Facts on the history of Keesler Air Force Base. See link below:
http://www.keesler.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4881
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| This picture was taken in 1944 so probably the way he saw it. |
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| Another 1944 picture from Keesler Field |
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| This had to be quite a sight for a midwestern guy, seeing this for the first time! |
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| One item he does not want to see again soon! |
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| Page 1 of a Flight Log book of my Grandfather's. These are the only entries in the book so not sure how long he continued his flying lessons. |
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| Page 2 of my Grandfather's Flight Log Book. |
It seems at this point, he is tired, lonely and frustrated. Lots of mental and physical tests going on. I am sure he is not alone and probably speaks for the majority of service men going through this.
Thanks for posting all the pictures and details... always great to have the bonus explanations and pics! The most interesting part of this letter that had me going back and re-reading was his explanation on how gunners were chosen... they were already enlisted and had no way of backing out. That's something entirely new to me, and probably not exactly well known.
ReplyDeleteYes, I saw that and didn't really know how to comment on it. Sounds like it is not a job anybody wants. If you don't do well on the mental test you probably end up being a gunner like my uncle. Like he said, he was technically still a senior in high school (or would have been) if he did not enlist right away at 18. The older men with any college experience had the advantage. But as we know, he persevered, did his duties and finished his tour honorably.
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