Class 39D — Advanced Flying School

Career with Western Airlines following military service.

Career in the United States Air Force.

Served in the Air Defense Command period. Upon retirement, took additional graduate certification in Navigation School subjects (German and Social Studies). Taught at Queens College on Long Island, supervised the Pre-FAST Junior ROTC program for over 70 Tacoma school districts, and became director of material analysis at Queens. Assisted in upgrading personnel evaluations for the JROTC program. Resided in Syracuse, NY in retirement. Played first violin in the Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra.

Attained the rank of Brigadier General during his Air Force career.

Served at France Field, Canal Zone, alongside Bob Burns in the early wartime patrol period.

Notes in his memoir that "31 of my classmates were ordered to Panama" — a remarkably large contingent of Class 39D assigned to the Canal Zone defense mission. This figure is consistent with the high proportion of classmates (Bullock, Herblin, Kaliher, Musselwhite, Pirruccello, Willingham, Burns, and others) who appear in Canal Zone duty records.

Hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania — the same city where Ruth Burns (née Blackburn) was raised and attended nursing school at Windber Hospital. Whether Hammerle and Ruth's family were acquainted is unknown, but the coincidence is noted in the Burns family context.

Writes that "33 of us sent to Panama" — a slight variation from Dolim's "31" figure, reflecting that the precise count varied depending on how the initial assignment was counted versus transfers. Both figures confirm that Class 39D provided a substantial fraction of the Canal Zone's flying officers at the start of the war.

Assigned to the 6th Bomb Group, Canal Zone, flying B-18 patrol missions — the same assignment Bob Burns held in his early Canal Zone period (7th Reconnaissance Squadron, later France Field). The 6th Bomb Group and the 7th Recon Squadron operated from the same bases on the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the Canal. Kaliher's memoir includes an addendum.

Attained the rank of Lieutenant General — the highest rank achieved among Class 39D contributors to this volume (Zoeckler and Burns achieved Major General).

One of at least two Philippine Air Corps cadets who trained with Class 39D. Rose to the rank of Major General in the Philippine Air Force after the war. Osmundo Mondonedo (another classmate) was also Philippine Air Force and served as Air Attaché to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, in 1949.

Assigned to the 44th Reconnaissance Squadron at the Canal Zone, flying patrol missions in the same period as Bob Burns.

Assigned to Headquarters Squadron, France Field, Canal Zone — placing him at the same base as Bob Burns during the 1940–1941 period.

Born and raised near Portland, Oregon, where his early exposure to the Tex Rankin flying school sparked his interest in aviation. Entered the Cadet program at Randolph Field, February 1939. First assignment after Kelly Field: Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama. His memoir describes the "wheel-less wonder" BC-1 trainer at Kelly, and his first orientation flights in the Midwest. Post-war assignments included All-Weather Fighter Interceptor School, 25th Air Division at McChord AFB (inspector general), and the 45th Air Division. Retired to Portland, Oregon.

Compiled this class history over several years in the early 1980s, spending "six months out of his year in flying overhead and questioning" as he corresponded with every surviving classmate he could locate. The volume was accepted by the USAF Museum on June 29, 1983.

Memoir written as a personal letter beginning "Dear Col. Herbert O. Schulze, USAF-Ret." His entry at Randolph Field was memorable: hearing that his father had "sold the second story window to get him out of the window" — meaning arranged his cadet appointment. Graduated Kelly Field, reported to 3rd Observation Squadron, then to the BTS at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Commanded the 9th Bombardment Group and later Director of Flying, Director of Training, and various instructor assignments including All-Weather Fighter Interceptor School at Tyndall AFB. Assignments included Athens, Greece (JUSMAG), and Staff/73 positions in Colorado. Retired to Portland area.

Born Watertown, South Dakota, June 13, 1915. St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN (BA Chemistry, 1938). Enlisted at Fort Snelling, MN; arrived Randolph February 28, 1939. First posted to Maxwell Field, assigned to the 23rd Composite Group with its First Pursuit Squadron. Group moved to Orlando FL (April 1940) then became instrumental in developing both Orlando airport and Eglin Field. December 7, 1941 found Sheldon at Maxwell Field.

Subsequent career: Navigation School, B-17 Combat Crew School, Hendricks Field (Sebring); joined the 494th Bomb Group of B-24s; combat missions from Angaur Island in the Philippines; 41 missions total, moved to Yontan Airfield, Okinawa; post-war at Materials Laboratory, Wright Field (studying liberated German scientific equipment and then at AFIT for industrial engineering degree). JUSMAG Greece (Military Air Operations Advisor, Royal Hellenic Air Force); observed RHAF combat units flying Spitfires against Communist forces from bases in Northern Greece; decorated with Royal Order of George I and Order of Taj (Iran). Supply Directorate at Hill Field, Ogden, Utah. Met future wife at Hill Field — she was secretary to the Director of Supply.

Born Los Angeles, California, April 20, 1912. Attracted to aviation at age 5 when a barnstormer landed in a field behind his house. Walked 5 miles every Saturday to the Glendale Air Terminal to watch aircraft. Began lessons at age 16, soloed at 3½ hours, logged 40 hours before discovering the Army would pay him to fly. Joined the Navy Reserve at Long Beach before being selected for Class 39D. First Air Corps station: 4th Transport Squadron, Sacramento Air Depot — "the best flight training I could have received, as this squadron had some of the oldest active pilots in the Air Corps. Some of them graduated as far back as 1912."

On December 7, 1941: "I carried the Commanding General to Anchorage, Alaska, to take over that command." Followed by supply runs between Edmonton and Fairbanks in temperatures of minus 40–60°F over unmapped mountain territory with no radio aids. Transferred to the 60th Troop Carrier Group, Operations Officer of the 28th Squadron; deployed to England via Labrador/Greenland/Iceland (May 1942). Became C.O. of the 10th Squadron; developed new tactic of flying at treetop level in group formation.

Led his squadron as part of the November 8, 1942 North Africa invasion: flew blacked-out aircraft in close formation at 200-foot altitude, 10 feet of separation, under 500-foot overcast over the Bay of Biscay to avoid German radar; pulled up through overcast to 12,000 feet over northern Spain, aircraft separated in cloud; circled a lighthouse near the Moroccan coast; landed on a dry lake west of Oran. March 1943, named C.O. of the 60th Troop Carrier Group. Continued low-level supply runs to Tunisia within 18 miles of German fighter fields; aircraft were mud-camouflaged. March 1943, promoted Lt. Colonel.

July 9, 1943: Led three groups towing British gliders on the invasion of Sicily — first Allied planes to attack Sicily. General Carl Spaatz flew down personally to pin the DFC on him; also received British ACC Medal for carrying British Airborne troops. Collapsed from exhaustion; returned to US; recommended closure of Brownsville Air Base (done). Air Attaché to US Embassies in Central America, Panama, and British Honduras (1947). C.O. three Boat Squadrons, Eglin Field. Retired 1951. Resided Fullerton, CA; member Order of Daedalians, American Legion, Air Force Association, Elks Lodge.

Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 7 Service Stars; WWII Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; Philippine Liberation Medal; Philippine Independence Ribbon; Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge; Royal Order of George I, Greece; Medal of the Crown, Order of Taj, Iran; China Theater War Memorial Medal. Campaigns (494th Bomb Gp.): Air Offensive Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific; Southern Philippines; Luzon; Ryukyu Islands; China Offensive.

Born February 11, 1915. Military career began with the CO Army Air Corps (1935) and Maxwell Field (1935–38). First assignment after Kelly Field: Maxwell Field, 23rd Composite Group (test and demonstration pilot), Orlando FL, Eglin Field. December 1942, European Theater, then to China-Burma-India via C-54 flying over South America. Among the "famous people that I met as a result of my work": (a) MacArthur and his staff in the Philippines, June 1944; (b) Madame Chiang, Cairo; (c) King Faruk in Cairo; (d) Joe Louis in Cairo (waiter at Shepheard Hotel confirmed "he knew who the king was in those parts"); (e) General George Patton; (f) General Doolittle; (g) General Anderson "Tiger Wang" (Chinese Air Force); (h) Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (who later married Barbara Hutton — though Smart notes he later learned she had already married someone else).

Post-war career: B-24 squadron commander; 41 combat missions, 7th Air Force, 494th Bomb Group. Designed torpedo bombsight for B-25 enabling 75mm cannon to fire one round every 500 feet of closing range with 95% accuracy at 6,000 feet. First pilot to fly the Bell P-59 (first US jet). Thunderbird Team V/Commander under M/Gen Hood (1954 goodwill tour, 12 countries, Central/South America). Vietnam (1965): traveled by aircraft, car, and jeep through central mountains, became a "blood brother" of the Montagnards. Converted the Aeromed Wing from C-131/C-118 to present hospital aircraft ("Nightingale" — his chief nurse's idea for the name). Retired from Scott AFB as Wing Commander of the Aeromed Wing under MAC, 1964–1966. Then Autonetics Division of North American Rockwell (Minuteman III program, 1966–1970). Retired again May 1970. Order of Daedalians, American Legion, Air Force Association, Elks Lodge of Fullerton.

Contributed his memoir as a long letter addressed to "Mike" — a fellow classmate who apparently had a parallel career in the airlines. The letter alternates between Air Traffic Control radio calls (recounting an AA approach into LAX as a framing device) and biographical narrative.

After Kelly Field, Stetson returned to American Airlines in August 1940 before being recalled in July 1943. He flew the C-54 and ultimately became "the first instructor qualified on the B-747" for American Airlines and director of all C-54 OTU training at Grenier Field, NH. His 35 years at AA included bases at Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles; aircraft: DC-3, DC-4, CV-240, DC-6, DC-7, Lockheed Electra, CV-990s, B-707s, B-747s. He was a Chief Pilot and then Director of the NAD for the last eight years. "25,000 hours total time is low due to so much instruction, not to mention several thousand hours in the latest environment of simulation."

"The United States Army Air Corps at Randolph and Kelly was the equivalent of a PhD in Aviation with the thesis on military flying. The disciplines and skills were imbued for a lifetime. May all of our Class of 39D have a flash of REMEMBRANCE of peace and war and friends each time we watch the cold beauty of the frozen ice contrails etch the limitless blue sky."

Graduated November 29, 1939 (one day after the class ceremony). First assignment Maxwell Field. "I graduated from Pan American College (then Edinburg Junior College) in Edinburg, Texas, in 1935." Enlisted in the Citadel before re-enlisting for the Army Air Corps cadet program. Korea assignment (Pueblo incident period). Strategic Air Command; Carswell AFB. Retired October 31, 1963 after nearly 25 years. Post-retirement: Texas Employment Dept. (helping migrant workers learn industrial trades), then taught Nuclear Weapons for SAC at Carswell for 7 years. Fort Worth–Dallas area.

Born Dover, New Jersey, 1913. Newark State Teachers College; taught industrial arts 5 years; learned to fly on J-3 Cubs and Aeronca C-3s. Graduated Kelly Field, assigned to Middletown Air Depot with 15 classmates. Left active duty July 1940 for Eastern Air Lines, New York. Recalled to active duty July 1943: West Palm Beach → 1st Operational Training Unit, St. Joseph MO (instrument and long-range ferry instructor on B-25, C-46, C-47, C-49, AT-17s). CBI at Jorhat, India — flew a C-54A on the Hump to test the aircraft in that role. Returned to EAL 1945; flew DC-3, DC-4, DC-7, Lockheed Constellations, Lockheed Electra, Boeing 720s as Captain. Retired at age 60, January 1973. Eventually reached the military rank of Lt. Col. in reserve status. Resided at same address (Dover area) throughout retirement.

Born Rocky, North Carolina, December 30, 1918. Grew up in Tarboro NC. Graduated Tarboro High School 1935. The Citadel (Charleston SC), July 1, 1937; one-year Army enlistment for West Point appointments; re-enlisted July 1, 1938 for three-year term. Selected for Army Air Corps Flying School, Randolph Field — originally assigned to Class 40A but changed to 39D when the course was shortened from 12 to 9 months. "Because of this, it was necessary to stay at Kelly Field an extra month as a Cadet until I became 21, the minimum age for being a Commissioned Officer."

First assignment: Maxwell Field, 3rd Photo Squadron. Photography school at Lowry Field CO. Air Corps decided aerial photography was needed in Alaska — sent the class TDY, but upon arrival Alaska TDY was cancelled; returned to Lowry, then Maxwell, then MacDill Field, Tampa (January 1942). 3rd Photo Group: photographing north coast of South America for aeronautical charts update. November 1942: Peterson Field, Colorado Springs (Photo Reconnaissance training base). October 1943: Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City. December 1943: Gainesville TX → 8th Photo Group HQ → Los Angeles → Bombay by boat → by train across India to Calcutta → assigned 9th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, Calcutta → Burma.

Returned to US February 1945 via Africa and South America. Wright Field, Dayton (final assignment). Left service September 1945; joined Pan American World Airways, Miami. Flew DC-3s to Caribbean/South America. Navigation School 1947. Pilot-Navigator, Constellations. Upgraded to 1st Officer 1954. London Base 1950–1953: routes to Europe, South Africa, Far East (Hong Kong). DC-8 (1st Officer 1959), upgraded to Captain 1966. Flew 707 until retirement January 1, 1979; 747 from 1967–1976. Married Georgia Ann Pierce of Colorado Springs, May 20, 1943; 5 children (3 boys, 2 girls). Hopkinton, NH.

One of the most extraordinary careers in the class. After Kelly Field, posted to Maxwell Field and the 23rd Composite Group. Became a test pilot; designed the first torpedo drop system for aircraft (working with Navy engineers at Quonset Point, RI to develop fins that could be strapped to a standard submarine torpedo). Designed a bombsight for the B-25 allowing the 75mm cannon to fire one round every 500 feet of closing range, hitting a ship target with 95% accuracy at 6,000 feet — built two sights for $20,000 each vs. the civilian contractor's price of $20,000 each (Wassche's used canibalized parts from different gun sights).

First pilot to fly the Bell P-59 (America's first jet aircraft). Flew a C-54 from Rio de Janeiro to Panama via Manaus, Brazil — first time an aircraft had flown across the heart of the Brazilian jungle. Organized and flew as V/Commander of the Thunderbird Team under M/Gen Hood for the 1954 goodwill tour of 12 countries in Central and South America; designated Honorary Pilot in the Air Forces of all 12 nations. Vietnam (1965): traveled by jeep through the central mountains of Vietnam, became a "blood-brother" of the Montagnards. Converted the Aeromed Wing from C-131 and C-118 to present configuration, naming the aircraft "Nightingale" (his chief nurse's idea).

Promoted Colonel December 1944. Wing Commander of the Aeromed Wing under MAC, Scott AFB (1964–1966). Retired. Autonetics Division of North American Rockwell (Minuteman III, until May 1970). Memberships: Order of Daedalians, American Legion, Air Force Association, Elks Lodge of Fullerton.

Aircraft checked out as first pilot (partial list): Trainers (PT-3, PT-13, PT-17, BT-2, BT-9, BC-1A, AT-6, AT-11, AT-23); Cargo (C-36, C-40, C-45, C-46, C-47, C-54, C-64, C-97, C-118, C-131); Attack (A-12, A-18, A-20, A-24, A-26, A-31, A-35, A-36); Fighters (P-12, P-26, P-36, P-37, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51, P-61, P-63, P-70, P-75); Bombers (B-10, B-12, O-17, B-18, C-20, B-23, B-24, B-25, B-26, B-28, B-29, B-30, B-34, B-40, B-41); Jets (P-59, P-80, T-33, T-39, F-100, F-102, F-106, C-9); Amphibians (OA-9, OA-10, OA-14); Helicopters (YR-4, H-19); Foreign (Zero, JU-88, Spitfire, Mosquito, Wellington, Lancaster).

Graduated from Pan American College (then Edinburg Junior College), Edinburg, Texas. Upon graduation from Kelly Field, posted to the 23rd Composite Group, Maxwell Field. Assigned to the Canal Zone — the 37th Fighter Squadron ✦ — flying P-36s in the patrol mission. Notes the "endless blue of Texas skies in P-12's" during advanced training at Kelly. Returned to Maxwell, then to New Jersey (177th Fighter Group). December 1942, European Theater with the 8th Air Support Command; served with 9th Air Force and SHAEF HQ. During three years in the European Theater: briefed "Ike" (General Eisenhower) every third day on Air Corps plans and results.

Post-war: Procurement and Production Division, Air Materiel Command (engines, armaments, communications, accessories). Four years at Wright-Patterson AFB; Pentagon — "being in the right place at the right time" — justified the entire Air Force budget for "things" when President Eisenhower did not appoint an undersecretary in time. Air War College. Two years in Alaska. Wright-Patterson again as Director of Aircraft and Missiles / Ballistic Missiles. Atlas ICBM: sent to Los Angeles as Program Director. On time, on budget, and success in the first manned space program (Mercury) earned a Legion of Merit and promotion to Brigadier General. Western Contract Management Region. F-111 (TFX) Program Director. At age 52, checked out in the F-111 (#3), then the world's second-fastest aircraft. Briefed Secretary of Defense every two weeks on TFX progress. Distinguished Service Medal and another star. Retired Andrews AFB July 1969; San Diego CA.

Davenport, Iowa. University of Iowa ROTC; commissioned 2nd Lt. Army Reserve on his 21st birthday, 1936. Applied for Army Air Corps cadet training and graduated with Class 39D. Assigned to the 23rd Composite Group at Maxwell Field; served at Orlando FL and Eglin Field as test and demonstration pilot until December 1942 when sent to the European Theater. Operations officer, 8th Air Support Command; served with 9th Air Force and SHAEF HQ during all three years in the European Theater. Had only 4 combat missions, then learned of the invasion plans and was grounded — too much operational knowledge to risk being shot down. Had the opportunity to brief "Ike" (Eisenhower) every third day on Air Corps plans.

Upon return in 1946: Procurement and Production Division, Air Materiel Command — responsible for all engines, armaments, communications equipment and accessories both in development and production. Four years at Wright-Patterson; Pentagon; promoted to Colonel and opportunity to justify the entire Air Force budget for "things" when Eisenhower did not appoint an undersecretary in time. Air War College. Two years in Alaska. Back to Wright-Patterson as Director of Aircraft and Missiles; then to Los Angeles as Program Director for Atlas ICBM — first intercontinental missile. On time, on budget, and success in the Mercury program earned a second Legion of Merit and promotion to Brigadier General. Western Contract Management Region. F-111 (TFX) Program Director. At 52, checked out in the F-111 (#3), then the world's second fastest aircraft. Distinguished Service Medal and additional star. Retired Andrews AFB July 1969; moved to Redondo Beach CA then San Diego. Worked two years at TRW Space Systems Division.