My Army Air Corps Cadet training began July 8, 1943 and was completed September 30, 1944. My pay during this period was $21 a month plus $75 in the months involving four hours of flight time. During this fourteen month period the fear of "washing out" of the program was a constant concern. That pressure was still on the day before graduation when I had to drop 15 practice bombs to meet the 200 release requirement. Making this day especially tough was I had a Captain check rider on the last flight.
Our Bombardier class 44-13 graduated 227 cadets. We were all seated in the auditorium not knowing if our rank would be 2nd Lt. or Flight Officer. The pressure was still on. We didn't know until they introduced us using the rank. The pressure subsided the minute they announced 2nd Lt. Billy L. Runnels and presented my Graduation Certificate, wings and commission. The final count was 137 2nd Lt. and 90 Flight Officers.
I experienced little or no pressure for the balance of my training including mission flights. I look back at that time in life and wonder how in the world did I do it.
Our Bombardier class 44-13 graduated 227 cadets. We were all seated in the auditorium not knowing if our rank would be 2nd Lt. or Flight Officer. The pressure was still on. We didn't know until they introduced us using the rank. The pressure subsided the minute they announced 2nd Lt. Billy L. Runnels and presented my Graduation Certificate, wings and commission. The final count was 137 2nd Lt. and 90 Flight Officers.
I experienced little or no pressure for the balance of my training including mission flights. I look back at that time in life and wonder how in the world did I do it.
