Morganti, Clyde 1982-10-29

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Clyde Morganti shares his military experiences during World War II and subsequent career at Reese Air Force Base, where he was Wing Commander during the 1960s. He also relates his career at Texas Tech as well as thought and memories of Lubbock.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Clyde Morganti

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: October 29, 1982

Location: None Given

Interviewer: Mark Wells

Length: 1 hour


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Clyde Morganti, background, Born: 1920, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, Raised in Colorado, Education, Colorado State College of Education (now University of Northern Colorado), Graduated (1941), Applied for Aviation Cadets (1941), Accepted, War started shortly after, Entered Air Force in December 1941, Flight training, Country divided into 3 regions, Primary training (Gulf Coast Region), Oklahoma, Chickasaw Base, Living, Accelerated program, Basic training, Randolph Air Base, Characteristics, Advanced training, Houston, Ellington Field, Multi-engine training, Selection of training based according to need, No personal requests, Feelings about training selection, Graduated (1942), Operational training unit, Bomber, Fighter, Cargo, South Carolina, B-25 training unit, Rapid training, Schedule, Safety, Casualties and possible casualties, Overseas combat assignment, Africa, Trip, Formation, Length, Combat casualties throughout war, B-25 airplane, Characteristics, Safety of bombing altitudes, Navigation, Technology, Base stationed at, Dirt field, Assignments, Strategic bomb targets, Rand and command, Airplanes, Combat losses, Vulnerabilities, Altitudes, Bomb loads, Types of bombs, War stories, Bombed Rome, Six hour mission, Targets, Vatican avoided, Plane losses, British, American, Mission schedules, Off duty time, North African theater, Leisure activities, Liquor, Poker games, No way to spend money, End of tour, November 1943, Stationed in southern Italy, Relatively safe, Mission.

Tape 1, Side 2: Mission (continued), Italian surrender, General Maxwell Taylor, Back to Reese Air Force Base, 1967, Reasons, Pentagon service, Attraction of a flying wing commander, People, Weather, Hospital communities, Vietnam War period, Reese’s annual production rate, Production quality, Assignments out of pilot training, Safety, Accidents, Discipline, Squadron changes (1966), Two separate squadrons, Flights, Specialization, Safety, Efficiency, Lubbock, 1960s, Relationship with Reese, No problems, No resistance, Support, Clyde Morganti (again), Community relations as Wing Commander, Priorities, Work hours, Duties as Wing Commander, Culture and environment, Stable area, University characteristics, Relationship with Reese Air Force Base, Progress, University Medical Center, Reese Air Force Base, Cut back threats, Politics, Congressman George Mahon’s efforts, Stability of base, Big Spring Base cuts, Laredo Base cuts, George Mahon (again), Characteristics, Weather factors, Crosswinds, Landing problems, Association with Tech, Dr. Grover Murray, President of Texas Tech, Job offer, Special assistant to the president, Job description, Relationship maintained, Social activities, Use of facilities, Military treatment of retirees, Feelings, Projection of relationship between Reese and Lubbock, Change of politics, National situation.

Range Dates: 1920-1982

Bulk Dates: 1940s


Access Information

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