Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Comments
Awarded since the USAAF was a part of the Army at the time.
Best Friends
Sgt Ira Kinsler, Radio Operator (deceased) Sgt Walter Kozak, Deckhand (location and status unknown).
Best Moment
1) Getting enough points to qualify for discharge. 2) Promotion to Corporal shortly after arrival.
Chain of Command
1) WO Cecil Nickerson, Boat Skipper (Deceased) 2) CO, 12th Emergency Rescue Boat Squadron 3) Hq, 6th Air Force
Other Memories
1) When I arrived I met with a SSgt who was responsible for Crash Boat assignments. His intention was to assign me to a Crash Boat on Galapagos Island at the Equator. I balked at that assignment since the war had just ended a few weeks earlier and I was afraid they'd forget about me being so far away. We 'negotiated' a closer assignment to Rey Island which was 60-100 miles from the mainland (Pacific side). It proved to be an interesting assignment. a. Rey Island had an Emergency Runway which is why the P-258 was assigned there. The Island also had a Radar Unit and a small base to support us all, including a small Dispensary, Mess Hall, barracks and a Club. We could get the key to the club anytime we wanted it as I recall. The CO of the site, a grounded pilot hardly ever came out of his houch but we were allowed to drive his jeep as needed, which wasn't often, but I would take it to fetch mail and stuff from incoming planes that landed occasionally. There was no control tower at this airfield. b. The Skipper of the P-258 was a WO and a pretty nice guy. Never bothered us with nonsense or useless details, but I was only with him a couple months before he rotated which left just three enlisted behind to main the boat before we were ordered to return it to the mainland in late Jan '46, which we did and walked away pending our transfer to CONUS. 2) I was assigned as the Engineer for the boat because they already had a Radio Operator, Sgt Ira Kinsler. 3) Caught a boat (either the SS Florida or the SS Monterey...but not the one that had brought me down) back to New Orleans, then boarded a train to the Separation Center, Camp Atterbury, IN. 4) We recently acquired a roll of 16mm microfilm from the Air Force Historical Research Agency and sent it off to be copied to a DVD so we can look at it on the PC. This roll of film has approximately 2000 documents from WWII pertaining to the AAF Crash Boat Squadrons. Should be an interesting read. 5) The 12th ERBS was activated on 2Jun44 and deactivated on 15Oct46. Prior to activation, it was the 926th Quartermaster Boat Company (Aviation). 6) Crash Boat P-258 was transferred to Bolling AFB, Washington, DC in 1950. While at Bolling it served as a crash boat and ferry. The crash boats were discontinued in the USAF on 30 June 1956. However, some boats at Bolling were maintained as Yachts, Crash Boats and Ferry Boats until 1973, but I don't know if the P-258 was retained that long or not. The final status of the P-258 at this time is unknown. What happened to it after it served its purpose at Bolling AFB?
Other Memories
My first thought on being sent here was that I was being sent to Europe as part of the Occupation. I had no desire to be involved in that since the war was over by the time I arrived here. I just wanted to go home.
However, that wasn't to be. I was told I was being sent to New Orleans for overseas assignment. I wasn't interested in that either. But I went as ordered.
Worst Moment
Having to go overseas with WWII being over by the time I arrived here. In fact,WWII had ended while I was in transit from Kirtland AAF to Greensboro ORD, NC. I had also done a detour to IN to visit the wife and new born son who were both still in the hospital when I blew through. So this trip would have started in early September because the son was born on the 6th and I hadn't arrived there yet.
Other Memories
Just here to find out where I was headed. It was determined I'd be sent to Panama for assignment. Boarded either the SS Florida or the SS Monterey at Chalmette Slip and floated down to Colon, Panama...took a train to Albrook Field where I was processed for assignment within the 6th Air Force.
Worst Moment
Just being there. It was a nice place and all but WWII was almost over and since it was obvious they didn't have anything special for me to do, I just wanted to be discharged and go home. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough points.
From here I was ordered to Greensboro, NC Overseas Replacement Depot, apparently to be part of the Occupation in Europe.
Other Memories
Sent here to participate in 'Project Wonderful'. By the time I arrived the Project was over or almost complete so I just hung around pending reassignment. Didn't have enough points to be discharged unfortunately.
The specifics on 'Project Wonderful' can be found on:
Other Memories
Sent here as a quota filler since they were reducing staff in preparation of shutting down Harlingen AAF. I'd rather have been discharged since the war was ending and they really didn't need me. But, I didn't have enough points for discharge.
I was attending a 30-day, 'Aviation Engineer Course'. Assigned add'l MOS 0081 upon completion.
Worst Moment
Transferred (probably in June 1945) because the war was ending and a plan was in place to close the air field. The pregnant wife was living off-base, so I sent her back to IN just before I departed for Geiger Field, WA.
Other Memories
I was assigned to the B-24 flight line to provide Communciation support to the A/C.
Periodically I was assigned to the Matagorda Gunnery Range, Laguna Madre, Padre Island, TX. While there I worked the Control Tower during Gunnery practice. If the A/C didn't have a Radio Operator I was assigned to perform that function during live firing. And when those guys unloaded their weapons that A/C would rock and roll!
I also was the Radio Operator when the Wing Commander made some cross country flights to visit his outposts. Not sure where we went, but I do recall we went to FL on one occasion. Seems like we made a trip to Panama once, a place that I would later be reassigned to.
Description The American Theater was a minor area of operations during World War II. This was mainly due to both North and South America's geographical separation from the central theaters of conflict in Europe aThe American Theater was a minor area of operations during World War II. This was mainly due to both North and South America's geographical separation from the central theaters of conflict in Europe and Asia. Thus, any threat by the Axis Powers to invade the mainland United States or other areas was considered negligible, allowing for American resources to be deployed in overseas theaters.
This article includes attacks on continental territory, extending 200 miles (320 km) into the ocean, which is today under the sovereignty of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several other smaller states, but excludes military action involving the Danish territory of Greenland, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Aleutian Islands. The most well known battles in North America during World War II were the Attack on Pearl Harbor (the first attack on US soil since the Battle of Ambos Nogales), the Aleutian Islands Campaign, the Battle of the St. Lawrence, and the attacks on Newfoundland.... More
Worst Moment
At the beginning of this training we were told we would be promoted to Corporal upon completion, but near the end they told us that wouldn't happen. They lied to us!
Other Memories
Upon completion of this training, I was transferred to San Antonio AAF for assignment. No idea why they couldn't have done that at Truax.
Worst Moment
1) Starting off living in 'Tent City' which was located on the Jungle Hotel Golf Course. Soon someone contracted a disease so many of us were reassigned to hotels. My life improved greatly at that point.
Other Memories
1) Boot camp was not held on any installation, it took place in the streets, on the beach or wherever they could find places to conduct it. On one occasion I recall being in the stands at a local ballpark for a Safety Lecture.
Other Memories
Attending a 19-week Radio Operator and Radio Mechanic Course.
Originally assigned to the Steven's Hotel, Chicago where I started this training, but in June 1943, we were all reassigned to Sioux Falls to complete the training. The Chicago Training Center was terminated and the hotel returned to civilian control.
This training was a conduit for follow-on Aerial Gunnery School for the majority of students. I was lucky and assigned to Control Tower School...I didn't realize how lucky I was to get this assignment.
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Sgt Ira Kinsler, Radio Operator (deceased) Sgt Walter Kozak, Deckhand (location and status unknown).
1) Getting enough points to qualify for discharge. 2) Promotion to Corporal shortly after arrival.
1) WO Cecil Nickerson, Boat Skipper (Deceased) 2) CO, 12th Emergency Rescue Boat Squadron 3) Hq, 6th Air Force
1) When I arrived I met with a SSgt who was responsible for Crash Boat assignments. His intention was to assign me to a Crash Boat on Galapagos Island at the Equator. I balked at that assignment since the war had just ended a few weeks earlier and I was afraid they'd forget about me being so far away. We 'negotiated' a closer assignment to Rey Island which was 60-100 miles from the mainland (Pacific side). It proved to be an interesting assignment. a. Rey Island had an Emergency Runway which is why the P-258 was assigned there. The Island also had a Radar Unit and a small base to support us all, including a small Dispensary, Mess Hall, barracks and a Club. We could get the key to the club anytime we wanted it as I recall. The CO of the site, a grounded pilot hardly ever came out of his houch but we were allowed to drive his jeep as needed, which wasn't often, but I would take it to fetch mail and stuff from incoming planes that landed occasionally. There was no control tower at this airfield. b. The Skipper of the P-258 was a WO and a pretty nice guy. Never bothered us with nonsense or useless details, but I was only with him a couple months before he rotated which left just three enlisted behind to main the boat before we were ordered to return it to the mainland in late Jan '46, which we did and walked away pending our transfer to CONUS. 2) I was assigned as the Engineer for the boat because they already had a Radio Operator, Sgt Ira Kinsler. 3) Caught a boat (either the SS Florida or the SS Monterey...but not the one that had brought me down) back to New Orleans, then boarded a train to the Separation Center, Camp Atterbury, IN. 4) We recently acquired a roll of 16mm microfilm from the Air Force Historical Research Agency and sent it off to be copied to a DVD so we can look at it on the PC. This roll of film has approximately 2000 documents from WWII pertaining to the AAF Crash Boat Squadrons. Should be an interesting read. 5) The 12th ERBS was activated on 2Jun44 and deactivated on 15Oct46. Prior to activation, it was the 926th Quartermaster Boat Company (Aviation). 6) Crash Boat P-258 was transferred to Bolling AFB, Washington, DC in 1950. While at Bolling it served as a crash boat and ferry. The crash boats were discontinued in the USAF on 30 June 1956. However, some boats at Bolling were maintained as Yachts, Crash Boats and Ferry Boats until 1973, but I don't know if the P-258 was retained that long or not. The final status of the P-258 at this time is unknown. What happened to it after it served its purpose at Bolling AFB?