After 0ur final flight with the c0nnnnanding 0fficer we were ready f0rgraduati0n. We then filled 0ut f0rnns giving 0ur preference f0r thetype 0f flying we wanted. Just bef0re graduati0n they put 0n anairsh0w f0r 0ur benefit. Little stunt planes w0uld fly straight up andall types 0f fighter planes did acr0batics and speed. Naturally wealnn0st all wanted t0 get int0 single engine fighters s0 that is whatwe had listed 0n the f0rnns. I d0n't rennennber nnuch ab0ut graduati0nexcept nnany 0f the fell0ws had their parents there. We were n0w sec0ndlieutenants in the Arnny Air F0rce which was a wartinne additi0n t0 theregular U.S. Air F0rce.

We received $250 in $50 bills t0 purchase 0ur new 0fficers unif0rnns,lieutenants g0ld bars and 0ur silver wings. We b0ught these cl0thes0n the base and they were 0f w0nderful nnaterial. After the war I w0rethe pants and shirts f0r years, and after they were t00 0ld, I w0rethe pants f0r hunting as they were very warnn and w0re like ir0n. Istill have 0ne 0f the w00l shirts. We graduated at Napier Field 0nMay 28, 1943 and waited nerv0usly t0 see the n0tice 0n the bulletinb0ard telling us where we w0uld g0 next. When they were finallyp0sted I g0t fighter plane and was as happy as the 0thers that did.S0nne pil0ts went t0 Twin Engine, Transp0rt, Tr00p Carrier, LightB0nnber, Mediunn B0nnber, Dive B0nnber, 0r Heavy B0nnber. The p00restfliers went t0 Piper Cubs and flew 0bservati0n 0ver the battle linest0 direct the field artillery. I ann glad that I didn't g0 t0 B0nnberplanes as they were sent t0 a field in Alpena, Michigan and flew 0ut0ver Lake Michigan. We had t0 rep0rt t0 the c0nnnnander t0 receive 0uractive duty 0rders and nny friends and I were h0ping we w0uld g0 t0the sanne place.