OH 1385 | Oral History

OH 1385

His experiences as a P-51 pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Decision to enlist, February, 1943; basic training, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, 1943; college preparatory courses, Michigan State College, East Lansing, 1943; pre-flight training, Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas, 1943; primary flight training, Vernon, Texas, 1943; basic flight training, Enid, Oklahoma, 1943-44; single-engine advanced training, Foster Field, Victoria, Texas, 1944; gunnery and tactics schooling, Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1944; advanced fighter pilot training, Fort Sumner, New Mexico, 1944-45; assignment to Nadzab, New Guinea, 1945; transition to the P-51; ground-support missions for Australian troops; transfer to the 39th Fighter Squadron at Clark Field, Luzon, 1945; ground-support missions in the Philippines; transfer to Okinawa, July, 1945; bomber escort missions over Japan; fighter sweeps over the Japanese home islands; missions to China; celebrations following VJ-Day; transfer to the 159th Liaison Squadron, 3rd Air Commando Group; occupation of Japan and visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki; relations with Japanese civilians; separation from the military, May, 1946, and adjustments to civilian life.

About this Oral History

Physical Description 67 pp.
Terms of Use Open
Interviewer(s) Ronald E. Marcello
Date of Interview October 23, 2000

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