Two Dickinson County Youths Received
Their Wings Wednesday At Gulf Coast Flying Fields
Two Dickinson county young men were members of the “largest class in history” to graduate Wednesday, August 5th at two of the seven advanced flying schools of the Gulf Coast Air Force Training Center, and received the silver wings of the Army Air Force. The youths are Lieut. Edgar I. Doudna, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Doudna of Spirit Lake, and Lieut. Leland A. Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Moore of Terril.
Their graduation marked the end of 27 weeks thorough, intensive flight training for this record class of the Gulf Coast Air Force Training Center, which includes the center one-third or the United States.
Moore At Ellington Field
Moore was presented with his wings at the Ellington Field graduation services, he having completed his advanced flight training at that field.
Lieut. Moore attended and graduated from the Terril high school and later attended the University of Iowa at Iowa City, where he received his degree in Commerce in June, 1941. He enlisted in the Air Corps in August and was called to report for active duty Dec. 16, reporting to Kelly Field, Texas for his early training. Following his training there he went to Chickasha, Okla., for three months training, and then to Randolph Field, Texas. Six weeks ago he was transferred to Ellington Field for his final advanced training.
The graduate-flyers make up only one part of the lethal Air Force Combat Team. Throughout the year-round schedule, navigators, bombardiers and gunners are also being graduated and receiving wings to mark their actual commencement of active flying duty. With the pilot, these men complete the working force of the warplane. The navigator plots the course of the ship, the bombardier plots the course of the bomb and the gunner protects the entire team from the fire of enemy craft.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, August 06, 1942, Page 1
