Shaffer, Garner C 1982-09-10
Garmer Shaffer, retired Air Force officer, discusses his flight training and military assignments in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Garner C. Shaffer
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: September 10, 1982
Location: None Given
Interviewer: Marc Wells
Length: 55 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Born: Syracuse, Kansas (April 7, 1920),
Moved to Lubbock in 1935,
Father,
Municipal Bond business,
Electrical Department at Reese AFB,
Education,
Began Texas Tech in 1935,
Entered pilot program,
Left Texas Tech in 1941,
Joined Air Force,
Boot Camp,
Kelley Field, San Antonio,
Primary training (3 months),
Chickasha, Oklahoma,
Flight School,
Flew PT-19,
Commissioning program,
Civilian operated,
Basic Training,
Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas,
Flew BT-9,
Description of aircraft,
Cadet pay and liberties,
"Square meals",
Typical day for cadet,
Classroom activities,
Instructor,
Organization of program,
Advanced training,
Ellington Field, Houston, Texas,
Flew AT-17,
Decision to fly multi-engine aircraft,
B-17 training (Florida),
Opinion of B-17,
Initial assignment (early 1943),
Tolara, Peru,
Submarine patrol to Yellow Pecos Islands,
Flew LB-30,
Armaments,
Duties,
July 1943, Shipped to San Francisco,
Married in Houston, Texas,
Stationed in Tucson, Arizona,
Instructor pilot for B-24s,
Problems,
Transferred to Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas,
Flew B-24s and B-26s,
19^th Tow Target Squadron,
Temporary Tow Target duties,
Blythe, California,
Cook, Nebraska,
Flying the B-24,
Compared to B-17,
Anecdote about problem in Blythe, California,
Transferred to Rapid City, South Dakota,
B-17 combat training,
Prep for European tour,
War ended,
Crews disbanded,
Schaffer sent to Peyote AFB, Monahans, Texas,
B-29 base,
Instructed on B-29s,
Flying the B-29,
Description of aircraft,
Instruction.
Tape 1, Side 2: Overseas tour of duty,
Tow-targets requested from Biggs Field,
Destined for India and B-29 practice,
Flight to India,
Conditions in India,
Anecdote about cooling beer,
Schaffer returned from India,
Stationed in Rapid City to prepare for Europe,
War ended,
Instructorship at Peyote,
Anecdote about night Japan surrendered,
B-29 (again),
Problems,
Crew,
Instructing,
Discharge request,
Rome, New York (October 1945),
Returned to Texas Tech,
Degree conferred (1948),
International Trade,
Worked for Veterans’ Administration,
Adjusted insurance claims,
Retired June of 1982,
Connection with Class of 42H, Reese AFB,
42H Reunion.
Range Dates: 1935-1982
Bulk Dates: 1941-1945
Access Information
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Transcript:
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