My Father’s Million Dollar Education

Planes flying over Allied ships in Tokyo Bay as part of the Japanese surrender ceremony.

1942 - My father’s “Million Dollar Education” began when he enlisted in the V-5 Navy aviation program. They said he was a fraction too short but to come back in the morning when you’re slightly taller. It worked. The PV1 patrol bomber crew included the two pilots (my father is on the left), turret gunner, tail gunner, radio operator, and mechanic.

His first assignment was to fly PV1 patrol bombers on shore patrol on the West coast. Then flew out of Hawaii and on to Tinian, Midway, Iwo Jima, Guam, Saipan, Japan and China… (The full story telling why he called it his “Million Dollar Education” and how the crew survived a near tragedy, will be available in my upcoming anthology. The pictures below show some of the highlights)

May 1943 - Passed his final flight test using a Taylor Cub and became a Navy Aviator.

Learned acrobatics and combat manuevers in N3N Biplanes.

Learned carrier landings, flying formations and emergency landings in Vultee Vibrators.

Learned to fly large, complex, twin engine Beechcraft AT-10s

Assigned to fly PV1 patrol bombers.

The aircraft carrier Ticonderoga.