very true.



Gleason (left)and Lincoln



The following information was obtained from a Carlo Mondani in Italy who is putting together information on fighter pilots shot down in Italy during WWII. Mr Mondani has told me in his communication that he is putting this together out of appreciation for the pilots and their roles in the liberation of Italy.

Mr. Mondani also gave the following data:
Date of enlistment: October 28, 1942
Place of enlistment: Phoenix, Az.
Branch: Air Corps
P-47 fighter pilot with 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group
Serial Number 0-774327
P-47 serial: 44-20140

And the following history in his words: As stated by Missing Air Crew Report #12463, 1st Lt. Lincoln R. Sherwood was shot down SE of Modena (south of the town of Vignola) on 22 February, 1945 during a dive bombing mission. He landed safely by parachute in enemy territory and after some weeks returned to his organization. (page of 66th Fighter Squadron war diary). I suppose he received some help by partisans or Italian farmers. On 22 February, 1945 the front line was located near 30km south. The allied units in that zone were the American 10th Mountain Division (Gen. George P. Hays) and Brazilian 1st Infantry Division.

My posterity and I will be forever thankful to the great sacrifices these two brothers made. We are grateful as well, for this small town St. Johns, which is filled with many unsung Heroes.

May the Good Lord in Heaven bless them and all of us who are the beneficiary of their great sacrifice, in many cases, was the ultimate sacrifice…that of their lives.