The arrow points to the author a happy A&E Graduate, in front of a Douglas B-18 Bomber in May 1940.

The Author Lee Webster had just turned 19 in March and was now taking his first big step toward what turned out to be a forty-year aviation career. By completion of the Army Air Corps (A&E) Aircraft and Engine training course at Hickam Field on the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. 

For this first issue of my web site this will conclude my experiences as a member of the 50th Squadron, 11th Bomb Group

With two Army Air Corps Buddies, taken outside exit 
door of our wing of the Consolidated Barracks to 
celebrate being promoted to Sergeant, in 1941. Huston 
on my right & Henry on left. Shortly after this was taken 
they transferred to Clark Field, Philippines and on their 
“Day of Infamy” 12/08/41 RP time, were taken prisoner 
by the Japanese and held in Japan until end of WW2. 
While prisoner of war (POW) they were tortured, badly 
beaten and suffered severe malnutrition that caused 
their early deaths. 

Below is another photo of us. L to R, Me, Wallie 
Huston and Henry Quick. Wallie was in a wheel chair 
until his death, just a few short years after the war. 
Henry lived several years longer but died too early!

After I was promoted to Sergeant I was issued my Special Privilege pass card. and 
I recall this period as being a proud, happy one.

At the time I made Sergeant in 1941 I also got my Honolulu T. H.
drivers license. This was another proud period in my young life.

This is my Squadron, 50/431 Bomb Squadron, of 11th Bomb Group (H), taken at Hickam Field in mid 1941, with our first Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” Airplane. Having four Curtis Wright 1820-65 Engines with waste-gate turbo exhaust superchargers for high altitude performance. These were the early model B-17 planes which did not have tail-guns and knowing this the Japanese Zero’s shot most of them down soon after we deployed to the Solomon Islands with them in 1942. We later were supplied with the B-24’s. The Author, in circle, was in training as Flight Engineer on this Airplane at the time this photo was taken. Above right side of Squadron B-17 Picture. add the following caption: From the below photo’s you can see, the Army Air Corps was not all Work and no Play. The snapshot on L, was taken on my 20th Birthday 03/19/41 by placing a quarter in one of those Snapshot Photo Machines. The one’s to the right of it were at our favorite beach on south side of Oahu, adjacent and east of famous “Blow Hole”. Note how un-crowded the beaches were in those days prior to WW2.