Oral history interview with Bill Leonard, 2002 May 28.

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Oral history interview with Bill Leonard, 2002 May 28.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/424616343

Interview with Bill Leonard, textile businessman and Marine Corps veteran (Bombing Squadron VMB-433), concerning his experiences as a PBJ (B-25) pilot in the Southwest Pacific Theater during World War II. Prewar experience at Clemson University in ROTC at Citizen's Military Training, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Civilian Pilot Training Program, 1940-41; decision to enter the Navy V-5 Program, December, 1941; pre-flight training, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 1941-42; elementary flight training, Lambert Field, Saint Louis, Missouri, 1942; advanced flight training, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, 1942-43; decision to opt for multi-engine aircraft training and transfer to the Marine Corps, 1943; assignment to Cherry Point, North Carolina, and placement in Operational Training Squadron 8; training in the PBJ; assignment to VMB-433 and crew formation at Peterfield Point, North Carolina, 1943-44; his close friendship with co-pilot Dick Graves; combat training, El Centro, California, 1944; voyage to Espiritu Santo, May, 1944; assignment to Green Island, August, 1944; his first mission to Rabaul; thoughts about combat; "night-heckling" missions; his experiences on a PT boat mission; transfer to Emirau, August, 1944; mission to Paluwet in the Truk Group; rest and relaxation in Australia; his evacuation from Emirau in February, 1945, because of combat fatigue and psychological problems due to Graves's death; his postwar career.

85 leaves ; 29 cm.

University of North Texas Library, UNT

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SNAC Resource ID: 7450032

University of North Texas Library, UNT

Related Entities

There are 9 Entities related to this resource.

University of North Texas. Oral History Collection.

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World War II Pacific Theater (Island Hopping) Oral History Project.

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Civilian Pilot Training Program (U.S.)

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The Civil Aeronautics Authority, starting in 1940, contracted out the work of training fighter pilots in reaction to World War II. The University of New Hampshire was one of the main contractors and ran the Civilian Pilot Training Program from 1940 to 1943. From the description of Records, 1940-1965, bulk 1940-1943. (Manchester City Library). WorldCat record id: 29632521 ...

Leonard, Bill, 1921-

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Clemson university

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University of Georgia. International Student Life Office

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United States. Marine Corps. Marine Bombing Squadron, 433.

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Marcello, Ronald E.

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