DOCSLIB.ORG

Oh04075aud Bailey, George

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Oh04075aud Bailey, George George Bailey Oral History Interview Q: I thought that was a great story to add to the section on P-40s, because I want to have a section -- GB: That saved a lot of towers. Q: Yes. GB: Got them to rotating before they hit the ground and it saved a lot of towers. Even then, we ran out of towers. Q: Even with the cups on there, huh? GB: Oh, yes. We still -- Q: How did you make these cups? GB: Out of aluminum. Q: Oh, aluminum. GB: You know, you had a flat wheel-cover type thing on the outside of each wheel. Q: And so they were actually attached to the wheel cover? GB: That’s right. Attached to the wheel cover, and just made a little cup out of it, and -- actually, it was just a little bent piece of aluminum that caught the air. Q: Just like a little scoop. GB: Like a little scoop. Q: Or a vane, or something like that. GB: Yes. And it just got the wheel to rotate. 1 Q: Well, whose idea was that? GB: (Inaudible) I’m not real sure. It was either mine or a fellow by the name of Van Timmerman. I’m not sure which now. He and I put the first ones on. I know that. Q: Well, maybe we’ll just say that you guys coauthored that one. Maybe that’s the way to do it. GB: Yes. It worked real good. Q: Did all the squadrons use it or just yours? GB: No, I think all the squadrons had some of the, yes. The crew chiefs caught on good because we were all comingled, particularly at Rangoon and at [Wei Lin?], we had all three squadrons together at one time or another, you know? At least portions of each squadron. Q: I wonder if anybody’s got a picture of a P-40 that might show those on there. GB: I don’t know. I really don’t know. Q: I came across a lady the other day -- and I have not met her yet -- but, she’s got two boxes of pictures that have never before been seen, of the Flying Tigers. GB: Oh, is that right? Q: Yes. It’s Matt Kuykendall’s sister -- twin sister. GB: I didn’t know he had a twin sister. Q: Isn’t that something? 2 GB: Uh-huh. Kuykendall was killed flying the daggone P-31. Q: It was what? GB: Flying a daggone new aircraft -- we had three aircraft; a P-31, a C, I think, put out by Curtiss. Q: Oh, CW-21? GB: Yes, 21. CW-21. And we had three of them. Erik Shilling, he and -- what else? Q: Let me stop and think. It was Erik Shilling, because there were three of them. Lacy Mangleburg, who -- he survived because he later got killed when Pete Wright chopped up his car. GB: That’s right. Q: And the third one then was Matt Kuykendall, huh? GB: Was who? Q: The third one, you say, was Matt Kuykendall? GB: Yes, I think so. Pretty sure. Q: That could be. I don’t know off the top of my head. I can’t tell you -- GB: (Inaudible) ten seconds, I’ll find out. Q: OK. It is July 17, 1997, call to George Bailey. GB: OK. Erik Shilling’s biography here. Mangleburg, Merritt, and Shilling were the three guys flying those CW-21s. Q: Ken Merritt, you say? GB: Ken Merritt, Mangleburg, and Shilling. 3 Q: Oh, I see. So it wasn’t Kuykendall that was on there. GB: No, it wasn’t Kuykendall. Q: Well, you solved that for me. I’ve probably got it on that little roster thing that I have, too. But, did they stop using them once you guys got a new supply of tires? GB: Yes, they did. When the 23rd Fighter Group came in there, I don’t remember seeing any more of them. I don’t remember. When I went back over there on my second tour, I don’t remember seeing anybody using them. They were tried on some of the Century series fighters also, and you know, they even tried some electric motors on some of the Century series that were landing up above 100 miles an hour, you know. And they tried all kinds of things to get those tires to move. Q: You know, my little airplane that I fly has got an approach speed of 90 miles an hour -- well, actually it’s about 100 miles an hour, and it flares at 90 and touches down about 80. And of course, they’re just little old bitty 5 x 5 tires. And, boy, I mean, when they hit that ground even as light as I can, it just -- I’ll bet 25, 30 landings on hard surface and I’ve got to have new tires. GB: Yes. How many of those landings do you get on one attempt? 4 Q: (Laughs). I’m not answering that one. You’re right, sometimes I have landed them two or three times on the same approach. GB: Right. Q: That’s exactly right, and sometimes I’ll bounce and I’ll come up in the air and I’ve got to gun the throttle just to smooth the thing out, and I’ll come down a second time. You’re right. GB: You know, any pilot that’s got more than a half a dozen landings has had that experience of bouncing a time or two. Q: Well, yes. GB: No matter what he’s flying. I used to watch -- we had two sergeants flying the L-5 in China when I went back over there. They weren’t there with the Tigers; they were there with the 27th Fighter Group. And I used to watch them little L-5s, they’d come over the fence at 30 miles an hour, you know? Q: Yes, right. GB: And they’d bounce every now and then. So, you know, anything can bounce. If you do everything just right, it’s going to bounce a little bit. Q: Well, you know, the worst thing that you can ever bounce -- and I’ve done it, I have done it -- is a PT-19; one of these steer mounts. 5 GB: Oh, yes. Built-in ground loop, you bounce it much and you’re gone, huh? Q: That’s exactly right, and I have never ground-looped one of the things, but boy, they scare the hell out of me. GB: You can do it real easy though with that PT-19. And the AT-6. Have you flown the AT-6? Q: No, I’ve never flown that. GB: The AT-6, if you bounce it, you better be ready to correct in a hurry because that thing will wheel on you. Q: Oh, man. Well, the good thing about that Stearman was, even though it was so much slower than my airplane, like my airplane, you have to really stay ahead of it. If you have to think with your feet on those rudders, it’s too late. GB: That’s right. Same thing with the AT-6. Q: I’ll be damned. GB: It was a killer, really, but you know, it turned out an awful lot of good pilots. It put an awful lot of good ones in the grave, too. They killed a lot of pilots flying AT- 6s during the war, in training. Q: You know, P.J. was telling me about one of those, too. It was a BT -- what was that thing? A BT-13 or 15. I don’t remember what it was. I’d have to go back and look. I don’t know the airplane very well. 6 GB: A BUT-13 was a very similar aircraft to the AT-6, but it had non-retractable -- it had fixed landing gear on it, BUT-13 did. Q: Is that what it was? Well, maybe -- I’m not so sure -- I don’t remember what it was now, but he told me they only made a few of them, and boy, it was a wicked airplane. And I think the BUT-13 evolved from the BUT-10 or whatever it was, but that’s getting back a little ways. GB: Yes, that’s too far for me. Q: Yes, that’s getting back there a ways. I know a bunch of them wound up at Kelly Field and killed a bunch of pilots, and I guess they wound up, I don’t know, selling them to the Panamanians or something. I don’t know what the hell they did with them, but got rid of them. Anyway, well this is all really interesting. I’m going to write this up and I will send this to you, and -- so you can see what I’ve written here, and then you -- GB: OK, mighty fine. Q: Huh? GB: Mighty fine. That’s good. Q: And I’ll -- you can put in there whatever corrections or additions or whatever, and when we kind of get it all done, then I think it ought to go into the AVG site in the section where I want each of the ground guys to talk about 7 some interesting stories like this, and add to this thing, just how it was that you guys kept these darn airplanes flying, because it was a miracle. GB: I don’t know if anyone has told you or not, but we lost another member last week.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • ACE BIRTHDAYS JOIN the FRIENDS of the AMERICAN FIGHTER ACES MAY - JULY (Auxiliary of the American Fighter Aces Association)
    American Fighter Aces and Friends The Bulletin of the American Fighter Aces Association April 2018 | Volume 35, No 2 Dick Fleischer: Thunderbolt Over New Guinea Association President's Message Dear Aces, Friends, Survivors, and Honorees: Our Ace's Association was founded in 1960, recognizing the 1450 combat pilots that qualified as Aces for action in World War I, WW II. Korea and Vietnam. In individual combat they contributed to the security of our country in times of war. Since that day, membership in the Association has continued to inspire patriotism and set a high example for our youth in America. Our mission each year is to remind our public of the commitment the pilots had, to remain confident and courageous. It seemed to always be one on one or against the odds, playing the hand they were dealt. Betting it all. The Association's commitment transcends time and continues to be the direction we want to go. I have a large number of helpers in getting the Association's day's work done and I owe many a "Thank You" for their efforts. The Board of Directors officers give continually of their time on com- mittees and are joined by Friends and volunteers to participate in study groups. In order to continue our mission of the future as an educational organization a few changes will have to be made and will require help of some strong donors to get good results. I encourage our Friends of the AFAA to help us in advice, suggestions and recruited a larger membership for support.
    [Show full text]
  • Daedalus Flyer Spring & Summer 2017
    Daedalus Spring & Summer 2017 flyer New in this issue • Headquarters staff changes • New look for Flightline section • Convention 2017: Symposium Highlights • Aviation anecdotes...past, present and future CONTENTS Spring/Summer 2017, Vol. LVIII No.1 DEPARTMENTS FEATURES 04 06 Commander’s Perspective 2017 Convention--Symposium 05 08 Executive Director Daedalian Citation of Honor 10-11 09 Book Reviews Meet the Board of Trustee Members... 15-17 18 Awards Inspiration from Tex Hill & Les Leavoy 22 19 Reunions Unmanned? Not Exactly 25-39 21 Flightline Last Man Standing 44 New/Rejoining We Thank Our Sponsors Daedalians 45 Eagle Wing 46 In Memoriam 47 Flight Contacts THE ORDER OF DAEDALIANS was organized on 26 March 1934 by a representative group of American World War I pilots to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, the love of country, and the high ideals of sacrifice which place service to nation above personal safety or position. The Order is dedicated to: insuring that America will always be preeminent in air and space—the encourage- ment of flight safety—fostering an esprit de corps in the military air forces—promoting the adoption of military service as a career—and aiding deserving young individuals in specialized higher education through the establishment of scholarships. THE DAEDALIAN FOUNDATION was incorporated in 1959 as a non-profit organization to carry on activities in furtherance of the ideals and purposes of the Order. The Foundation publishes the Daedalus Flyer and sponsors the Daedalian Scholarship Program. The Foundation is a GuideStar Exchange member. The Scholarship Program recognizes scholars who indicate a desire to become military pilots and pursue a career in the military.
    [Show full text]
  • The All–American Airman
    John Alison shot down two—or perhaps three—enemy aircraft in his first aerial combat, and went on from there. The All–American Airman By Walter J. Boyne N late 1940, a delegation from Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek Iwas in the United States to buy airplanes for what would become the fabled American Volunteer Group, the Flying Tigers. A demonstration of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was laid on at Bolling Field in Washington for the Chinese visitors and their American advisor, Claire L. Chennault. The pilot for the demonstration was 2nd Lt. John R. Alison. As Chennault would later recall in his book, Way of a Fighter, Alison “got more out of that P-40 in his five-minute demonstration than anybody I ever saw before or after. ... “When he landed, they pointed at the P-40 and smiled, ‘We need 100 of these.’ ‘No,’ I said, pointing to Alison, ‘you need 100 of these.’ ” As always, Chennault was an excel- lent judge of people. Within a few years, Alison would be flying P-40s for Chennault in China—where he would shoot down two Japanese aircraft (a third was unconfirmed) in his first aerial com- bat. Later, along with his friend, Phil 52 AIR FORCE Magazine / March 2000 Standing (l–r) beside a Curtiss P-40 are Maj. John Alison, Maj. “Tex” Hill, Capt. “Ajax” Baumler, and Lt. Mack Mitchell. They were serving with the 23rd Fighter The All–American Group in China at the time, in an environment described as “the end of the line.” Airman AIR FORCE Magazine / March 2000 53 World War II fighters, it was in fact a fine airplane when flown so that its strengths could be maximized and its weaknesses minimized.
    [Show full text]
  • With the Tigers Over China, 1941-1942
    University of Kentucky UKnowledge Military History History 1999 With the Tigers over China, 1941-1942 Jerome Klinkowitz University of Northern Iowa Click here to let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Thanks to the University of Kentucky Libraries and the University Press of Kentucky, this book is freely available to current faculty, students, and staff at the University of Kentucky. Find other University of Kentucky Books at uknowledge.uky.edu/upk. For more information, please contact UKnowledge at [email protected]. Recommended Citation Klinkowitz, Jerome, "With the Tigers over China, 1941-1942" (1999). Military History. 17. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_military_history/17 With the Tigers over China — • — 1941-1942 With the Tigers over China 1941-1942 ]erome Klinkowitz THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OP KENTUCKY Publication of this volume was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Copyright © 1999 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine College, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Club Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 03 02 01 00 99 12 3 4 5 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Klinkowitz, Jerome. With the Tigers over China, 1941-1942 / Jerome Klinkowitz. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index.
    [Show full text]
  • Jim Hayes Chickamauga Civil War & Military Show
    JIM HAYES (Please Make Checks Payable To: Jim Hayes) Mailing Address: PO Box 12560 • James Island, SC 29422-2560 Phone: (843) 795-0732 • Website: www.hayesautographs.com LIST NO.: 315 JANUARY 2020 - FEBRUARY 2020 ORDERING: Order by mail or phone. Phone 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Eastern) Phone orders will be held 7 days for payment. Please list alternatives with mail orders. PAYMENT: $25.00 Minimum Order. Payment in full required prior to shipping. SC Residents Will Be Charged Their Appropriate County Sales Tax. GUARANTEE: We guarantee all material to be genuine. Any item has a 5-day return privilege for any reason. POSTAGE: $5.00 S-H for orders under $200.00, $7.50 S-H for orders over $200.00 within the US • $10.00 S-H for orders outside the US. ABBREVIATIONS: ALS: Autograph Letter Signed OCS: Official Card Signed ANS: Autograph Note Signed CS-I: Card Signed-Inscribed ADS: Autograph Document Signed NPS-I: Newspaper Picture Signed-Inscribed AMS: Autograph Manuscript Signed MPS-I: Magazine Picture Signed-Inscribed AQS: Autograph Quotation Signed FDCS: First Day Cover Signed TLS: Typed Letter Signed PC: Post Card WE: With Engraving *: Deceased DS: Document Signed BPP: Biographical Picture Page A Frank is an envelope signed for postage. A Cut or Clip is a Signature clipped from a letter, document, etc. We try to list any faults an item may have. This is but a small portion of our stock, let us know your interests. AUTOGRAPHS OF UNIQUE PERSONS BPP = Biographical Picture Page: J(acob) M. Howard, MI (VT) 1805-71.
    [Show full text]
  • P-40 WARHAWK Ki-43 OSCAR China 1944–45
    P-40 WARHAWK Ki-43 OSCAR China 1944–45 CARL MOLESWORTH © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com P-40 WARHAWK Ki-43 OSCAR China 1944–45 CARL MOLESWORTH © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com CONTENTS Introduction 4 Chronology 6 Design and Development 8 Technical Specifications 20 The Strategic Situation 31 The Combatants 38 Combat 47 Statistics and Analysis 70 Aftermath 74 Further Reading 78 Index 80 © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com INTRODUCTION In the annals of aerial warfare, no aircraft type has come to symbolize a campaign in which it fought as did the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk in China in 1941–45. Known the world over for the distinctive sharksmouth warpaint on their noses, P-40 fighters first saw combat in China with the legendary American Volunteer Group (AVG), and continued to fight while equipping squadrons of the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) throughout World War II. Just as ubiquitous as the P-40 in the skies over China during World War II was its most common Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) adversary, the Nakajima Ki-43, or Type 1 Hayabusa, codenamed “Oscar” by the Allies. Though never achieving the iconic status of the P-40, the Ki-43 nevertheless proved a worthy opponent whenever the aircraft met in combat. These two aircraft types were the products of vastly different, yet contemporary, philosophies of fighter design. The P-40 reflected the thinking of American war planners in the late 1930s. It was heavily armed, sturdy and reasonably fast at medium and low altitudes, with armor plate protection for the pilot and self-sealing fuel tanks.
    [Show full text]
  • September 2000 - Grand Master's Message
    September 2000 - Grand Master's Message What an Exciting Time To Be a Mason! We are beginning a new century and a new millennium. Every facet of the Masonic family is working to improve its public image. A new Masonic Alliance is in its infancy. Our vision and willingness to work will release the potential for the future of our order. What an exciting time to be a Mason! The Templary 2000 Crusade has been a tremendous success. The number of new Knights Templar far exceeded the goal. Many Commanderies have more candidates waiting to participate in the York Rite. At their request, I am extending the Crusade to the end of this year. We will have to order more pins and certificates. We want all new members and top-line signers to receive proper recognition. If you could not be present at the 61st Triennial Conclave in Nashville, Tennessee, you missed a great opportunity for good food, fellowship, and fun. There will never be another like this one! As they used to say on the radio: Tune in next month, "same time, same station." William Jackson Jones Grand Master, KCT, GCT September 2000 2 Knight Templar "The Magazine for York Rite Masons - and Others, too" SEPTEMBER: Congratulations to the officers of the Grand Encampment for the triennium 2000-2003; they are listed on page 5. Grand Master William Jackson Jones presents his first message as the head of Templary on page 2. It's time to gear up for the 33rd Annual Voluntary Campaign for the Knights Templar Eye Foundation; see a number of letters from grateful Eye Foundation recipients starting on page 6 for the inspiration to begin.
    [Show full text]
  • Salsa2bills 1..2
    By:AAHilderbran H.R.ANo.A1616 RESOLUTION 1 WHEREAS, Retired Brigadier General David L. Hill of San 2 Antonio has received the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic 3 action during World War II; and 4 WHEREAS, General Hill received this prestigious award for the 5 exceptional bravery he demonstrated on October 25, 1942, when he 6 led nine P-40 Warhawks of the 23rd Fighter Group as escort for 12 7 B-24 bombers in a raid against the Japanese in Hong Kong; suffering 8 with malaria, he successfully guided his squadron in driving off 9 the enemy, while suffering little damage; and 10 WHEREAS, Born in Korea on July 13, 1915, Tex Hill moved with 11 his family to San Antonio in 1921; he attended military schools as a 12 young man, and graduated from the San Antonio Academy in 1928 and 13 the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1934; he also 14 attended Texas A&M University and Austin College, and subsequently 15 decided to pursue a career in military aviation; and 16 WHEREAS, Beginning his career as a pilot for the U.S. Navy 17 during World War II, General Hill soon joined the American 18 Volunteer Group, the original Flying Tigers, a group initially 19 charged with defending the Burma Road from the threat of Japanese 20 aircraft; after the group was deactivated in July 1942, this 21 notable airman became a major in command of the 75th Fighter 22 Squadron, part of the 23rd Fighter Group, leading one difficult 23 mission after another, including raids on China, Hong Kong, and 24 Formosa; he left active duty in 1946, then was soon
    [Show full text]
  • David L. “Tex” Hill
    The American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews The Museum of Flight Seattle, Washington David L. “Tex” Hill Interviewed by: Eugene A. Valencia Interview Date: circa 1960s 2 Abstract: In this brief oral history, fighter ace David L. “Tex” Hill is interviewed about his military service with the United States Armed Forces during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time with the American Volunteer Group in China and his time with the 412th Fighter Group, the first American unit to fly jets. Topics discussed include aerial combat tactics, a combat mission over Hengyang, and Hill’s flight in a captured Japanese “Zeke” fighter plane. The interview is conducted by Eugene A. Valencia during an unspecified event, likely a Naval Aviators’ reunion. During the interview, Hill refers to Valencia as “Henry.” Biography: The son of Presbyterian missionaries, David L. “Tex” Hill was born on July 13, 1915 in Kwangju, Korea. He joined the United States Navy in 1938 but resigned his commission in 1941 to join the American Volunteer Group, also known as the Flying Tigers. After the Flying Tigers disbanded in July 1942, Hill continued to serve in China with the group’s successor, the 23rd Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces. In 1944, he took command of the 412th Fighter Group, the first American unit to fly jets. Hill left the Army Air Forces after World War II and joined the Texas Air National Guard, which he served with during the Korean War. He later joined the Air Force Reserve and retired as a brigadier general in 1968.
    [Show full text]
  • Navigator the Newsletter of Alamo Squadron the San Antonio Chapter of the International Plastic Modelers’ Society a Registered 501C-7
    The Navigator The Newsletter of Alamo Squadron The San Antonio chapter of the International Plastic Modelers’ Society A registered 501c-7 August 2019 IPMS/USA Chapter of the Year: 1999 & 2005 IPMS/USA Regional Chapter of the Year: 2016 IPMS/USA Regional Newsletter of the Year 2017 ForFor aa ChangeChange ofof Pace:Pace: Last of the Doolittle Raiders HelpHelp RestoreRestore aa Warbird!Warbird! Lee Forbes Uses His Modeling Research To Help “White 108” Get Back to the Skies Inside This Issue: • Kit of the Month • Packing for the Nats • Weekend with Andrea • HAMS Show Report The Navigator—August 2019 1 President’s Letter by Craig Gregory IPMS# 49320 President’s Letter: August 2019 I got onto EBay and ordered an Arduino, LEDs, resist- What kind of a modeler are you? ers and a few other odds and ends. Within a few hours of receiving all the parts I had a flashing LED. But have given a lot of thought to how (in my mind) that didn’t satisfy my engineering mind. I wanted I struggle to put together a quality model build. LEDs flashing at different rate, LEDs that did not I am envious of how immaculate other builder’s flash and the ability to control the LED’s brightness. I projects are compared to my work and their After about 3 weeks of work I had an Arduino pro- productivity when I barely complete a few models a grammable control that takes parameters for a data file year. Why do I enjoy this hobby so much if I am al- to drive various “channels” of LEDs.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring 2018 Flyer
    Daedalus Spring 2018 flyer First to fly in time of war The premier fraternity of military aviators CONTENTS Spring 2018, Vol. LIV No. 1 Departments Feature Articles 05 08 Reunions Mission Impossible 06 11 Commander’s Perspective MoH Recipient Tom Hudner 07 12 Executive Director Blue Suits, Blue Water 10 15 New/Rejoining Daedalians Playtime 16 17 Flying a Double Book Reviews 21-23 19 Rescued from the Jungle Awards 24 44 In Memoriam When Everything Went Wrong 27-43 50 Flightline Best Flying in the World 48-49 Eagle Wing 51 Flight Contacts THE ORDER OF DAEDALIANS was organized on Mar. 26, 1934, by a representative group of American World War I pilots to perpetuate the spirit of patrio- tism, the love of country, and the high ideals of sacrifice which place service to nation above personal safety or position. The Order is dedicated to: insuring that America will always be preeminent in air and space—the encouragement of flight safety—fostering an esprit de corps in the military air forces—promoting the adoption of military service as a career—and aiding deserving young individuals in specialized higher education through the establishment of scholarships. THE DAEDALIAN FOUNDATION was incorporated in 1959 as a non-profit organization to carry on activities in furtherance of the ideals and purposes of the Order. The Foundation publishes the Daedalus Flyer and sponsors the Daedalian Scholarship Program. The Foundation is a GuideStar Exchange member. The Scholarship Program recognizes scholars who indicate a desire to become military pilots and pursue a career in the military.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles H. Older (Part 2 of 2)
    The American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews The Museum of Flight Seattle, Washington Charles H. Older (Part 2 of 2) Interviewed by: Eugene A. Valencia Interview Date: circa 1960s 2 Abstract: In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Charles H. Older is interviewed about his military service during World War II. In part two, he continues to describe his experiences as a fighter pilot with the American Volunteer Group and the United States Army Air Forces in the China- India-Burma Theater. Topics discussed include his aerial victories and notable encounters with Japanese forces during his combat tours. He also touches on his postwar career as a lawyer and his service in the Air Force Reserve. The interview is conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia. Biography: Charles H. Older was born on September 29, 1917 in Hanford, California. He joined the United States Marine Corps as an Aviation Cadet and completed his flight training in 1940. Initially assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 1 (VMF-1), Older opted to resign his commission in order to join the American Volunteer Group, then forming in Burma. He served with the AVG until the group disbanded in July 1942, after which he returned to the U.S. and joined the Army Air Forces. For his second combat tour, Older returned to China and served as group operations officer and deputy commander of the 23rd Fighter Group. After the end of World War II, Older joined the Air Force Reserve and went on to serve with the 452nd Bomb Wing during the Korean War.
    [Show full text]