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Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association In
Memoriam...
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The Following Information about John was sent by Gary Curtis My Aviation Experiences from 1941 to 1993 I enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps at Ft. Douglas- Salt Lake City, Utah. In January 1941 was assigned to the 7th Bomb Group still at Salt Lake City, this was a heavy bomb group flying B-17's and B-18's soon became a "Wing Wiper". After several months of this and alternating as a "H.P." I became very proficient at both hence I was sent off to detached service for a six month session at Air Mechanic School, Chanute Field, Illinois. Graduated December 6, 1941. The next day December 7, 1941 while the 7th Bomb Group was landing at Hickham Field the Japanese Air Attack took place at Pearl Harbor, because of this I was re-assigned to the 28th composite group at Elmendorf Alaska. This group consisted of one P-40 Squadron and one Martin B-26A Squadron. I became a Crew Chief and Top Turret operator on B-26's In May of 1942, I was selected to go to Flight Training in the Flying Sergeants Program at Santa Ana, California. Took primary flight training at Ryan Aeronautical at Hemet, California flying PT-22's. Took basic Flight Training at Minter Field, Bakersfield, California flying BT-13's Had advanced Flight Training at Roswell New Mexico, flying AT-9's And AT-17's, Graduated at Roswell in the class of 42-K in November 1942. The flying Sergeants Program was disbanded by the Air Corps in early November of 1942 and all the students of the class of 42-K were graduated as Flight Officers and assigned M. O. S. (Military Occupational Specialty) numbers of "1092." This classification meant you will be a 4 engine aircraft pilot probably for the duration. After Flight Training I was qualified on the B-24 and assigned to 5th Air Force, 90th Bomb Group flying over 250 hours in combat out of Northern Australia and New Guinea. After a tour in Southwest Pacific was sent to Galveston Texas for Flight Instructor's School flying B-17's. The next two years were spent flying and instructing on B-17's and B-24's some B-29's at Pueblo Colorado and Boise, Idaho. Separated for the service in July 1945 on the point system, I took a job flying co-pilot on DC-3's for Western Airline, for about 1 year, was starving to death on $160.00 a Month. Went back in the U.S. Air force, flying C-54's on the Berlin Airlift for a couple of years. Hired with the Flying Tiger Line in December 1950 in Denver Colorado. Flying C-46's, DC-4's, DC-6's and the Super Constellation. Was Furloughed by F.T.L. in 1959 and took a one year leave of absence. Was hire by (ONA) Overseas National Airline flying DC-7's on the MAC contract for the Pacific Operation Returned to F.T.L. in 1960 flying CL-44's, DC-8's and B-747's until retirement which was March 31st 1980. I was fully retired until Oct. 10th 1980 at which time I was rehired by FTL as Professional Simulator Instructor. Worked in Flight Training for FTL till time of merger with Federal Express, and them worked for them as Professional Simulator Instructor from 8/7/89 to retirement August 31, 1993. Sincerely
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