Morrison, Ernest E 1982-11-28
Ernest Morrison discuses his experiences as a transport pilot during World War II and the growth of Lubbock and Texas Tech during the post-war years.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Ernest E. Morrison
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: November 28, 1982
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Mark Wells
Length: 2 hours 15 mintues
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Born: September 19, 1919,
First involvement in Air Force,
Early interest in flying,
Got job in Lubbock,
Lubbock in 1938,
Establishment of Texas Tech,
Life at Tech in 1940,
Cost of attending Tech,
Transportation,
Preston Smith’s theater,
Hitch hiking,
No crime,
Civilian Pilot Training program,
South Plains Glider School,
Civilian pilot training (again),
Entering Army Air Corps,
Requirements,
Incentive,
Classification center,
Pre-flight schools,
Training program at Maxwell Air Field,
Ground school,
Primary flight school, Camden, South Carolina,
PT-17,
Radio communication,
Type of flying,
Attrition rate,
Basic training,
British instructor,
BT-13,
Advanced training,
Two types of advanced schools,
Multi-engine and single engine,
AT-9 and AT-10,
Comparison of the two,
War Airlines Institute training program (1943),
Airlines involved,
Ground school,
Instrument flight rules,
C-47 and DC-3,
Training in Kansas City area,
Army cargo routed.
Tape 1, Side 2: War Airlines Institute (continued),
Airlines involved (again),
DC-3s, sleepers,
Training,
Air Transport Command ferry groups,
B-26,
Anecdote about landing on Ascension Island,
AT-21,
Modification of B-17s,
Problems with AT-21,
Chaos of air transport,
B-24,
CBI in India,
Situation in China at war’s end,
Performance of C-46,
Trains used to transport troops,
Morrison returns to Lubbock,
Attended Texas Tech,
Met wife at Tech,
Changes in Lubbock by war’s end.
Tape 2, Side 1: Reasons for leaving military,
Returning to Lubbock (again),
Changes in Lubbock by war’s end (again),
Political orientation of Lubbock,
George Mahon,
Values,
Reasons for establishing Texas Tech,
George Mahon’s support of Tech,
Depression,
Dust Bowl,
George Mahon (again),
Growth of Lubbock during the war,
Insight relative to Lubbock’s economy,
Closing of Lubbock Army Airfield,
Reopening as Reese Air Force Base in 1949,
Change of academic field for Morrison,
Sam Rayburn,
College years,
Value of Government documents,
Increase in Lubbock businesses,
Expansion of city,
"Hub of the Plains",
Pioneer airlines,
Rail service,
Growing interest in flying,
Proliferation of small aircraft,
Technological advance as a factor in Lubbock area agriculture,
Terracing machine, "Hancock",
Use of bracero labor,
Intervention of organized labor,
Congressman Mahon’s views,
Difference between braceros and eastern laborers,
Agricultural problems.
Tape 2, Side 2: Technology (continued),
Mechanization in response to labor needs,
Lubbock relations with minority groups,
Segregation,
Farmers as minority,
Cost of mechanization,
Reese Air Force Base,
Role in Lubbock economy,
Economic stimulus,
General growth in Lubbock economy,
Impact of Texas Tech on Lubbock economy,
Pre-World War II,
Subjects,
Tech Students,
Problems between students and locals,
Bootlegging to pay for education in pre-war era,
Outlaw legacy of pre-war Tech,
Post War era,
Influx of veterans among Tech students,
Increase in numbers of women,
Korean War era,
Enrollment,
Patriotism,
Growth,
Reserve programs.
Tape 3, Side 1: Tech students (continued),
Post-Korean War,
Economic problems in Lubbock area,
Advent of apathy,
Re-education of youth,
Last bastion of patriotism,
Vietnam era,
Patriotism,
Level of disaffection in Lubbock,
Shifting of priorities,
Changing name,
Maintenance and expansion,
Daughters of Agricultural minister to Shah of Iran.
Tape 3, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1939-1982
Bulk Dates: 1938-1960
Access Information
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Transcript:
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