SHAW, William J. (b. 1921) | Oral History

SHAW, William J. (b. 1921)

Oral Histories

Businessman. His experiences as a PBJ (B-25) pilot in the Southwest Pacific Theater during World War II. Childhood and education; his joining the Navy V-5 Program at the University of the South, February, 1942; pre-flight training, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, July, 1942; primary flight training, Lambert Field, Saint Louis, Missouri, 1942; basic flight training, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, 1942-43; advanced flight training, NAS Pensacola, 1943; his decision to select multi-engine aircraft and transfer to the Marine Corps; operational training, Marine Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, 1943; transfer to Cherry Point, North Carolina, 1943-44, and assignment to VMB-433; crew formation and training with the PBJ at Peterfield Point, North Carolina, 1943-44; combat training at Marine Air Station, El Centro, California, 1944; departure for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, May, 1944; transfer to Green Island, July, 1944; first combat mission to Rabaul; description of mission procedures; transfer to Emirau, 1944; “night heckling” missions; rest and relaxation leaves in Australia; mission to Fambusso Bridge, New Ireland; support for the invasion of the Philippine Islands; reassignment to Quantico, Virginia, for training for the invasion of the Japanese home islands, May, 1945; separation from the service, 1945; his postwar business career.
Date of Interview: May 29, 2002

More Info