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FORD, Wilbur “Bill” H. (b. 1917)

Oral Histories

OH 1386

His experiences as a B-17 pilot in the European Theater during World War II. Induction into the Army, March, 1942, and basic training at Abilene, Texas; transfer to the Army Air Force, 1943; College Training Detachment, Cedar City, Utah, 1943; primary flight training, King City, California, 1943; basic flight training, Lemoore, California, 1943-44; advanced flight training, Marfa Army Air Field, Marfa, Texas, 1944; B-17 transition training, Hobbs, New Mexico, 1944; crew assignment, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1944; crew training, Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas, 1944; assignment to the 401st Bomb Group, Deenethorpe, England, 1944; enemy flak; comments about the highlights of his nine missions over Germany, April 4-20, 1945; battle damage to his plane; Dresden raid, April 17, 1945; return to the States and transition training in B-29s for transfer to the Pacific Theater.