Post War Commission

Austin and his new family began life in the post war era and began the traditional military hopping around the country from base to base.  Between his marriage and the years leading up to the Korean War he held a number of different positions at different bases. 

Before I get into the history of their military trek across the country it is important to note some of the events that played out behind the scene so to speak.  As was stated earlier, his new wife was not too thrilled about his making a career out of the Air Force despite Austin's wish.  Sentiments she later cherished.  However, despite his illustrious career with the 8th Air Force and how highly regarded he was both as a pilot and as a commander, the military began the process of downsizing it's ranks-something Cpt. Simmons quickly learned. 

In December 1945 the 79th Congress issued legislation which outlined the requirements for the post war army.  Within that legislation it permitted an increase of Regular Army Officers from 25k to 50k.  However, the War Department had no interest in filling all of those vacancies. 

On September 1, 1946 Captain Simmons received a letter from Major General Edward F. Witsell outlining the 5 reasons why the War Department had passed on his application for appointment into the Regular Army.  He was offered a chance to reapply per paragraph 4 which it looked like he had done. 

On October 9, 1947 his application was once again rejected by Major General Witsell.  The first line of paragraph two read, 'Your competitive standing among the great many officers who applied for regular commission was not sufficiently high to permit your appointment.'  It then went on to outline his patrotism during war.

Cpt Simmons April 1946.

At some point in 1947 (undated correspondence to Cpt. Simmons) he was relieved of Active Duty.  The order came from the Newfoundland Base Command to Cpt. Simmons who was then stationed at Gander Airfield in Newfoundland. 

On May 26, 1947 he received instructions and the initiative from Lt. Col James H. Reiter to apply for a commission within the Reserve Officers Corps.  A little over two months later he received a written response from the same Lt. Col Reiter that, 'The Secretary of War has directed me to inform you that by direction of the President, you are tendered appointment in the Officers' Reserve Corps, Army of the United States, effective this date...'  The date was July 31, 1947.

Note:  as you will see in the chronology below he was transferred from an officer in the Army (Army Air Corp) to that of an Air Force officer in September of 1947.  The Air Force came into it's own on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of 1947. 

    
Chronology from marriage through 1947:

May 20-July 21, 1945:               B-17 pilot - Memphis, TN

July 22-Sept 7, 1945:                Co-pilot domestic transport- Ft. Dix, NJ

Sept 8, 1945-Jan 9, 1946:         Asst Oper Control Off - Ft. Dix, NJ

Jan 10-June 30, 1946:               Asst Mat Operations Off - Cincinnati, OH

July 1-Oct 13, 1946:                 Asst Mat Operations Off - Memphis, TN

Oct 14-Nov 13, 1946:              Asst Mat Operations Off - HqATLD ATC LI (Long Island?), NY

Nov 14-Nov 21, 1946:             Enroute to join - Newfoundland

Nov 22-Dec 31, 1946:              Casual, Awaiting assignment - Newfoundland

Jan 1-Jan 10, 1947:                   Casual - Newfoundland

Jan 11-Jan 29, 1947:                 Operations Off - Newfoundland

Jan 30-July 1, 1947:                  Admin Off - Newfoundland

July 2-March 31, 1948:             Admin Off - Ft. Pepperell, Newfoundland

(Trfd to Dept of AF per Transfer Order #1, NME, 26, Sept, 1947)