SPILLMAN, Pat Y. (b. 1924) | Oral History

SPILLMAN, Pat Y. (b. 1924)

Oral Histories

Architect. His experiences as a B-17 bombardier in the European Theater during World War II. Enlistment into the Aviation Cadet Program, February, 1943; basic training, Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, 1943; Aviation Cadet Classification Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 1943; pre-flight training, Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, 1943; flexible gunnery school, Eagle Pass, Texas, 1943; bombardier school, Big Spring, Texas, 1943-44; aircrew assembly, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1944; B-17 operational training, Alexandria, Louisiana, 1944; transit from Kearney, Nebraska, to England, 1944; V-1 sightings; assignment to the 93rd Bomb Group; procedures for a typical bombing mission, particularly the bombardier's role; comments about flak; bombing under poor weather conditions; comments about various missions; his elevation to squadron lead bombardier; rest and relaxation after missions; the bombing of German submarine pens and the use of "Disney Bombs"; raid to Nürnberg, October 3, 1944; end of the war and his mustering out of the service, October 1, 1945.
Date of Interview: September 13, 1999

More Info