Dads Biography Page

Dad was born on January 10, 1921 in Worcester, Mass. After finishing High School his career interest was to become an aeronautical engineer. To this end he began to take private pilot lesson, and enrolled at the University of Michigan. After about 2 years Dad joined the Army Air Force.

During 1943, Dad took his Primary Flight Training at Bennettsville South Carolina, his Basic Flight Training at Bush Field, Georgia, and his Advanced Flight Training at Moody Field, Georgia. Dad received his wings on January 7, 1944 and was assigned as a Twin Engine Aircraft Instructor,with the Southeast Training Command. In April 1944 Dad was reassigned to the 2nd Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group at Bowman Field, Kentucky. Here he began training for overseas deployment. On May 8, 1944 he received orders to report to Morrison Field, Florida, for immediate deployment overseas, destination unknown.

Upon arrival in the CBI Theater, he was assigned to the 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 10th Combat Cargo Squadron. While in the CBI Theater Dad initially flew missions to relieve the Japanese siege of the Imphal Valley. After that he flew missions delivering men and material to where ever it was needed. When Dad left the CBI in late January 1945, he had amassed 796 combat hours of flying and and was given credit for 196 combat missions. During this time, he earned the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Cluster and a Battle Star.

After separation from the U.S.A.A.F., Dad went back to the University of Michigan and received his degree as an Aeronautical Engineer. Dad married in 1947, and moved to New Jersey to begin working for the Curtis Wright Corporation. Dad later took a position with the Federal Government evaluating military equipment at Pictanny Arsenal in NJ.

As far as I can tell he never flew again after being discharged. He never talked about his experiences during his time in the CBI Theater. Most of what I now know of his military career come from meeting his Squadron mates and from the papers he left me.

Dad passed away in February 1983.

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I am looking for former members of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 1st, Combat Cargo Group, 4th Combat Cargo Group. In fact anyone who flew over the Hump during WW II, or flew any Combat Cargo Missions at any time (Berlin Air-Lift, Korea, etc.)

Please e-mail comment, suggestions, corrections,etc to: bill@comcar.org

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