[2] The 348th Fighter Group, which was equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolts, undertook training at the East Coast of the United States, before being assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater in May 1943.

The unit soon started flying P-47s in combat operations and on September 13, 1943, Banks scored his first aerial victory, when he shot down a Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar".

In early November 1944, the 348th FG moved to Tacloban Field in Leyte, where they began flying long-range bomber escorts for B-24 Liberators attacking Japanese airfields and other industrial targets.

In June 1945, he was made commander of the 348th FG and the unit moved to airfield at Ie Shima in Okinawa, where they began flying long-range missions over the Japanese Home Islands.

[1] On January 15, 1961, while serving as the deputy commander of the Boston Air Defense Sector at Stewart Air Force Base in New York, Texas Tower 4, a general surveillance radar station, located 63 miles (101 km) south-southeast off the coast of Long Island, New York in 185 feet (56 m) of water, was destroyed by a winter storm, resulting in the deaths of all twenty-eight airmen and civilian contractors who were manning the station.

Following his plan of preceding a main body of fighters to gain information on the deployment of enemy opposition, Major Banks led an element of two of a total force of sixty-six P-47 type aircraft.

After apprising his formation of the strength and deployment of Japanese aircraft in the area, he joined in the ensuing battle and brought down another fighter which was trying to escape.

The outstanding leadership and gallantry displayed by Major Banks reflect the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.