Hear an oral history of Randall Cooper's  experiences in World War II.

Randall Cooper flew P-40's and P-51's in the Pacific during World War II.  He flew over 100 combat missions and was a member of 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Air Medal with  4 Oak Leaf Clusters.  Randall was recently honored with the Book of Golden Deeds by the Noon Exchange Club of Garland.

Randall Cooper was born in the community of Pleasant Valley outside of Garland in 1916. He was the 6th child of 12 children born to Boone and Mabel Cooper. He attended several different schools including one year at Garland High School. When he was 17 years old, he went to the San Angelo area to work on a ranch. During the depression years he worked for his future brother-in-law in the house moving business, including moving several buildings in preparation for the Texas Centennial celebration at Fair Park. He learned about the concrete business while moving houses and other buildings.

On May 23, 1941, Randall married Winona, the sister-in-law of his employer, Homer Gardner. The Monday after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he started work at Southern Aircraft (later Intercontinental Manufacturing and now General Dynamics). He then volunteered to serve in the Army Air Corps and qualified to train as a pilot. He was commissioned as an officer and flew P-40's and P-51's in the Pacific during World War II. He flew over 100 combat missions and was a member of 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. He has the dubious distinction of surviving 3 separate air crashes. One mission of particular note occurred when he led an element of a flight that discovered a Japanese ship convoy near the Philippines. While on a strafing run he was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He parachuted into the ocean and paddled his life raft ashore to the Japanese controlled island. He hid overnight on the island and the next morning made contact with some Philippine natives. He was rescued that day by American forces in an operation mounted under tremendous Japanese fire. Randall provided Army intelligence with information regarding enemy placements on the island and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. This operation occurred seven days after his first son was born. Randall exemplified the best traditions of the American citizen soldier by serving with honor when needed and returning to normal life when the job was done.

After World War II, Randall continued in the house moving business until 1947 when he founded Cooper Concrete Co. Starting as a concrete contractor, he worked out of his home on 15th Street in Garland until 1952. That year he became one of the first ready mix concrete suppliers in the area with the purchase of three 3 cubic yard mixer trucks. Cooper Concrete also moved to 5th Street, just north of downtown Garland. As the business grew, Randall was joined by several of his brothers and other relatives in the business. In 1964, the concrete contracting business was split off to a separate company, Garland Concrete. Randall was innovative in recognizing several construction trends and filling a niche in the local industry. He was also ahead of his time in hiring and promoting minority employees, including involving them as partners in the companies he founded. His business dealings have always been signified by integrity, fairness, kindness, and loyalty.

Randall has served his church, First United Methodist, as an active member of his Sunday School class and service on the Administrative Board. He established the Grady Cooper Scholarship Fund in honor of the memory of his brother Grady, a children’s Sunday School teacher at FUMC. Over 200 college students have advanced their educations through the help of the scholarship funds. Despite never attending college himself, Randall has always been concerned that young people live up to their full potential by receiving the best education possible.

Randall is a past president of the Garland Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and sang in the Rotary Chorus. He has served on the board of the Garland Chamber of Commerce and several community boards and committees. He and several relatives made the largest single park land donation in City of Garland history. He coached and sponsored Little League baseball teams. He and Winona were active supporters of their children’s Boy Scout and Camp Fire Girl activities.

Perhaps the most important characteristic of Randall’s life was his devotion to his wife Winona for 55 years until her death in 1997. Together they sacrificed and worked to raise their five children with love and kindness. A testament to their parenting skills is the fact that all five of their children work together in the family businesses.

 

The following is the day by day journal of M/Sgt.  W.E. Ursprung of the 71st TRG.  Copies of the journal were given to members of the 71st at one of their reunions.

Here is one of the most incredible accounts of World War II you will ever read.

W.E. Ursprung's Journal

Seventy-first Group left Laurel, Mississippi, September 23, 1943, - arrived Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, on September 25, 1943. While at Camp Patrick Henry, we were completely outfitted with heavy winter gear. The Chief and armourers were equipped with tools. We boarded troop train on October 6th, and rode to the docks at Hampton Rhodes, Virginia. -there we boarded the USS General John Pope, a new twin-screw ship making her maiden voyage. Everyone figured with the winter gear, that we were headed for Europe. After sailing three days, we woke up the morning of October 9th and realized the ship was not moving. Everyone went topside and found that we were anchored at San Cristobal, Panama. It was then we realized we were going to the Pacific.

We passed thru the Panama Canal on October 10, 1943. We crossed the equator on October 13th, crossed the International Dateline on October 24th. We docked at Brisbane, Australia, on October 29th -took on additional supplies and troops and sailed from Brisbane that night.

November 1, - Anchored off Townsville, Australia.

November 3, - Anchored at Milane Bay, New Guinea.

November 4, - (Midnight) -disembarked from the USS General John Pope onto amphibious trucks that carried us over to the Van Heetsz (Dutch Ship).

November 6, - The Van Heetsz docked at Milane Bay, New Guinea, where we unloaded all our equipment and supplies and set up camp at .Ahionia, New Guinea.

November 21 - We boarded the SS Steinmetz (Australian Ship) and left Milane Bay -arrived at Ore bay, New Guinea on November 22nd. Had an air raid at 3:00 PM at the Docks and another raid at midnight in our camp area. Charles Morris was hit by a truck as everyone ran for cover during the air raid at the docks. We set up camp at Dobodura, Hionda.

November 23 - I was promoted to Sergeant.

November 24 - We received our airplanes, P-39's.

November 25 - THANKSGIVING DAY'- had turkey.

November 27 - Our planes flew their first mission, escorting B-25's.

December 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY - we worked all day and up into the night changing engines on our P-39's.

December 26 - Cape Gloucester, New Britian invasion. Our planes flew cover for the Marines.

1944

January 1 - NEW YEARS DAY - worked all day changing engine on S/Sgt. Winkle's plane "Snooks". Lt. Shomo was his pilot.

January 9 - Lt. Bailey was shot down.

January 15 - I made S/Sgt.

January 19 - Lt. Bailey found alive on Long Island.

January 21 - Saw a movie "Nightmare" - Marines shot up our second P-39.

January 21 - Had pancakes for breakfast again this morning -haven't missed a day since November 22nd.

January 22 - S/Sgt. Edwards' plane "Calamity Ann" caught fire and burned up on the runway. Our pilots shot up 65-barges, 1-Val, 2-Betty's and 2-Sloops.

January 23 Sunday -we all went swimming in the river and had Church Sunday evening, -Chaplain Smith. Received report of 5th Army invasion of West Germanv. Seen another movie "Laurel & Hardy", in "Air Raid Wardens

January 24 Fifth Army reported 15-miles from Rome.

 January 27 - Lt. Bailey awarded Purple Heart.

January 29 - Engine change on Sgt. Chervanks plane. Photographer took pictures of 'B' Flight.

January 31 - Lt. Webber and Lt. Shomo destroyed 1-Tony, 1-Betty, 6-Gasoline trucks, 6-Ammo trucks, and several oil trucks at Alexishafen. Had an all-out bomber attack on Wewak. Our pilots now have 100-Barges to their credit. Red alert during night -no air raid.

February 1 - We received typhus and tetanus shots. I am Sgt. of the Guard tonight.

February 4 - Our planes made their first bombing mission today.

February 5 - 17th Squadron had tough luck today. One of their top gunners got his head blown off and one of their B-25's come in on her belly.

March 1 - Lt. Graham crashed near Saidor while strafing barges.

March 3 - T/Sgt. Deets laid his leg open using a bayonette while trying to cut a path into the jungle brush. Received report that Jap counter-attack on Admiralties repulsed.

March 4 - Received orders at 8:00 PM to load all our heavy equipment aboard ship for Saidor -worked all night.

March 6 - Lt. Zaleski (Zero Zeke) crashed into the jungle while buzzing our engineering section.

March 7 - Lt. Zaleski buried. I was member of firing squad. March 15 - Our 500th combat mission completed today.

March 16 - Lt. Borders returned from Australia and threw party for engineering section Score - 24-quarts liquor. I was Sergeant of the Guard 'hic hic

March 23 - Two officers of the 417th thought they saw a Jap walking down the road carrying a rifle. Members of the 417th cornered the suspect, fired upon him -result, one dead native. Received report that Marines had occupied Emirau and Elomusio Islands, 550-miles from Truk.

March 28 - Porter, Norton, DeCarlo and myself flew to Goodenough Island in a B-25. We were on D.S. to crew four of our P-39's, who adjusted artillery fire for the first corps which is getting ready to invade Hansa Bay and Wewack.

March 31 - We returned from Goodenough Island.

April 3 - Lt. Borders crashlanded in the ocean after engine quit. PT-boat picked him up. He was uninjured.

April 5 - Our air eschelon moved to Saidor via C-47's. Our planes started operating from Saidor. There was a bombing raid on Saidor on April 6th at 11:00 PM: 22-killed, 30-injured. We had two more alerts during the night but no more raids.

April 7 - Three air raid alerts during night -no bombs dropped. Capt. Elvin replaced Major Gordon as CO of the 82nd.

April 10 EASTER SUNDAY - Chaplain Smith came over at 3:00 PM to hold Easter Services. Lt. Diffederfer was shot down by Jap ack ack this afternoon. His ship exploded in the air and plunged into the sea. We had two air alerts during the night.

April 11 Three air raid alerts -"Piss-call Charlie" dropped five bombs.

April 12 Three air raid alerts -no bombs dropped.

April 17 Torrential rains -11-planes cracked up landing here after staging air raid on Hollandia- 40-planes lost. Bogajim captured by Aussies.

April 22 Hollandia and Tadji invaded.

April 23 - Tadji air strip in operation.

April 27 - Dead Jap washed up on our river bank in back of our camp.

May 4 - Torrential rains during night -bridges over Nankina River washed out, couldn't reach air strip. Started making preparations to move. We received typhus shots today. Today is my second anniversary in the Air Force.

May 13 - 707-Prisoners rescued from Japs at Hollandia. Prisoners included Aussies, Yanks, Chinese, etc. There were reports that the Jap had nailed some of the Chinese to palm trees and drove spikes into their foreheads.

Mav 14 - 13-Japs killed, eight miles from our camp. 31 more Japs found dead from starvation.

May 15 - Capt Moody, Lt. Borders went on D.S. to Hollandia to work with ground troops there.

May 18 - Wakde invaded -minor opposition.

May 21 - Lt. Harris failed to return from morning mission. Shot down over Hansa Bay. He was flying S/Sgt Winkles ship 'Snooks". Capt. Holson and T/Sgt. Krueger exposed black market ring operating at Saidor.

May 25 - Received two P-40N's for pilots transition training.

Mav 26 - Movie tonight "Adventures of Mark Twain" starring Frederick March and Alexis Smith.

May 27 - Movie "Roxie Hart", starring Ginger Rogers. Biak invaded today and expected to end the New Guinea campaign.

Mav 28 82nd Squadron alerted to move to Biak.

May 29 One B-25, One P-47 shot down by our own troops at Biak.

June 1 We received gin and brandy from Australia today. A S/Sgt from the 17th committed suicide today.

June 2 - Started loading LST for our headquarters and non-air eschelon group move to Biak. John Butler went insane today.

June 3 - Squadron boarded LST to sail for Hollandia (45 of us stayed behind to continue operating from here until the air strip is ready at Biak).

June 4 - The Sunday Jinx hit us again. A P-47 ran into S/Sgt Egolf's ship and wrecked it. Lt. Murphy cracked up one of our P-40's in landing.

June .5 - Received news of the fall of Rome. Three Jap Navy task forces sighted moving towards New Guinea, 51-ships in one of the convoys. We have only 8-Navy vessels in the area.

June 6 - Received news of the European invasion.

June 7 - Promoted to T/Sgt.

June 8 - 17th Squadron sank 4-destroyers and they lost 3-B25's. Japs raided Wadke and damaged all but five ships. A B-24 hit a stalled plane on the runway tonight and blew up. Only two of the crew got out.

June 22 - Went to hospital at midnight with severe case of food poisioning. Released June 24th.

June 26 - Lt. Grenda test hopping Cpl. Calderon's ship and crashed into sea -one mile from end of runway. He was lost. We are alerted to move to Owi Island, which is just across bay from Biak.

June 28 - Our air eschelon left Saidor at 6:10 AM via C-47's -arrived at Owi Island at 10:40 AM. Owi Island is in the Schouten Island group. Two red alerts today, one raid.

June 29 - One red alert, 2:30 AM -no raid.

June 30 - Two red alerts, no raids. Issued a quart of Jap beer today. Our planes bombed Noemfoor today.

July 1 - Our planes flew several bombing missions on Noemfoor today. Invasion fleet passed by our beach at 5:30 PM. Our squadron destroyed 5-jap planes on Noemfoor strip. Had: five red alerts during the night -no bombs dropped.

July 5 - Lt. Webber crash landed S/Sgt Winkle's P-40. One red alert, 1:30 AM, -6 bombs dropped on Mokemer Drome.

July 6 - Three red alerts, five raids -11 men injured.

July 8 - Two alerts, two raids.

July 10 - Three alerts, no bombs dropped.

Julv 12 - Squadron started moving to Biak -two alerts, no raids.

July 14 - I left for Biak at 10:00 PM with trucks and supplies -waited all night on the docks. Arrived at Biak at 8:00 AM.

Julv 15 - I returned to Owi at 6:30 PM via C-47. Red alert at 6:00 AM, no bombs.

Julv 17 - Air eschelon went back to Biak via barge and set up our camp site.

July 20 - 17th ran recon to Philippines -sank a freighter. Lt. Shomo and Lt. Webber of the 82nd shot up 8-trucks, sank 4-barges and a 40-foot boat on New Guinea.

July 21 - Had a report that Hitler and some of his Generals were injured in a bomb explosion -Tojo and cabinet resigned.

Julv 22 - John Butler committed suicide. We received six P-39's Q-20 from Guadalcanal.

July 24 - Cpl. Schaffer was killed and Cpl. Heath is not expected to live. They were hit in the head by an airplane wing while riding on a truck at the air strip. Lt. Liscomb received second degree burns when he crashed S/Sgt Winkles ship on the runway.

July 25 - Cpl. Heath died at 3:00 PM -air raid at 9:00 PM.

July 26 - I was pallbearer at Cpl. Heath and Cpl. Schaffer's funeral.

July 27 - 1000-plane raid on Halmaharas. July 28 - Red alert at 3:00 AM.

July 29 - Lindberg shot down a Jap plane while flying a P-38 here today. A P-38 developed engine trouble on takeoff and crashed into another P-38. The pilot was killed and four mechanics injured.

July 30 - Air raid at 9:30 Ml -heaviest ack ack barrage I have seen. Seven men killed at Owi while camped in our old camp area there.

July 31 - Capt. Pictor replaced Major Elvin as CO of the 82nd. Capt. Carr, Lt's Weinstine and Murphy returned to the States today. Two alerts, -one of the Jap planes was shot down by a nightfighter.

August 1 - Sorong, New Guinea invaded. 17th has B-25 down between Nadaab and Biak. There are nine men aboard, including Lt. Poland from the 82nd.

August 4 - Air raid at 4:00 AM.

August 6 - Red alert at 3:00 AM.

August 7 - Fat cat arrived from Australia -we had T-Bone Steaks.

August 8 - Today is my Birthday - I am 26-years old.

August 9 - Lt. Plahn bailed out over Manokawri. His plane was on fire -he was flying S/Sgt Suhanich's plane. Lt. Plahn rescued by PBY. Received letter today informing me that my sister Francis had an 8-pound baby girl named Donna Sue.

August 10 - Lt. Wells was shot in back of head while flying mission over Maniquari. He made an emergency landing at Noemfoor.

August 11 - Japan, Sumatra and the Philippines bombed. Red alert from 3:00 AM - 6:00 AM -3-raids. Fires were started on Owi. One gas dump was hit.
4-B-24's, 4-B-25's, and a P-38 damaged. One Jap plane shot down by a nightfighter (P-61). Jap plane shot one engine out of nightfighter.

August 12 - Yanks on outskirts of Paris.

August 15 - S-2 intercepted Jap message stating they were going to gas and bomb Owi off the map tonight -no raid.

August 20 - Lt. Thomas brought S/Sgt. Trujille's ship in on it's belly. August 27 - P-61 landed on top, of B-25 which was making landing at same
time. Both ships destroyed. Red alert at 3:30 A@l.

August 28 - S/Sgt. Suhanich's 'P-40 undershot field in landing and crashed.

August 29 - Formal opening of "Club Cobra" -beer, cheese and meat. Show was Eddie Cantor in "Show Business".

August 30 - B-25 crashed on beach today by our camp -five men burned up.

September 1 - First daylight raid on Philippines. Red alert at 9:00 PM, 8-bombs dropped.

September 2 - Three of our planes failed to return from mission on New Guinea. Lt. Bailey, Lt. Ronning, & Lt. Rice's planes.

September 3 - Morning search mission -no sighting. Red alert 9:00 PM.

September 6 - Three alerts, one raid. Two men killed on Owi. Jap Sally shot down by nightfighter.

September 8-- Red alert at 2:30 AM -four raids. Four Jap planes out of ten were shot down by nightfighter.

September 13- We are now operating with P-40's. Engine change on S/Sgt. Winkle's P-40 "Snooks".

September 15- Admiral Halsey's 3rd Fleet has knocked out 52-Jap boats and over 200-Jap planes in the south and central Philippines in the past two days.

September 16- Morutai and Palau invaded.

September 18- Received new P-40's.

September 22- Lt. Carner cracked up Joe Suhanich's ship on takeoff. Manila was raided today.

September 25- Lt. Prindaville's plane caught fire shortly after takeoff. He lost his head and parachuted at too low an altitude and drowned.

September 27- Our squadron water detail sailed today for Morutai.

October 6 - 82nd had their first anniversary overseas.

October 8 - Received twenty new P-40-N-35CU from Los Negras Island. Red alert at 3:00 AM.

October 9 - Red alert 4:30 AM.

October 15 - Pacific fleet hit Luzon and Formosa -over 400 Jap planes downed at Formosa. We lost 22-planes. B-29's participated in Formosa raid.

October 17 - Air eschelon received orders to move to Morutai at 7:00 PM. Started loading planes.

October 18 - Left Biak at 8:00 AM, aboard C-47. Arrived Morutai at 11:05 AM. Deets, Smith, Egolf, Porter, Reardon and myself set up tent. Red alert 6:30 PM.

October 20 - Philippines invaded (Leyte).

October 22 - Heavy infantry fighting in back of our camp -artillery fired all night.

October 25 - Three alerts -one raid.

October 26 - Air raid at 10:30 PM.

October 30 - Lt. Schussle shot down over Halmahara.

October 31 - Five Jap fighters came in for low level strafing attack at 5:30 AM -four of them were shot down.

November 1 - Lt. Alfred bailed out 170-miles from Morutai when selector valve stuck on Sgt. Smith's plane. 82nd mission today, shot up 7-schooners, 1-sugar charlie, 1-lugger, 1-barge, near Philippines.

November 6 - Three air raids. Three of our P-40's destroyed, 7-damaged. Three B-24's destroyed and 4-damaged. Two Jap planes shot down by nightfighter. Our ack ack ineffective.

November 7 Two raids in early morning.

November 9 Two raids in early morning, two Jap planes shot down by ack ack over strip and crashed into four B-25's. Night- fighter shot down one Jap plane.

November 10 - Ten of our P-40's transferred to 110th at Leyte. Finished engine change an S/Sgt. Subanich's ship.

November 11 - Three air raids between 2:30 and 5:30 AM. Nightfighters shot down two Jap planes.

November 12 - Two air raids between 3:30 AM and 4:30 AM - no damage.

November 13 - Two air raids. Air eschelon alerted to move to Leyte.

November 14 - Two air raids.

November 15 - No alerts.

November 16 - one air raid.

November 19 - Two alerts -one raid.

November 22 - Two hour raid from 8:30 PM to.10:30 PM. Japs destroyed six B-24's, damaged thirty B-24's, destroyed six Australian A-20's, damaged six A-20's. Hit 13th Air Force area killing three men. Our ack ack got one definite, one probable. Nightfighter claimed two ships. Our ack ack shot landing gear off nightfighter.

November 23 - THANKSGIVING DAY Lt. Duboose hit in right hand by Jap ack ack, over Balmahara. Lost thumb and index finger, ring compound fracture. Blackout tonight -one alert 7:30 PM.

November 24 - Two alerts, 1:30 AM and 3:30 AM -raid at 3:30 AM. Japs destroyed four beaufighters, damaged four beaufighters, one B-24 destroyed, several damaged.

November 25 - Three alerts, one raid. Japs destroyed one B-24, three
Aussie beaufighters damaged, one beaufigb:er, several B-24's, and four of our P-40's down. P-38 shot down two japs.

November 26 - Three alerts, two raids. Japs destroyed one B-24, one P-47, damaged several B-24's and P-47's. One gun position knocked out. Japs jam our radar system. Lt's. Howell and Pittman shot up a Navy B-34 and wounded two gunners. Lt. Lott hit two trees while straffing in Halmaharas. Brought ship back safely.

November 27 - B-25 hit jap strip in Balmaharas -one alert, no raids. 312th Ordinance has been hit in the last two raids, eight men killed.

November 28 - Two alerts, -air raid at 4:00 AM. Squadron alerted for Jap banzi attack. Received six P-51's today -they are the first 51's in the Pacific area.

November 29 - One alert -one raid at 3:00 AM. 11-Jap planes dropped 40- bombs. Five P-47's and six B-34's destroyed -several other ships damaged.

November 30 - Pulled guard on the line -no raids.

December 1 - Capt. Shomo taxied into back of truck witb P-51. - P-51's flew their first mission in Southwest Pacific area -they sank three barges. Sgt. Conrad of the 25th comitted suicide.

December 3 - One jap plane over at 1:30 AM -no bombs dropped.

December 4 - Six of our new P-51's started from Biak -only four arrived (bad weather). All planes on search mission in the morning.

December 5 - Lt. Garner picked up by Aussie boat, Lt. Richards still missing.

December 6 - Air raid at 3:50 AM.

December 7 - Three of our ships shot up over Balmahara. Lt. Alfred had to bail out of one ship. He was picked up by PT boat. Air raid from 3:50 AM to 5:00 AM.

December 8 - Air alert at 2:40 AM -nightfighter shot dowm one of the Jap planes before they reached island. Other plane turned back.

December 9 - Two raids at 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM.

December 10 - Lt. Franklin bailed out of S/Sgt Sutton's P-51 when engine quit while switching tanks. He forgot to turn on booster pump.

December 13 - Storm hit camp about 7:00 PM. B-25 crashed on road by camp when he undershot strip -he couldn't see strip for rain.

December 14 - Air raid at 3:30 AM -bomb hit in foxhole of camp next to ours killing three man and injuring two more.

December 15 - Mendora in the Philippines invaded.

December 16 - Air raid at 3:00 AM.

December 17 - Started crewing P-40 today -Lt. Lake is my pilot.

December 19 - Air raid at 3:00 AM.

December 20 - Air raid at 8:00 AM.

December 21 - Guard tonight on line -all out air attack starts tomorrow on Halmahara. We are sending up 42-ships.

December 22 - Air raid at 3:00 AM -three men killed, ten wounded.

December 23 - We flew 52 sorties today.

December 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE - Lt. Lake gave me a quart of whiskey. Several of the officers gave their crew chief's whiskey, -Tribble, Robideaux, Beak, Jannigan, Hoffman, Melton, Hillard and myself really got drunk. Four red alerts, one raid by five Jap Betty's. Ack ack shot down two Betty's and a Spitfire shot down one.

December 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY - What a hangover. Turkey and all the trimmings -four red alerts, one raid.

December 26 - Five alerts, two raids.

December 27 - One alert, one raid.

December 28 - Jap task force repulsed at Mindora. Two transports and three destroyers destroyed -one battleship hit. Jap reinforcements landed -we are alerted to fly to Mindora at midnight tomorrow night.

December 29 - Loaded planes for Mindora. Left Moratai at 1:30 AM via C-47.

December 30 - Arrive Tacloban, Leyte at 5:00 AM. Left Tacloban at 7:00 AM for Mendora with fighter escort. Turned back one hour out of Leyte due to engine trouble. Landed at Tenehan Leyte. Reported to group headquarters for lodging -two red alerts.

December 31 - NEW YEARS EVE - went to cockfights -one red alert.

1945

Januarv 1 -Turkey for lunch. Started loading plane at 11:00 AM for Mendora -air raid at 1:00 AM.

Januarv 2 -Arrived Mendora at 9:00 AM -dug foxhole. Continuous air raids from 11:30 AM to 7:00 AM. Japs destroyed 20-drums of gasoline and six P-38's. Four Jap planes shot down -ack ack very weak and ineffective. Lt. Burrud and Lt. Penske shot down two Jap planes over Luzon. Eight of our P-51's sank two Jap freighters loaded with troops. Our planes sank Sugar Charlie yesterday. Lt. Cooper shot down by ack ack near Luzon, -picked up by guerillas and put aboard PBY.

January 3 -Four air raids -two Jap planes shot down. Japs destroyed four P-38's.

January 4 -We had to move our camp down into the valley. Three air raids. Japs hit ammo ship in harbor. We are very low on gasoline. Navy task force passed here in afternoon.

January 5 -One air raid. All planes on fighter strip are grounded due to mud.

January 7 -We lost seven ships today. Lt. Franklin was killed when Lt. Malone landed too close to him and chopped his ship up. (60- trucks',.1-locomotive, 40-boxcars.)

January 9 -Luzon invaded. Four beach-heads established.

January 10 -Capt. Shomo shot down one Val. We destroyed three planes on the ground. We destroyed 22 small boats. Lt. Pittman shot down on Luzon coast -he bailed out at 3000 feet.

January 11 -We really had a field day today, 11-nips. Lt. Havilt shot down one, Lt. Lipscomb three, Capt. Shoma set a new record by knocking down seven nips in 15-minutes. Capt Shomo and Lt. Lipscomb knocked down ten out of thirteen nips.

January 12 - All planes will be grounded today and tomorrow due to heavy rains.

Januarv 15 - Started loading planes at 7:30 PM for Luzon. Worked all night.

January 16 - Left Mendora at 11:15 AM via C-47 -arrived Lingayan, Luzon, 1:15 AM. F/0 Howell killed while straffing on Luzon. Truncellite drowned while swimming in surf. Kenyon and F/0 Sanders taken to hospital.

January 17 - Setup camp on bank of Angro River -we have a good house boy named David Bantista.

January 20 - Lt. McAlpin shot down a Jap Oscar -air raid at 8:00 PM.

January 28 - Air raid at 2:30 AM. My plane was put out of service today. The right wing was shot up while on a mission to Ft. Stockton, Clark Field. Deets, Robideaux and myself visited Dagupan. Three Toni's slipped in and dropped three bombs on the town.

January 30 - Lt. Reese undershot the runway and killed four Phillipinoes
and one GI -several other Phillipinoes injured.

February 9 - Lt. Roehl shot down over Clark Field in S/Sgt. Norton's P-51. Guerillas picked him up.

February 10 - Engine change tomorrow on my P-51.

Februarv 18 - Lt. Reese slow-rolled over Manila Bay and spun-in, in Sgt. Cordoro's ship.

Februarv 21 - Lt. Cox bailed out over Jap territory when S/Sgt. Dundon's plane was shot up.

March 1 - Two air raids by twenty-six Jap bombers. Our new club opened with plentv of liquor. We had ice cream for supper.

March 8 Visited Manila - -First shack job in 18-months. Roosevelt died.

March 15 B-25 dropped a 1000-pound bomb on runway while landing - The bomb explodes and the ship caught fire. Mike Kostich was hit in the buttocks -Benjamin's right leg was blown off at the knee. Several of our P-51's were damaged.

March 20 General Whitehead awarded medals to various members of the group at a formation on the strip.

March 22 Three hour alert. Our ack ack damaged one B-24, three B-25's and one P-61.

April 3 - Stood review today for presentation of Congressional Medal of Honor to Maj. Shomo. General Whitehead made presentation.

April 25 - Went to hospital-.with yellow Jaundice.

April 30 - Evacuated to hospital at Leyte.

May 8 - Germany surrendered.

May 10 - Returned to squadron from hospital.

May 21 - S/Sgt. Sullivan drowned trying to swim across river.

May 26 - Our truck stolen while on one day leave to Manila -stayed at Bilibid prison during night.

Junp 2 - Lt. Meiners shot down over Formosa -sixteen plane mission tomorrow.

June 3 - Lt. Meiners picked up by "Cat" off coast of Formosa.

June 28 - Twenty three men have-been selected for T.D. to the States.

June 16 - Lt. Matson lost flying speed while landing and crashed at end of strip -killing himself and demolishing plane (Sgt.' Smith's ship).

July 17 - Heavy Naval strikes started on Jap home Islands.

July 18 - We are alerted to move to small island between Kyushu and Okinawa. I am on list of ten to go home on furlough in August.

July 25 - Loaded aboard C-46 and flew to Porac. Slept under wing of plane.

July 26 - Left Porac at 8:00 AM for IE Shima. Flew over Okinawa and landed at IE Shima at 1:15 AM. Rain and wind squalls -set up tent in mud. Three Japs tried to steal rations during night.

July 27 - Four alerts, two raids.

July 28 - Our planes arrived from Luzon -one alert. Went to strip at 2:00 AM to gas planes for early mission.

July 30 - Two alerts. Our planes destroyed nine locomotives on Kyushu, several small boats, passenger coaches and box cars.

July 31 - Our planes destroyed thirteen locomotives on Kyushu. I stayed. on strip until 2:30 AM gasing planes. Lt. Huck shot down off Kyushu -B-17 dropped boat to Lt. Huck.

August 1 - Moved to new camp area -typhoon started blowing in.

August 3 - Typhoon has been blowing for three days.

August 4 - Clear today -we resumed flying. Our planed destroyed seven locomotives and six probables.

August 5 - Lt. Burrud spun-in while strafing train on Kyushu. Our planes destroyed eighteen locomotives, several trucks and small boat. 425-planes struck Kyushu from this base and 1200-Naval planes hit Kyushu.

August 6 - Our planes continued their assault on Kyushu. Air raid at 3:00 AM

August 7 - Air raid at 2.00 AM.

August 8 - Air raid at 12:15 AM and 3:00 AM. Eight P-51's destroyed and several damaged. B-25 caught fire aiid exploded on takeoff. I am 27-years old today. Spent day digging foxhole.

August 9 - Russia declared-war on Japan. Second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.

August 10 - Japan has asked for peace -two alerts.

August 11 - Officials are considering Jap surrender.

August 13 - Lt. Sanders shot down a Jap Oscar today over Kyushu. We are still sweating the Japs out for an answer to peace proposal.

August 14 - 110th shot down six out of eight Jap fighters, Major Nolan getting three. Two red alerts.

August 15 - It was officially announced this morning that Japan has surrendered. 400-hour inspection. We have been alerted to move to Honshu. Red alert at 7:15 PM. Nightfighters shot down two Jap planes. Two bombs dropped on Okinawa.

August 17 - T.D. quota arrived today -I am one of the lucky ones (or unlucky). Show tonight "Rhapsody in Blue". Jap Premier committed suicide. The Japs have asked for twelve more days.

August 19 - Jap peace envoys landed here at noon today. They arrived in two Betty Bombers, painted white with green crosses on them. They were at this field for 42-minutes. They boarded a C-54 to fly to Manila to confer with General MacArthur. Received a letter today advising me Mother had been operated on.

August 26 - Japs met with MacArthur Staff for the second day. Reardon and I took pictures of the Jap Betty Bombers, Ernie Pyle's monument Okinawa, etc.

August 27 - Thirty nine men are due to leave today for the States on the point system. All men with 85-points and above are leaving. This includes M/Sgt. Deets, S/Sgt. Norton, S/Sgt. Winkle, six men are due to leave on T.D. (Reardon, Mosier, Renninger, Suhanich, Henderson, Leahman.) I have been put in for promotion to M/Sgt.

August 28 - Saw Kay Kyser's show tonight.

August 29 - Just about given up hope on T.D. orders. On guard 6 - 9:00 PM.

August 31 - I was promoted to M/Sgt. today. Orders were dated August 30. I transferred to 'A' flight today. Porter and Smith were promoted to S/Sgt. and Egolf was promoted to T/Sgt.

September 2 - VJ-Day - Dick Jurgens and his Marine Band gave an excellent show here today. Movie "Twice Blessed".

September 3 - Critical score lowered to 80 -still no TD.

September 6 - Lt. Cogburn crashed into bay off Kyushu when his oil pressure dropped to zero.

September 10- Appointed 'A' Flight Chief.

September 17- Typhoon hit during night -leveled all our buildings.

September 18- My TD orders came in today -leave for Okinawa at 8:15 AM tomorrow.

September 19- Flew from IE Shima to Lingayen, via B-25 (17th). Changed Ship and pilot at Lingayen and flew to Nielson Field, Manila. Reported to 138th Replacement Companv. They say our air priority order is no good here. Mud is ankle deep.

September 25- Ed Wa1sh and I visited Manila today. We ate several meals and I purchased a few souveniers -visit cost me $45.00. We are still sweating out a ride to the United States.

October 1 - Still sweating out transportation. They have passed Walsh and me up -getting men with VE day scores out. Gibboney and Inderbitzen left yesterday.

October 10 - Saw broadway production of "Kiss & Tell" tonight.

October 11 - Epedemic of spinal menegits reported in camp.

October 18 - Ed and I received our shipping orders. We took influenza shots. We start loading on the General Brewster at 4:00 PM.

October 19 - We sailed from Manila at 7:00 AM.

October 25 - "Brewster's" course changed today. We are to dock at Victoria, B.D., and unload British Canadians, Dutch, and Eskimo P.W's. We will then proceed to Seattle, Washington, Where the troops will unload.

October 29 - Changed course again. San Francisco now our destination.

November 2 - Blower burned out in engine room. Speed reduced. Our arrival in Frisco will be delayed.

November 3 - Docked at San Francisco - WHAT A SIGHT that Golden Gate Bridge is. We disembarked by States. The Eyes of Texas never sounded better.

November 3 After we disembarked, got on riverboat and went to Camp Stoneman at Pittsburg, California. Arrived there aboutt 2:00 AM in the morning. The mess balls were all lit up and German POW's served us. No one could get enough sweet milk. They served it in big pitchers. We finally got around to eating steaks.

November 4 Received a call from home saying my Mother was dying. Got an emergency leave. Could not get a ride by plane, so caught a bus to Albuquerque, New Mexico. When I arrived there, the bus drivers were on strike, and I was stranded. Finally, a ticket agent (young lady-I will never forget), bumped someone off a plane and gave me their seat.

November 6 - Arrived Houston around 3:00 PM -went straight to the hospital and stayed with my Mother all night. She died at 4:30 AM the next morning, November 7th. She was 49-years old.

W. E. Ursprung

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