It was also the initial daylight raid by an American squadron on German-occupied Europe. On page 80 Tibbets (not a Register pilot) states, "This was not only a first for me and my crew and for the 11 B-17s that were following us on the mission to Rouen. Friend of, Mike Gerow, identifies statements in Tibbets that put a fine point on the August 17 leadership. However, Tibbets' book, " Return of the Enola Gay" states otherwise. 17, he led his group and won the Silver star for accomplishing the mission." Dick states, "The mission was led by Colonel Frank Armstrong, with Major Paul Tibbetts in the other pilot's seat." What does "led" mean?Īccording to Dick, page 158, and a New York Times article in Armstrong's NASM biographical file (left sidebar), Armstrong "led" this mission. There is some contention between two of the great pilots of the WWII era. It was during this time that his firm methods of leadership led to the lore that contributed to Twelve O'Clock High (right sidebar). He led a classic raid to Wilhelmshaven in early 1943. He led six bombing raids during the Fall and more during the Winter. He won the Silver Star for accomplishing the mission (to Rouen, France) without the loss of a life or an airplane. On August 17, at age 41, he "led"* the first air raid made by American heavy bombers based on Britain. In January 1942, as a colonel, he was sent to England as a military observer.
We capture him in the Register at Tucson early in his flying career. Assignments followed at Randolph Field, TX, Rockwell Field, CA, Salt Lake City, UT, the Canal Zone, Barksdale Field, LA, Maxwell Field, AL, Savanah, GA, Tampa, FL and Washington, DC. He earned his wings on February 28, 1929. Lawrence.Īrmstrong gained his flight training at Brooks and Kelly FIelds, TX. This time he flew a Douglas BT-2, 31-39 eastbound from Riverside, CA to El Paso, TX. His third and final landing was on Sunday June 26, 1932. Based at Shertz, TX Randolph Field, he was eastbound this time from Riverside, CA March Field en route solo to Randolph in a Consolidated PT-3 that he did not identify by number. His second landing took place Sunday Decemat 4:10 PM. They were westbound from El Paso, TX to March Field, Riverside, CA. His first visit was on Thursday Jat 10:20 AM. His official Air Force biography is at the link.Īrmstrong landed at Tucson and signed the Register three times. was born at Hamilton, North Carolina, in 1902. HE WAS THE REAL "TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH" Frank Armstrong, Date Unknownįrank A. Correspondence, speeches, biographical sketches, an unpublished autobiography, a pilot's information file (1929-1945), flight records (1932-1945), World War II Tactical Mission Reports for the European and Pacific Theaters, Air Force publications, manuals, clippings and photographs. Need more? The following collection is available from:Īrmstrong, Frank A., 1902-1969. Autographed copy in your Webmaster's library. Use this FORM to order a copy signed by the author. The book includes biographies of some of the pilots who flew the aircraft to Tucson as well as extensive listings of all the pilots and airplanes. This book describes and illustrates with black & white photographs the majority of military aircraft that landed at the Davis-Monthan Airfield between 19. " Military Aircraft of the Davis Monthan Register, 1925-1936" is available at the link.
Or use this FORM to order a copy signed by the author. To pilots and their aircraft is available at the link. Your copy of the " Davis-Monthan Airfield Register" with all the pilots' signatures and helpful cross-references Page of the Davis-Monthan Airfield Register Website