1924 to 1942 - The Years Before Enlistment

Roger C. Ellis was born on September 23, 1924 in Erie PA.  His parents were Clifford and Marie Ellis.  He graduated from Academy High School in Erie on June 18, 1942 at a time in history when the United States was fully involved in World War II.

Sixteen million men and women, one in eight of the population of the United States, served in uniform during World War II.  Three million of them served in the Army Air Force.  Of this number 191,654 were awarded wings as pilots.  Of these pilots, approximately 70,000 were single engine fighter pilots.  This is the story of one of those fighter pilots - my father, Roger C. Ellis.

The history that is chronicled here was constructed from records including U.S. Government archives, discharge papers, pilot flight records, orders and certificates and dated photographs.

March 1943 - Enlistment and Induction

Roger enlisted in the Army on March 5, 1943 in Erie PA at the rank of Private.  The terms of his enlistment were "Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law". His enlisted service number was 33434298.

He was called to active duty on March 12, 1943.  He was eighteen years and five months of age on that date.

Source:  World War II Army Enlistment Records, Access to Archival Databases (AAD)

March and April 1943 - Basic Training - Miami Beach FL

Roger attended basic training in Miami Beach FL.  Basic training at that time typically lasted five weeks per the Official World War II Guide to the Army Air Forces.  

The following colorized photo was taken in Miami Beach, date unknown.

The following photo is also undated but appears to be from Miami Beach.

May to September 1943 - Aircraft Mechanic School - Keesler MS

After Basic Training, Roger attended Aircraft Mechanic school at Keesler Field, Mississippi.  The school specialized in B-24 mechanic training per the History of Keesler Air Force Base.  Basic mechanic training lasted eight weeks, and was followed by higher echelon, more specialized courses.  He graduated from the Army Air Force Technical Training School (Aircraft Mechanic) on September 19, 1943 as a Private First Class and received the following certificate.

The following photo was identified as taken at Keesler Field.

Graduates from Aircraft Mechanic school who were qualified for flight crew duty were eligible to apply for aerial gunnery school according to the History of Keesler Air Force Base, p. 68.

October and November 1943 - Aerial Gunnery School - Harlingen TX

After completing Aircraft Mechanic training, Roger was accepted for aerial gunnery training.  He attended the Army Air Force Field Gunnery School (AAFFGS) at Harlingen Army Air Field in Harlingen TX.  He graduated from Aerial Gunnery school on November 20, 1943 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, per his Certificate of Service and Discharge from Enlisted papers.

Here is a file photo of aerial gunnery training at Harlingen Field.

1944 - Coe College - Cedar Rapids IA

According to Roger's resume he attended a five-month long accelerated college course as a prerequisite to Aviation cadet training.  Courses included math, history, weather and meteorology.

His Army Separation Qualification Record indicates that he completed a three and one half month course as part of a College Training Detachment at Coe College.

August 1944 - High Altitude Indoctrination - Santa Ana CA

Roger completed a high altitude indoctrination course on August 11, 1944 at Santa Ana Army Air Base and was awarded the following certificate.

The following photo was taken on a California hilltop on August 22, 1944 during a bivouac.  From left to right:  Student Squadron Commanding Officer Spencer Savage, Roger Ellis, and Student Squadron Executive Officer Fred Fulton.