| Description | 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. |
