Duty Stations

The "West Point of the Air" — primary flight training for cadets. Bob's flying career began here in June 1939.

Advanced flying training on more powerful aircraft, leading to his commission as a pilot on November 28, 1939.

Headquarters of the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron. Bob flew B-18 and A-17 patrol missions over the Caribbean and transitioned to the B-17.

Bob was alone here on December 7–8, 1941, supervising the overnight emergency loading of bombs and ammunition for immediate deployment.

Brief deployment on Panama's Pacific side during the tense weeks following Pearl Harbor.

Flying B-17F patrol routes over the Galápagos — 7–8 hour missions at 1,500 feet with no navigator or radio navigation aids.

Brief stop near Spokane, WA while traveling from Panama north to meet the forming 351st Bomb Group.

The 351st Bomb Group took shape at El Paso's Biggs Field. Clark Gable joined the group here in late December 1942.

Final stateside training before shipping out. Bob flew the North Atlantic to Prestwick, Scotland with Flight Officer Comfort.

Home of the 351st Bomb Group (H), 8th Air Force. Bob flew B-17F and B-17G missions over occupied Europe, May 1943 – March 1945.

Rest and recuperation at Miami Beach. Bob roomed with playwright Thornton Wilder at the Cadillac Hotel in May 1945.

Assignment to a bomb scoring unit at Colorado Springs — evaluating bombing accuracy for postwar training.

Long Island posting — Bob married Ruth Josephine Blackburn here in 1945 or early 1946.

Tennessee Air National Guard in Nashville — Bob flew P-47 Thunderbolts and later F-51 Mustangs in peacetime duty.

Washington DC staff assignment. Bob's career continued its upward trajectory after the Tennessee ANG years.