Pilot
He reported for active duty in Dallas, Texas on 7 December 1942, exactly one year after the Pearl Harbor disaster.
Although he did not have a college degree, his previous military service at that time consisted of 4 years in the United States Navy and 5 years in the Texas National Guard, with service in the Civil Air Patrol and a private pilot license. That experience would prove to be very valuable in the coming years.
At that point, his salary dropped to $80.00 per month while in the Cadet Training program. Once again, money became a problem.
Pre-flight training
Santa Ana, California
He traveled by train from Dallas to Santa Ana, California, where he was assigned to Pre-Flight training at Santa Ana Army Air Base.
He was appointed as Cadet Captain over his class, being responsible for 240 cadets. His previous military experience was already being utilized.
Basic Training Class. Roy, front row, 4th from left.
1943 Basic Training. Marana Arizona.
Primary Flight Training School
Thunderbird Army Air Field
Phoenix, Arizona
After completing Pre-Flight training, he was assigned to the Primary Flight Training School at Thunderbird Army Air Field, Scottsdale (Phoenix), Arizona. He is part of Class 43-I.
There he received his first official flight training in military airplanes. The airplane utilized in this phase was the Stearman PT-13 Kaydet bi-plane.
He soloed the PT-13 on 1 April 43.
His flight instructor in Primary Flight Training was a RAF pilot.
Primary Training. Roy in flight gear.
Primary Training. Roy (1st from left) Flight instructor was a RAF pilot.
Stearman PT-13 Kaydet bi-plane
Mae was able to leave Richard and Victor with grandparents and spend a couple of weeks with Roy at Thunderbird in Phoenix.
Basic Flight Training School
Marana Army Air Field
Phoenix, Arizona
He passed his final Army flight check ride on 3 May 1943 and completed Primary Flight Training School at Thunderbird on 20 May 1943. Total flight time in the PT-13 is 65:00 hours.
On 20 May 1943, he is assigned to Marana Army Air Field in Tucson, Arizona for Basic Flight Training School. There, he advanced his flying skills using the Vultee BT-13 Valiant. On 26 July 1943 he completes Basic Flight training with 79:12 hours in the BT-13.
Advanced Flight Training School
Douglas Army Air Field
Douglas, Arizona
On 26 July 1943, he is assigned to Advanced Flight Training School at Douglas Army Air Field, Douglas, Arizona, where he is trained in multi-engine flying.
His aircraft for training are the Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator and the Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan.
Total flight time here is 79:12 hours.
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator
Graduation
Advanced Flight Training School
On 1 October 1943, Roy completes Advanced Flight Training School and graduates with Class 43-I, Squadron 2.
At the graduation ceremony, he is awarded his 2nd Lieutenants comission and his wings as a flying officer in the United States Army Air Force.
Mae is there with family to pin his wings on him.
Commission
After completing Advanced training and receiving his commission, he is assigned to 4-Engine Bomber Transition Training at Hobbs, New Mexico as a Student Officer (Code 2700). Here, he is training in the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
At this point, Mae, Richard and Victor are with him.
4-Engine Bomber Flight Training
Hobbs, New Mexico
Graduated 4-Engine Bomber flight training as Class 43-4-I. Qualified as (Code 1024), 4-Engine Bomber (B-17).
Total time at this point is 325:35 hours flight time.
Stearman PT-13 Kadet bi-plane
Beechcraft AT-7 (Advanced Training Plane)
Beechcraft AT-11 (over West Texas prairies)
BT-13 Valiant
Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
