Born in Santa Paula, California, November 11, 1919
Graduated from the Santa Paula High School, June 1937 Attended the Ventura Junior College, 1937-38
Enrolled in the University of California, Davis, August 1939 Combination - Degree curriculum
Completed two semesters in residence and withdrew to enlist

Military Service

MILITARY HISTORY
O 433 896

Military Training

Enlisted as Aviation Cadet, with Army of the United States, 3 June 1941
Jun 1941 to Aug 1941; Air Corps Training Detachment, King City, California. Aug 1941 to Nov 1941; AC Basic Flying School, Moffett Field, California.
Nov 1941 to Jan 1942; AC Advanced Flying School, Luke Field, Phoenix, Arizona,
Graduated from the Aviation Cadet Training Program as a Flying Pilot, 8 January 1942 and honorably discharged,

COMMISSIONED Second Lieutenant, AC Reserve, 9 January 1942; accepted appointment and entered on active duty same date,
COMMISSIONED First Lieutenant, AUS, 16 August 1943 and assigned to the Pioneer Mustang Group, AAF.

Active Service Assignments

Jan 1942 to Mar 1944; Flying Instructor, Hg & Hg Sq, 305th Single Engine Fighting Group, Luke Field, Arizona.
Mar 1944 to May 1944; Pilot Trainee, 338th Ftr Gp, Dale Mabry Field, Fla, and on to the European Theater of Operations.
May 1944 to Jun 1944; Pilot, 495th Ftr Gp, ETO.
Jun 1944 to Aug 1944; Fighting Pilot, 353d Ftr Bomb Gp, ETO. In Service 3 years, 2 months and 5 days.

Lieutenant Pinkerton was killed in action 7 August 1944, near Rennes, France.

Decorations and Awards ECORATIONS and AWARDS

PURPLE HEART (Posthumous).
AIR MEDAL with three Oak Leaf Clusters*
AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL.
AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL.
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL with three Bronze Service Stars** for participation in the Air Offensive Europe, Normandy and Northern France Campaigns,
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL.
AVIATION BADGE ‘Pilot’.

* 'For meritorious achievement in combat flights as P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot’