The Surly Bonds of Earth
A Pilots Rememberances of a World at War
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I was a dreamer who longed to serve his country at a crisis moment when the final actions of a deadly conflict imposed by a powerful enemy, was uncertain. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, I was raised in Florida where my father, a preacher, ministered on the sawdust Chataqua Trail. Later we moved to South Carolina and Mississippi where my father pastored various churches. I was sent to a denominational boarding school in North Carolina where I graduated in 1942. Since early childhood my only ambition was to be a pilot and I eagerly followed the exploits of Cobber Kain, Douglas Bader and the Eagle Squadron in Europe and fantasized of joining Ensign Gay and Jimmy Doolittle in Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. I joined the Army Air Corps in July 1942, won my wings, and was sent to a combat squadron in England where I flew 65 bombing missions. I was out of the service for a short period after the war and was recalled to active duty during the Korean action. B-29 s and the new jet B-47 assignments at various Strategic Air Command bases mingled with various staff assignments including tow tours in Europe, and a tour in Southeast Asia rounded out almost thirty-seven years of service. After retirement I went to graduate school for seven years and earned a doctorate in clinical psychology which I practiced until very recently. I currently reside in Florida with my wife of fifty-three years.
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About the Book
The entire world was aflame in a bitter war for survival. Europe had been struggling for its very existence for some time, and there were clouds of war drifting inexorably toward America. A sneak surprise attack on Pearl Harbor galvanized Americans to action. Patriotic fever reigned supreme and all citizens readily answered the nation’s call to service. One youngster, still a senior in high school, waited impatiently to become old enough to put on a uniform and join the millions who had responded to their country’s call. To become a pilot and join the ranks of Colin Kelly, The Flying Tigers, The Memphis Belle, Major Bong and others was a 24/7 dream and fantasy. I was that dreamer. This is an account of one young pilot’s participation in that conflict. This true historical account commences with childhood fantasies about becoming a pilot, and the sometimes-clumsy effort to joint the Army as an aviation cadet. Once accepted for training there was a year of intense training before joining a wartime unit with 65 combat missions over France and Germany. All the dangers, frustrations and emotions from almost daily brushes with death, as reported in diary entries and letters home, are recorded in this gripping story from World War II.
About the Author
I was a dreamer who longed to serve his country at a crisis moment when the final actions of a deadly conflict imposed by a powerful enemy were uncertain. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, I was raised in Florida where my father, a preacher, ministered on the sawdust Chataqua Trail. Later we moved to South Carolina and Mississippi where my father pastored various churches. I was sent to a denominational boarding school in North Carolina where I graduated in 1942. Since early childhood, my only ambition was to be a pilot and I eagerly followed the exploits of Cobber Kain, Douglas Bader and the Eagle Squadron in Europe and fantasized of joining Ensign Gay and Jimmy Doolittle in Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. I joined the Army Air Corps in July 1942, won my wings, and was sent to a combat squadron in England where I flew 65 bombing missions. I was out of the service for a short period after the war and was recalled to active duty during the Korean action. B-29’s and the new jet B-47 assignments at various Strategic Air Command bases mingled with various staff assignments including tow tours in Europe, and a tour in Southeast Asia rounded out almost thirty-seven years of service. After retirement, I went to graduate school for seven years and earned a doctorate in clinical psychology which I practiced until very recently. I currently reside in Florida with my wife of fifty-three years.