LAST WEEK

" . . . the President has appointed and commissioned you in the Army of the United States."

Thus, graduation week brings to reality the first goal of a cadet . . . a goal attained months after the date of his enlistment. He stands ready to receive his commission as an officer.

The gradual change from students, bookkeepers, salesmen or whatever they have been into cool capable proficient air crew members qualified for any eventuality is not slow but it is sure. Many others have not been able to make the grade; some were disqualified for physical reasons, others couldn't meet the academic qualifications, but those who did, have been given the best of training. The most modern equipment, the latest information and training aids overseen by excellent instructors have molded the cadets into capable navigators.

Thousands of cadets have emerged from the navigation schools and now are overseas bringing their bombers on their targets and returning them to their bases. That is what they have been trained to do.

This is the story of one of those cadets. For sixteen months, Harry J. Coleman has worn the cadet insignia on his sleeve. From the date of his enlistment until 44-9 when graduated from Selman Field, Coleman has stood formation and inspections, gone on flights and to classes taken physical training and eaten at the mess hall. He had no trouble with his classes as long as he studied. His flights improved with practice. His general average was 86. He is a long way now from his college days when he worked his way through Pre-law at the University of Newark by organizing a band with his two brothers and working in a radio tube company in his spare time. He expects to go back to Law school when the war is over but hasn't decided whether he prefers Fordham or Columbia University. Now at 21 he has one of the most important jobs of his life ahead of him.

His younger brother, Robert, has just received his wings as a pilot at Blythe, Arkansas. His older brother, Andrew, a private in the infantry was killed at Cassino during the Allied drive toward Rome.

A cadet doesn't just walk out of his classroom, don a uniform and fly into the wild blue yonder. To matriculate from navigation school isn't such a simple matter. He must make his final flight usually a day-night mission employing all of the various procedures used in navigation. He must pass his final test-usually a stiff one. Qualification in firearms is necessary before he can clear the field.

Harry had already completed the flexible gunnery course at Tyndall Field, Florida before he reached the advanced school at Selman. A vigorous "sixth-four" physical examination has to he undergone. The navigation equipment he will use on his combat missions must he issued, packed and sent on to his next station by the Quartermaster Corps. The instruments and paraphernalia he used, as a cadet must be returned to cadet supply. He must write or phone his parents and advise them of his plans. Harry's were fortunate enough to get transportation and hotel reservations not an easy accomplishment at the present time. His class had a dance in honor of the coming event at the Cadet Club. Harry dined and danced with one of the prettiest girls there. "This was their chance to blow off steam. The Master of Ceremonies for the festivities never missed an opportunity to ridicule the "TAC" officers--no matter how slight the provocation."

Officer uniforms were scanned closely at the tailors to see whether the alterations were correctly made. All cadets admired their reflection in the mirror and dropped officer's caps carelessly in their boxes to make them look as "raunchy" as possible. No one wanted to appear a newly commissioned officer. Everything was set and arranged to the best of their ability. The men knew their next destination, learned whether they were to be flight officers or second lieutenants.

Graduation day arrived. Everyone shaved closely, polished their shoes brightly, dressed neatly and fell out into formation according to height. They knew what they were to do but were a little nervous nevertheless. The band arrived and off they went marching smartly toward the Theatre where the exercises were to be held. Proud relatives stood outside and beamed. Some missed the bus and arrived after the cadets were inside the Theatre. The band played the National Anthem and the Chaplain gave the benediction. The graduation speech was made by Col. W. H. Reid, the commanding officer of the field. He told them of the evolution of navigation in the Air Forces.

Medals were presented to navigators returned from combat. The officer in charge gave the cadets their oath of office and now as commissioned officers, the ex-cadets pinned the gold second lieutenant's bar on each other's collar. Cadet lieutenants were given wings for their respective flights. The graduation ceremony ended with a shout from 44-9 and a shower of their wire hat stiffeners over the Theatre floor.

For the first time that day they expanded. Congratulations were exchanged. They received their honorable discharges and their clothing allotment check, then made a dash toward the PX to pay their bills. Their mothers, wives or girl friends pinned shining new wings on the left side of their shirts and they walked slowly along the street to receive their first salute. Some did this self-consciously; some forgot to return salutes while others returned salutes as calmly as "thirty" year men.

Now with their orders, they could finally leave the field. Lt. Coleman went with his parents to their hotel and had a comfortable lunch, helped them pack and went to the railroad station. He had a ten-day leave before reporting to his next station and was intent upon enjoying it. Sixteen months was a long time but certainly worth all the grind and toil. Next comes OTU and combat. Good Luck.

PHOTOS BY DALEY

From the Aug 1944 issue of "Log of Navigation" magazine Vol. 2 No. 8

LOG OF NAVIGATION is the approved publication of the AAF Training Command. Permission granted to Army publications to reprint if credit line is given.

EDITORIAL OFFICES: Army Air Forces Instructor's School (Navigation) Selman Field, Monroe, Louisiana. Publishing Office: Gulf Publishing Company, 3301 Buffalo Drive, Houston, Texas. ADDRESS all correspondence concerning LOG OF NAVIGATION to Editorial Office.

Lt. Jack J. Wendell.................Log Director
S/Sgt. H. G. Congdon..............Ass. Director
Cpl. John P. Cowan................Art Director
Cpl. R. D. Schoenke...............Special Features Editor
S/Sgt. Arthur J. Daley.............Photo Editor