Military - US Army Air Corp
Copies of my book "Stories From My Younger Days" is available for $10.00  https://www.createspace.com/3343817  or contact Larry 541-258-5886

It is a memoir of my growing up in Lebanon, Oregon and a detailed story of my World War II service.

On July 5, 1944 I enlisted in the Air Corp as a Flying Cadet.  Although I had been up in an airplane only once before for a 10 minute ride over Albany, Oregon when I was 12.  I was intensely interested in flying so when Uncle Sam offered to teach me I jumped at the chance.

I was called to duty on January 1, 1943 and reported to the Santa Anna Air Base, in Santa Ana, CA. (site of Disneyland) for Preflight training.  Eight weeks later I moved to King City, CA for primary Flight Training.  After 10 weeks and 60 hours of instruction in a Ryan TP=22 primary trainer I reported to the Merced CA Air Corp Base for another 60 hours training in a BT-13 Vultee Basic Trainer.  On completing this course I was assigned to the twin engine advanced school for twin engine training.  Flying the AT-9 twin engine trainer for flight training, The AT-6 for gunnery practice and the P-38 fighter which was my designated airplane for the war.

On November 1, 1943 I graduated from Flight school and received my Air Corp Wings at Williams Army Air Corp Base in Williams, AZ (suburb of Phoenix).

I then reported to Ontario, CA Fighter training Base or Fighter Instruction.  After that I was sent to Ellensburg, WA for further fighter training.  It was when we reported to Ellensburg, WA we were notified that we had been reassigned to Photo-reconnaissance Training at Will Rogers Field in Oklahoma City, OK. 

Upon completion of this course I was sent overseas as a replacement pilot to the 34th Photo-Recon Squadron based at Chalgrove, England.  Arriving there on 2 June 1944.  Flying F-5 Photo planes (the picture taking version of the P-38) I flew 63 missions over France, Germany and Belgiam. 

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