For myself, one of the most defining periods in my grandfather's life was his involvement in WW2. I don't need to get into how significant that period in history was not only to our family, but the entire world, other than he did his fair share.
Sifting through document after document one thing became clear to me, a young Lt. Simmons quickly established himself as a leader. The comments from his instructors on his flight training cards described him as a fast learner and someone eager to learn. This is how it all began.
6/10/2010 Edit: During an imprompto interview with my grandfather in 2004, which was subsequently recorded, he let on about how he made it into the Army Air Corp.
The story as told by him sixty years later was that he and two friends had set out to join the Marine Corps. When they got to the recruiting station in Pittsburgh there were a few different lines leading to various branches of the Armed Forces. Thinking they were in line for the Marines, the three soon learned that they had just enlisted in the Army.
Although upset he didn't say anything and just went with the flow. Soon thereafter he was in Nashville, TN going to a rigorous psychological exam to find out what kind of soldier he was destined to be. He went into the detail at the oddity of the question asked as to which manner he brushed his teeth. Apparently the way he did so qualified him as a pilot with the Army Air Corp.
During his pilot's training he was one of the thirteen men who passed out of the sixty who started the program with him. But it wasn't exactly easy for him as he suffered from painful swelling of his legs, something he never told his instructors.
End Edit.
6/10/2010 Edit: During an imprompto interview with my grandfather in 2004, which was subsequently recorded, he let on about how he made it into the Army Air Corp.
The story as told by him sixty years later was that he and two friends had set out to join the Marine Corps. When they got to the recruiting station in Pittsburgh there were a few different lines leading to various branches of the Armed Forces. Thinking they were in line for the Marines, the three soon learned that they had just enlisted in the Army.
Although upset he didn't say anything and just went with the flow. Soon thereafter he was in Nashville, TN going to a rigorous psychological exam to find out what kind of soldier he was destined to be. He went into the detail at the oddity of the question asked as to which manner he brushed his teeth. Apparently the way he did so qualified him as a pilot with the Army Air Corp.
During his pilot's training he was one of the thirteen men who passed out of the sixty who started the program with him. But it wasn't exactly easy for him as he suffered from painful swelling of his legs, something he never told his instructors.
End Edit.
It’s November 16, 1943 and 2nd Lieutenant Austin W. Simmons receives his first paycheck as a commissioned officer in the Army Air Corps. $150 a month plus an additional $75 for being a pilot, $45 for housing and $21 for subsistence. His new Officer’s Pay Data Card lists ‘None’ dependents. He was twenty two years old.
Ten months have passed since reporting for active duty as a reservist on February 9, 1943. The command coming down from the Nashville Army Air Center (AAFCC) in Nashville, TN. The Army Air Forces Classification Center was brand new in 1943 and the starting point for new cadets where they were brought in for preliminary training, aptitude tests, and physical examinations. Here they were each classified based on their skills and talents and then shipped out to other training installations to hone in their skills as pilots, bombardiers, navigators and gunners.
Shortly after processing young Austin enters the Army Air Forces Flying Training Command, 55th AAFFTD in Bennettsville, SC and begins his formal training as a pilot under instructor Ted J. Kasilowski.
Taken from his training year book, AW Simmons photo is missing.
On October 26, 1943 Major General Hanley issues Personnel Orders No. 51:
The following-named Second Lieutenants, Air Corps, AUS having completed the prescribed course of instructions, are rated Pilot, under the provisions of Army Regulations 95-60, War Department….
Simmons, Austin 0-814993
Wilbourne.
He is now officially a pilot of the Army Air Corps.
To All Whom It May Concern:
This is to Certify, That* Austin W. Simmons 13088782, Aviation Cadet, Aviation Cadet Detachment. THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES, as a TESTIMONIAL OF HONEST AND FAITHFUL SERVICE, is hereby HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the military service of the UNITED STATES by reason of Par. 25a, AR615-160 to accept commission, 2nd Lieut., AUS.
Said Austin W. Simmons was born in Catilna, in the State of Newfoundland. When enlisted he was 21 years of age and by occupation a Glass Worker. He had Grey eyes, Blonde hair, Ruddy complexion, and was Five feet Eleven inches in height.
Given under my hand at Turner Field, Albany, Georgia this 2nd day of November, on thousand nine hundred and Forty-three.
Signed
John B. Patrick
Colonel, Air Corps. Commanding
The following day he receives his commission as a temporary Second Lieutenant from Major General Hanley and is ordered to active duty while stationed at Turner Field, Albany, GA. '0-814993' becomes his permanent serial number replacing the serial number 13088782 that was issued to him when he enlisted on July 25, 1942. His Enlisted Record simply said of his character: 'Excellent.' November 3rd also marks his formal introduction with the plane that will define his combat career, the B-17 Heavy Bomber. After logging 94:20 hours in both Pilot and Co-Pilot Advanced Training his instructor Lt. Norris remarked ‘This student has natural ability and is quick to learn. Has great interest and wants to learn. Would make a good plane commander.’
Little did he know.
Training class, Shaw Field, SC. AW Simmons 3rd row, far left.
No comments:
Post a Comment