Class 1945-C – World War II Flight Training Museum and the Douglas 63rd Preservation Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
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Cadets > Class 1945-C
(Scheduled to graduate from Advanced as officers in May 1945)
Click link below to see a photo of:
Squadron 1, Class of 1945-C
Squadron 2, Class of 1945-C
Squadron 5, Class of 1945-C
Ackermann, Raymond H.
From what is probably his obituary in the Lincoln Journal Star: Web Edition Articles (NE) - Friday, June 4, 2010: "Burial will be in the Sutton Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Argonne Post #61, Sutton."
of Sutton, Neb
Died June 2, 2010, age 88, in Henderson, NE.
Adams, Carl H.
He had basic at Gunter Field, Montgomery, Alabama
Adams, Wallace Eugene
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier, AL as F.O. T-69793.
Rosalia Adams, wife.
Of Jenkintown, PA
Almes, Robert Marlin
Michael Sullivan was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter in AT-6’s. He graduated from Napier Field, S/N: O-842657. He served WWII in the U.S.A. He flew P-51’s, F-86’s, P-102’s, P-104’s and B-25’s. After 24 years he retired as a LTC. Then flew some charter for Piper Aircraft in Kansas City, MO.
Helen Almes, wife
Of Dallas Texas
Ansley, Walter Steele
Graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69794
St Louis, Miss.
b. Jul. 11, 1922 d. Jan. 14, 2005 per
FindAGrave
Austin, Eual Jasper
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL. Graduated Napier, AL. S/N: O-842658.
From his obituary [Register-News (Mount Vernon, IL) - Monday, October 12, 2009]: "He retired from the United States Air Force after 26 years as a lieutenant colonel. He received his bachelor's degree from California State University in Sacramento."
of Elk Grove, Calif
Born in Wayne County on Dec. 21, 1920.
Married his wife Ingeborg in Berlin, Germany, on July 1, 1954.
Died Oct. 8, 2009, in South Sacramento, Calif.
Baird, Alan G.
He had Basic at Macon, GA and Advanced at Turner Field, GA. He washed out 9 days prior to graduation. He became a gunner.
Marie Baird, wife
Of St. Cloud, FL
Barnwell, William A.
Tom Stubbs was his Instructor. He had Basic at Macon and graduated from Turner Field, GA. He flew B-25's in the 5th Air Force. Then he flew jets in Korea. He retired as a Captain in 1965.
Dearborn, Mich
Beiderwell, Lloyd A.
Born: Apr. 26, 1917, Gage, Oklahoma. Died Feb. 7, 2002, Visalia, California. See
FindaGrave
Benzenberg, Kay E. (middle name probably Edward, per census)
Enlisted 21 Sep 1943. On Oct. 16, 1944, he had a take-off accident in a PT-17 ( 42-16707) in Douglas.
Released from service 23 Feb 1946, per Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line].
Probably born 1921 in New York, per 1940 census. Was living in Teaneck Township, Bergen, NJ in 1940.
Berthiaume, Edward J. Jr.
On Feb 15, 1945, while at advanced training, he was involved in a landing accident in a AT-6 (42-85488) at Cochran Field, Macon, Ga.
Besett, Bob
He was a Student Officer (1st Lt.) at Douglas. He graduated from Napier. S/N: O-674112. He may have seen service in bombers in Europe.
Blum, Alexander David
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Fld, AL S/N: T-69799.
Ansonio, CT
Brandt, Charles Masimer
Charles Lamb was his instructor. He graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842660. After the War he was an Air traffic Controller at Newark, N.J.
1st Lt.
Jeradine Brandt, wife
Of New Cumberland PA.
Brott, Elmer R.
Joe Cotton and Walt Kuehner were his Instructors. He was in the last class and had a lot of delay. He was discharged Feb. 1, 1946 as a Private.
June Brott, wife
Of Clearwater, Fla.
Brown, Theodore Graham Jr.
He graduated Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842662
Carroll, Philip David
Graduated Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69805.
From his obituary [Star Democrat, The (Easton, MD) - Thursday, May 18, 2006]: "He served our country with the U.S. Air Force for 26 years."
Born Oct. 14, 1925, in Easton, MD
Died May 16, 2006, in Hurlock, MD
Cobb, Les
He graduated and was a multi-engine Flight Instructor.
Cole, Robert Stanley
Graduated Napier Field, AL S/N: O-842666. Roommate of Crowl. He went into Single Engine.
From his obituary [Chicago Tribune (IL) - Sunday, May 11, 2008]: "was a resident of Park Ridge, Illinois for over 25 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force. He retired in 1984 as an Advertising Executive. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Georganne G. Cole... ."
Oak Park, IL
Died May 8, 2008, Age 85.
Craig, Joseph Gordon
Frank Hoffstatter was his instructor. Graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69812.
Freeport, NY
Crowl, William Thomas
Earl Hansel was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter Fld, AL. and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842670. The war was soon over, he stayed in the Reserve and made Capt.
Annie Jean Crowl, wife
Of Talent, Oregon
Cunningham, Robert Lyman
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL. and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N:T-69813.
Donalds, John Eustace, II
His inclusion on this list is based on an accident report. On Oct. 28, 1944, he had a forced landing due to engine failure in a PT-17 (42-16589) 6 miles northeast of Douglas, GA.
According to The Miami News (Miami, Florida), 18 Aug 1946, Page 41, he attended high school in St. Croix Falls, WI and college at U. of Wisconsin in Madison. He was a 2nd LT during the War. He intends to go to U. of Minnesota for his senior year and complete his course in chemical engineering.
2nd LT
Born 17 Feb 1925, died 4 Mar 2010.
The marriage announcement in the paper says he is going to marry Amanda Townley Perry in April 1946.
Elliot, William Prentice Jr.
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL. Graduated Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842675. His obituary says he was a veteran of WWII and Korea and retired as a Major.
Born 4 Sep 1923 Leola, Arkansas.
Died 25 May 2007.
Ferris, Edward Arnold
He had Basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69917. He continued to fly for pleasure until 1970.
Florio, Mario Carmel
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69818. Roommate of Crowl, went into Single Engine.
New York City
Fulton, Harold Glen
Graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69819
Indianapolis Indiana
Goodfellow, Robert Gusav
Charles Haaf was his instructor at Douglas. He had Basic at Gunter Fld, AL and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842678 flying AT-6’s. The war ended not long after he graduated and he was discharged while at Brooks Field, TX.
Dorothy Goodfellow, wife
Of Springfield, Ohio
Guadagnino, Samuel L.
He washed out at Douglas. Sam kept a private pilot license and a Piper Archer airplane until late in life.
Betty Guadagnino, wife.
Of Webster, N.Y
Haitch, Richard W.
Student Officer: 2nd Lt.
Hale, Nathan Cecil
Graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842861.
Born 28 Sep 1925 Bluff City Virginia.
Death 2 Apr 1999.
Hanisee, Herbert R.
He became a navigator. Click
here for his picture with his crew.
Of Vicksburg, Miss.
1919-1986
Helgeson, Kurtis Raymond
Kurtis graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69823. He was checked out on P-51's and P-40's and was based at Brooks Field, TX for a while.
Verna Helgeson, wife
Of Lake Mills, Iowa
Hellman, Abraham
Student Officer: 1st Lt.
Hill, Ernest John
Earl Hester was his instructor. He graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/n: S/N: O-842688 and served in the U.S. and was discharged in 1945. He was then in the Reserve and left them as a 1st Lt.
Uvana Hill, wife
Of Earlville, IL.
Hill, Robert E.
Student Officer: 1st Lt.
From what is probably his obituary [Providence Journal (RI) - Friday, December 14, 2007]: "In 1950, he received a B.S. in Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. During WWII, he served as an officer in the Army Air Corps. He was a member of the RISD faculty and practiced architecture for many years."
Born in Providence on June 7, 1918
Died December 5, 2007
Ingham, Richard S.
Student Officer: 1st Lt.
From what is probably his obituary [Modesto Bee, The (CA) - Saturday, August 24, 2002]: "Richard Stephen Ingham, 74, of Turlock. He worked for the Long Beach Shipyard from 1963-89. He belonged to Cortez Buddhist Church. He was a member of the Cortez Japanese American Citizens League and Cortez Shinwa Kai. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1942-48, then in the Air Force from 1950-52."
April 16, 1928 -- Aug. 22, 2002
wife, Chieko Ingham
Johnston, Douglas Lee
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Turner Field, GA where he flew B-25's. Then he went into Troop Carrier Command flying C-46's. About that time the war was over and he was discharged.
Springfield, VT
Jowers, Pleasant L. Jr.
Gordon Bellah was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated and was a Flight Instructor on single and multi-engine aircraft. He was also rated for instrument flight.
Mary Jowers, wife
Of Wray, GA
Karjanen, Edward
S/N: O-842619
Lt.
Of East Templeton, MA
King, John P.
Student Officer: 1st Lt. Red Copenhaver was his instructor. He washed out in Basic. Then took Bombardier training. He served in China, Burma and India theatre. He was released from service in October 1945.
Wife: Reba King
Of McAllen Texas
Kinzinger, Harold L.
Student Officer: 1st Lt.
Kipp, Clayton Elmer
Earl Hansel was his instructor. He had basic at Gunter and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69826. He flew P-51's. The war was over before he saw real action. S/N: T-69826
He was in Sqdn. 1 (see picture above)
Laura Kipp, wife
Of Edgely, ND
Kirstein, Carl E.
Smallwood was his instructor at Douglas.
He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict and did 2 tours of duty with the Army in Vietnam.
Knippen, James Henry
Jim had basic at Gunter and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69827. The war was soon over and his service was all within the USA. 1st LT
Helen Knippen, wife
of Wheaton, IL
Koepp, Harry J.
Glenn Harrington was his instructor at Douglas. LTC on
FindAGrave
Jun. 5, 1918-Jun. 29, 1993
Of Colorado Springs, CO
Krafjack, John William
Cliff Barbarow was his instructor. He had basic at Gunter Fld, AL and graduated Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842688.
Lambert, William Carroll
He had basic at Gunter Fld, AL and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842689. He then instructed in AT-6's at Montgomery and Gunter. Then was based at Brooks Field at San Antonio for a time. After the war he had a fixed base aircraft operation at Westfield IN. instructing and crop dusting. 1st LT
Fishers, IN
Lamson, Richard G.
He made his solo flight at Douglas. However, he washed out. He was sent to Sioux Falls, SD as a Radio Operator and Mechanic on B-29's. The war was over before he could be sent over seas
Virginia Lamson, wife
Of Springfield, VT.
Landsburg, Leonard X.
Student Officer: 1st Lt.
Lehner, Francis Edward
Norman Page was his instructor. He had basic at Gunter Fld, AL. and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842691.
From his obituary [Saratogian, The (Saratoga Springs, NY) - Thursday, August 25, 2005]: "Mr. Lehner was a graduate of St. John's University Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1943. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a pilot until 1945. He then remained in the Army Reserve, retiring as a major in 1971. He was employed at the Hartford Insurance Co. until his retirement in 1993."
Brooklyn, NY.
Died Aug. 23, 2005, age 88
wife Dorothy Freely
Levesque, Richard Lester
He changed his name to Lester R. Bishop. Graduated Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69828
Yarmouth, Mass
Macejka, Albert Paul
He graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69829.
His gravestone reads "Aviation Cadet." See FindAGrave.
Mckees Rocks, PA
Born Nov. 12, 1919
Died Jan. 15, 1979
McCahill, Robert Joseph
Graduated Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842694
New Britian, CT
McKenzie, Wesley M.
He went to Montgomery, AL for basic and to Turner Fld, GA for advanced graduating in May 1945. He was assigned there as an instructor for American, French and English cadets. He was separated in Dec. 1945.
Gladys McKenzie, wife
Of LaGrange, GA
Mercer, Russell Stephen
Graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69830. He stayed in the Air Force and made it his career. He was into missiles in California. After retiring as a major, he worked in maintenance at a Naval Air station.
Bucksport, Maine
Miller, Darl Edwin
Had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842697.
Butler, PA
Miller, George L.
Had basic at Gunter Field, AL
Memphis, TN.
Moore, William Harold
He had basic at Gunter Fld, AL and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69831. He was assigned to P-51's but the war ended before he was able to be checked out in them.
Ella Moore, wife
Of Traverse City, MI
Murphy, Bates H.
Graduated as a navigator at Selman Field, a navigator school located near Monroe, Louisiana on January 27, 1945, S/N: O-2082078.
2LT.
Myers, William Mansfield
Karl Luebbers was his instructor. He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842699
Studley, VA
Nakeshian, Albert Haig "AL"
Carl Webbers was his instructor. He had Basic at Gunter Fld, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842699. He served in the States only.
Ventnor, N.J.
Noble, Paul Alonzo
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842700.
Toledo, OH
Oatman, Robert Paul
James Smallwood was his instructor at Douglas. He graduated from Napier Field, AL as a Flight Officer. The war was over shortly after he graduated.
Shirley Oatman, wife
Of Marblehead, MA
Obitz, Herbert G.
St. Austin, MN
O'Conner, Robert Charles
Graduated from Napier Fld, AL S/N: T-69834.
Otto, George Kenneth
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-92835.
Detroit, MI.
Outen, Bennie Leigh
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69836
From his obituary [State, The (Columbia, SC) - Saturday, December 29, 2010]: After his service during WWII as an Army Air Corps pilot, Bennie went on earn a BS in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina... He then accepted employment with CT Harris & Sons where he was a sales representative of Fisher Imaging Radiology Equipment. He retired after 25 years of service. Burial in Fort Jackson National Cemetery."
Of Columbia SC
Born in Sumter, SC
Wife: Betty Roof Outen
Died December 26, 2010, age 86.
Padberg, George Bernard
Glenn Harrington was his instructor. He had basic at Gunter Fld, AL and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69837.
Palmerio, Alfred V.
Enlisted 14 Oct 1943 in Greensboro, NC.
Probably born 6 Jul 1925 in Philadelphia
Paral, Joseph Albert
Enlisted 10 Sep 1943
Probably born 22 Jan 1920 in Cicero, Cook, Illinois, and died 4 Jul 1992.
Piepenbring, Richard Lee
Attended Missouri Valley College. Was a Pvt in Miami Beach, FL in December 1942. Was an aviation student at Bainbridge, GA in June, 1944. He soloed September 30, 1944 at Douglas. After primary flying training at Douglas, he went on as an aviation cadet to Stewart Field, Newburgh, NY in January, 1945. He graduated as a 2nd LT (possibly at Stewart Field) and was stationed at Columbus, Miss. in June 1945. After the War he received a degree in forestry from University of Missouri.
From Kansis City, MO. Born 1 Feb 1923. Died 23 Jan 2013.
Married Jo Ann Benedict in Sept. 1945.
Pirtle, Robert McKinney
He was an enlisted pilot in the Army prior to signing up as a Cadet. Gordon Hellah was his instructor at Douglas. Robert graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842727. The war was over before he was sent overseas. After the war he was in Research and Development of airborne equipment.
Helen Pirtle, wife
Of Kingston, MA
Reifsnyder, Robert Douglas
Graduated from Napier Field, AL S/N: O-842704.
2nd Lt. per FindAGrave
Reading, PA
Nov. 5, 1920-Nov. 14, 1994
Wife: Thelma M. Reifsnyder
Schultz, John H.
Merrill Nelson was his instructor. He graduated from Turner Field, GA where he flew B-25’s. He was sent to a base to make up a crew, but the Bomb was dropped on Japan. He was soon discharged. 2nd Lt.
Evelyn Schultz, wife
Of Park City, FL
Shealy, Wilson
Tommy Stubbs was his Instructor at Douglas. He went to Basic at Gunter Field, AL. Graduated Napier Fld, AL. S/N: S/N: O-842708. He stayed in the reserves until 1951
Wife is Violet Shealy.
Slagle, Claude Thomas Jr.
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69840.
From his obituary [Knoxville News Sentinel (TN) - Thursday, September 15, 2011]: "He served in the United States military from 1941 until 1981 serving in WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War. He was shot down during the Korean Conflict in an 80 Spitfire and miraculously survived. The rest of his United States Military career was spent as a JAG officer. He was very passionate about jet fighters and Corvettes. ...burial East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, Governor John Sevier location, with full military honors."
Bristol, TN
Died September 11, 2011, Age 88.
Smaltz, Harold J.
Frank Hoffstatter was his Instructor at Douglas. He went to Basic at Gunter Field, AL.
Weirton, W. Va
Smith, George Thomas
Graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69842
From what may be his obituary [Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, IN) - Thursday, March 10, 2011]: "Born Aug. 25, 1928, in Sciotoville, Ohio. Died March 8, 2011. ...Married Jan. 5, 1968, in Logansport, to Anna May Smith. George retired from Rockwell International and the U.S. Air Force, where he had served his country for 23 years. He was a member of VFW Post 3790 and American Legion Post 60."
Of Oxford, PA.
Spears, Ernest Glen
Graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: T-69856
West Somerset, KY.
Stearley, John Winter
He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: T-69856.
Los Angeles, CA.
Thomson, Alexander D. Sr.
Thurn, Wayne Arthur
He graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842710
Buffalo, SD.
Vogel, William Donald Jr.
Gordon Bellah was his instructor. He had basic at Gunter Field, AL and graduated from Napier Fld, AL. S/N: O-842712
Indianapolis, Indiana
Weaver, George Klein
Graduated from Napier Field, AL. S/N: O-842714
Easton, PA.