Valentine's Day Adventure
In late December 1952 a friend had been to the courthouse and saw my name on the draft list for induction into the Army. I thought there goes my job, car, and girlfriend! The order of importance of these three categories will vary among draftees. Because I had two friends in Korea and maintained contact with them I decided to cast my lot with the Air Force. I was inducted on Valentine's Day February 14, 1953. I was immediately shipped to San Antonio, Texas for Basic Training. The Army Air Corp name had been changed to Air Force, but the Basic Training was 13 weeks of the old Army routine.
After completing my training and earning my one stripe I was called in by the Drill Instructor. I never had a problem during Basic or got in trouble and could handle the physical aspects with no problem. I wondered what I was going to hear. He said, "We have a new flight coming in and do not have a Drill Instructor. Until you receive your orders to ship out you will be the Drill Instructor." To myself I said, "What, I'm 18 years old just received my training and I'm going to have to handle 72 new enlistees??." If you remember your training, the first 7 to 10 days are getting your clothing, getting your hair cut, learning how to dress, how to make your bed, clean the barracks, get shots, medical checks, take tests, and during all that learn how to march in formation and memorize all the various commands that you will be getting. This was a 5 AM to 9 PM job. I did not realize why I was selected. I am not a large man and didn't think I did more than anyone else. After about 10 days I did receive my orders and have looked back on that many times. I took pride in the fact that our own flight had been an honor flight, earning the best record in inspections, drills and other exercises. Because of that, we did not have to go through the gas chamber or do the overnight march, so that was a nice reward. I was thankful we did not have to go through the gas exercise and remove our mask. Watching those guys cough, gag, and throw up was no fun!
After getting my orders I was shipped to Biloxi, Mississippi where I had 54 weeks of schooling over the next 16 months and ended up as an ECM Specialist on a flight crew on a B 36 bomber. Those four years had a big impact on me and maybe a huge change in my life.
Richard Lynch
8616 Fallsdale Dr
Charlotte, NC 28214
.
