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By all accounts, Rarey was a gentle and amiable man who had learned to fly a P47 fighter before he had even learned to drive. And, in spite of the immense demands placed upon him as a fighter pilot, Rarey never stopped drawing and would spend every spare minute sketching the events and personalities which comprised the 362FG. That combination of fighter pilot and artist was a rarity.

The Group did not receive its combat aircraft until the very end of December 1943 and flew its first combat mission on 8th February. It was around this time that most of the nose arts were painted -- Rarey noted in his diary on 15th March that he had completed about half of the 379FS's planes. Each one was, in some way, a reflection of each pilot's character. Lt Shumway's fighter became "Slugger", Geyer's became "Stud", Larsen's "The Deacon", Thurman Morrison's was "Memphis Rebel". In all, Rarey is thought to have completed 28 nose art designs and "Mogin's Maulers", as the group had now become known, was indeed a colourful sight.

On 22nd March 44, George Rarey heard he had become a father and in celebration named and painted his P47 as "Damon's Demon" after his new born son. Tragically, Rarey's life and immense talent was cut short when he was killed a few weeks after D-day. On 26th June, he took off leading a four plane section on a search and destroy mission over France. A direct flak hit while on a low level strafing run exploded his fighter. Years later, his son Damon published a book full of his father's wonderful wartime sketches and cartoons -- entitled "Laughter and Tears". A fine tribute to a highly talented artist who completed more than 60 combat missions.

© Ray Bowden