Of Windmills and War

by Diane Moody

  Danny jumped out of the way, but the damage was done. In a split second, he cold-cocked the guy’s nose, immediately hearing the snap of cartilage. As blood began to pour from the guy’s nose, Danny felt his arms pulled tight behind him, almost yanked out of their sockets. The first punch to his gut took his breath away, but he kept fighting back. He was outnumbered but sober, and that had to count for something.

  They cursed, they punched, they stomped, and they twisted him in knots, but he didn’t give up. He wasn’t about to give in, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could last.

  “You sorry little mama’s boy—this one’s for Pearl!” The kick landed right in his groin sending Danny to his knees. Stars danced before his eyes as his kneecaps slammed into the pavement.

  “MY BROTHER WAS AT PEARL, you idiot!” he wheezed.

  “What’d he say?”

  “Did he say his brother was at Pearl?”

  A lot of scuffling. Cussing. Accusations.

  Then silence.

  A moment later, the darkness swallowed him whole.

  “How’d the other guy look?”

  Danny held the cold compress against his jaw wishing he could put it down where the pain really hurt. “Guys. Plural. There were eight of them.”

  “Eight? Well then, now I’m impressed!”

  “Don’t be. They were sailors.”

  The Army sergeant laughed heartily, leaning back in his chair. “Even better! Any day’s a good day when you whack some of those Navy fruitcakes! Son, we may have just opened but you’ve already made my day!”

  “I know. I’ve been sitting outside since the sun came up.”

  “Is that a fact? What can I do for you, Mr. McClain?”

  Danny moved the compress from his face. “You can sign me up for the Army Air Force. I’m here to enlist.”

  Part IV

  33

  January 1943

  Danny breezed through all the written and physical tests required by the Army Air Force, then spent the Christmas holidays and remaining weeks with his family before reporting for duty at a recruiting office near Chicago’s Union Station. After finalizing the necessary paper work, he and a group of recruits were marched to the station where they boarded a Pullman car headed for Texas. The two day trip gave him more than enough time to think about his recent past and immediate future.

  His parents didn’t take the news of his enlistment well, which didn’t surprise him. Having Joey there to talk them through it helped a lot, but it didn’t stop the steady flow of his mother’s tears. She was gravely concerned about his safety as a pilot “up there with all those Germans or Japanese trying to shoot you out of the sky.” But in the end, she accepted his decision and promised she would pray for him every waking moment.

  As for Dad? That was an entirely different situation. While his father had changed considerably since Joey came back after Pearl, he still didn’t want a son fighting in this war. At first he’d lost his temper like the Frank McClain of old, ranting about his son making “such an idiotic decision” when he was almost half way through college. He kept pointing at Joey, saying, “Haven’t you learned anything from your brother’s example?” Thankfully, Joey came to his rescue, letting his father know he was proud of Danny’s decision and fully supported it. Dad had disappeared downstairs as he so often did and didn’t say much for a few days.

  When the morning of January 19 arrived, Danny said his goodbyes to his mother, to Joey, and also Millie who’d gladly accepted Joey’s proposal of marriage on Christmas Eve. He looked around for his dad, hoping to at least get a chance to say goodbye. He’d insisted on making the trip into Chicago alone on the El. But as he stepped outside, there was his father—sitting behind the wheel of his Packard with the engine going. Danny looked back at his mom. She held a handkerchief to her mouth and motioned for him to go. On the drive into town, his dad kept his eyes glued to the road, not saying a word. When they got to the station, Danny got out, grabbed his bag, and turned to thank him for the ride. His father cut the engine, got out of the car, and just stood there for a moment. Then suddenly, he pulled Danny into a tight embrace.

  He patted Danny on the back. “You come back, son,” he croaked. “You come back.”

  “I will, Dad. I promise.”

  Another moment passed before his father pulled back. Without a second look, he climbed back in his car and drove away.

  Now, as the train pulled into the Wichita Falls station, Danny only had one thought—to be the best aviator in the Army Air Force. Nothing else mattered at this point. They were quickly transported to nearby Sheppard Field Army Air Base where they were greeted by a grizzled sergeant named Walker and two of his staff.

  “Welcome to the Army, ladies!” the sergeant shouted. “Now GET YOUR BUTTS OFF THAT BUS AND FALL IN LINE!”

  And that was just the nice part.

  Shortly after their arrival, they were ushered into the barbershop and all given the same cut. Danny ran his hand through his new crew cut, liking it immediately. Next stop, uniforms and barrack assignment.

  At noon, his unit was marched over to the mess hall for lunch. The metal trays with divided sections also served as their plates. The guys working KP duty seemed really friendly, loading up the plates of all the newcomers. “Enjoy!” they said. Danny was amazed at the quantity of food on his tray. Only a few minutes later, he realized those guys weren’t being friendly—they’d played an age-old prank on the recruits.

  “You will leave NOTHING on your trays, gentlemen,” Sergeant Walker barked. “You have three minutes. EAT UP!”

  “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t eat any more,” the kid next to him said.

  “Son, are you deaf? I said you WILL leave NOTHING on your tray. Now you and your friends get your butts back over to that table and CLEAN YOUR PLATE!”

  That was one lesson Danny wouldn’t forget. He quickly learned how to handle those KPs.

  He wasn’t particularly impressed with what he’d seen of Texas so far. The erratic weather made it impossible to dress appropriately. One day would be freezing, the next could be warm as a summer’s day. At least back in Chicago you knew what to expect from Mother Nature. Still, Danny learned to adjust. He knew how to dress for the long hours they spent marching in formation and running obstacle courses. And he quickly learned how to layer extra clothing for those chilly nights in the barracks. Rather than shiver all night beneath the thin wool blanket, Danny would slip his fatigues over his Army-issue pajamas for a little extra warmth. Unfortunately he forgot all about his pajamas one frigid morning when they were awakened and marched over to the clinic for physicals. The flight surgeon roared with laughter when he discovered Danny’s extra layer of clothing.

  “Well, well, well, Private PJ. Nice and comfy cozy, are we?”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you for asking, sir,” Danny answered with a smirk.

  “Then drop your drawers, Private. All of them!”

  Danny could still hear the guy laughing when he left the room, rubbing his right cheek after the shot he’d just received.

  For the most part, they learned the basics of soldiering while at Sheppard—the correct way to wear their uniforms, how to make up a bunk according to regulation, the basics of military language and the meaning of different orders, and lots and lots of marching in formation. But on their last Saturday on base, the troops were entertained by none other than Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers. Danny was thrilled, listening to all the great songs by one of his favorite movie stars. He didn’t even mind that Dale Rogers hadn’t joined them.

  With basic training now under their belts, Danny’s outfit was transferred to Lubbock, Texas, for “pre-pre-flight school.” Danny had to chuckle when they were assigned dorm rooms in one of the Texas Tech residence halls. He vowed never to harass the male students on the Tech campus like the sailors had done at Northwestern, though it was certainly tempting. He was surprised to find himself back in college classrooms, required to take some basic collegiate co
urses, many of which he’d already taken at Northwestern. But he kept his mouth shut, did his school work, and tried to do the best he could.

  Just like at Sheppard, they spent an incredible amount of time doing drills and calisthenics. But this time, they did so under the direction of Texas Tech’s head football coach, Del Morgan. Some of his players—those who had not yet been called up by the draft—assisted Coach Morgan in these athletic endeavors. Danny found it all very strange, particularly as he remembered the PE requirements back at Northwestern and the massive “display” of athletic prowess that day at the Illinois vs. Northwestern half time at Dyche Field. Sometimes he wondered what he’d gotten himself into. He was growing weary of all the physical training. He wanted to fly!

  At long last, his wish came true.

  His first time up in the Piper Cub, Danny could barely contain himself. With an instructor in the seat behind him, the tiny plane gained speed heading down the runway until it finally lifted up, up, up into the air.

  “WA HOOOO!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. He’d never experienced anything so exhilarating in his life! He couldn’t stop grinning, couldn’t stop laughing as he took in the amazing vistas beneath him and the blue, blue sky all around him. He drank in the moment, and realized this was what he was born to do! He let out another shout, then twisted around to see his instructor. The pilot smiled from ear to ear, obviously understanding the significance of the moment. Danny gave him a thumbs up which he promptly returned.

  Over the next few days, Danny and his outfit fulfilled the required ten hours of flight time—which taught them the basics of flying while also weeding out those who couldn’t fly without puking. The instructors handled take offs and landings, but up in the air, they turned the controls over to their students. First and foremost, the new pilots learned how to recover from a stall or a spin. The instructor would pull the nose up steeper and steeper until the plane finally stalled. The student quickly learned the right maneuvers to bring the aircraft back under control. Danny had never worn a seat belt before, but he was sure thankful for it the first time the plane rolled over.

  In July, Danny and his outfit were transferred to Santa Ana Army Air Base near Los Angeles, California. He loved the warm dry air of California, but all that took a back seat as Danny and his buddies were put to the most severe testing yet. The Classification Center for the Western Training Command put them through a whole new level of endurance testing, both physical and mental. By far the most difficult experience he faced was the pressure chamber test. He blew out a long sigh of relief when he passed it with flying colors. The men were also subjected to a whole battery of psychological tests to further weed out anyone who might have problems functioning in flight. Again, Danny successfully passed those exams.

  The day he was assigned to Pilot Training, he couldn’t wait to tell his family.

  “Congratulations, Danny! I’m so proud of you!”

  He could hear the genuine pride in his mother’s voice, though he knew she still had serious qualms about him flying. “Thanks, Mom. That means a lot coming from you.”

  “Your father’s at the theater, but Joey’s here. Hold on.” It was muffled, but he could hear her shouting, “Joey! Danny’s on the phone! He has wonderful news!”

  After a lot of excited chatter in the background, his brother finally took the receiver. “Danny! What’s the good news?”

  “Joey, I did it. I’ve been assigned to Pilot Training. I’m gonna fly!”

  “I can’t believe it! No, I take that back—I CAN believe it. I always knew you could do whatever you set your mind to. Ah, Danny—I’m so happy for you. Couldn’t be prouder!”

  “Thanks, Joey. I should probably tell you . . . I may be the one learning to fly, but I’m doing all this for you too. I can’t help feeling I’m finishing what you started, if that makes sense.”

  Silence filled the line for a moment. “I don’t know what to say. That’s . . . I’m honored. I really am.”

  “No, I’m the one who’s honored. I just wanted you to know. But enough of that stuff. How’s Millie? Have you all set a date yet?”

  “We set it for the week you’ll be home after graduation. Wouldn’t think of getting married without you by my side.”

  “And I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  They talked for a few more minutes as Danny promised to keep in touch, and Joey promised to pass along Danny’s news to Dad.

  A short time later, Danny was assigned to Flight School at Cal-Aero in nearby Ontario, California. With ideal weather conditions, Cal-Aero was considered the best of the best. He and five others were assigned to a flight instructor named Sam Holliman. A former barn-storming pilot, Holliman was a short man, very soft-spoken—at least on the ground. In the air was a different story.

  Learning to fly in the Piper Cub had been a dream come true. But once he got to Cal-Aero and took his first flight in a Stearman, he realized how serious a job it was to get it right. The Stearman had an upper wing and a lower wing and an open cockpit. It also had a much more powerful engine than the tiny Piper Cub. Now, every time he sat in the cockpit, he remembered the old adage his instructors had drilled in his head: There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there aren’t many old, bold pilots.

  After several flights, Danny was given a flight check by the Squadron Commander. After performing several maneuvers and shooting several landings at an auxiliary field, Danny got the shock of his life.

  “You’re ready to solo. Drop me off alongside the runway then show me what you can do.”

  Danny swallowed hard. None of the other guys in his group had soloed yet, and he hadn’t expected to any time soon. He was scared spitless!

  “Take it easy and just fly as if I was there in your back cockpit,” his commander said as he stepped out of the plane onto the runway.

  “Yes, sir!”

  Following the hand signals of his instructor below, Danny did a series of take-offs, circling the field, then landing. After several landings, the commander motioned him over to pick him up again.

  “Nice job, McClain. Congratulations.”

  They took off again to return to the main field. As they taxied to the parking area then deplaned, Danny proudly left his goggles on top of his head—signifying he had soloed. Until a pilot solos, the goggles were worn under the chin whenever he was on the ground. As the first in his group to solo, Danny couldn’t help the proud smile on his face.

  Holliman swore. “Well, I’ll be.”

  As luck would have it, Cal-Aero was converted to a basic flight training center just as Danny completed his primary training. That meant he would stay put for the two months of basic flight training instead of transferring elsewhere. He couldn’t help thinking his mother’s prayers had paved the way for all these perfect situations. He’d have to remember to thank her when he got home.

  34

  January 1944

  Moving into basic flight training took Danny’s flying experience to a whole new level. With his Stearman days behind him, he and those in his class now flew the BT13 basic trainer. With a closed-in cockpit, radio contact, lights, and a much more powerful engine, Danny thought it must be like stepping out of a Model A Ford into a Rolls Royce—not that he’d ever been in a Rolls Royce. It was also his first experience flying at night. What a thrill!

  A month later, when their training was completed on schedule, Danny was transferred to the Stockton Army Air Base for Advanced Flight Training. There he learned how to fly two-engine aircraft, as well as flying with a co-pilot. Each cadet took turns flying in the left seat or right seat, as pilot or co-pilot. Danny much preferred that left seat where he could be in control, but he knew how important the role of a co-pilot was.

  As Danny’s class neared the completion of their flight training, they were asked to fill out a form indicating their preference as to what type of aircraft they’d like to be assigned. The choice was an easy one for Danny. After reading reports about the exploits of M
ajor Jimmy Doolittle and his group during the first bombing raid on Tokyo, Danny knew he wanted to fly the B-25. He was disappointed when he didn’t make the cut, unaware that the B-25 was becoming obsolete. Of his entire 44E class, only two B-25 assignments were made.

  Still, he was thrilled to see his name on the list of graduates. He was also surprised to find out that 20th Century Fox would be filming their graduation ceremony for the movie, Winged Victory. Sure enough, on May 23 the huge studio cameras recorded their entire ceremony, including a flyover of AT-7s flown by the class of 44F. They were disappointed to learn the film’s star, Lon McAlister, was not in attendance. Apparently his part would be dubbed later in some Hollywood studio. But Danny didn’t care. He was just excited to be graduating, and glad to hear his family would get to see the ceremony on film sometime in the near future. He could already imagine Dad and Joey holding a special matinee at the theater to “showcase” his cameo in the film.

  But with graduation now behind him, there was only one thing on his mind—going home!

  05 May 1944

  Chicago, Illinois

  “Oh sweetheart!” Mom cried as he swept her up in his arms at the airport, then twirled her around.

  “Hi, Mom! I’ve missed you!”

  “Put me down, Danny. I want to look at you!”

  He gently set her back on the ground, still holding her as she held his face in her hands. “Oh, Danny, you look so handsome in your uniform. How are you?”

  Before he could answer, she kissed him on both cheeks. “I’m great, Mom. Better than great now that I’m home.” He looked over her shoulder at his father. “Hi, Dad.”

  His father, still walking with a cane, made his way closer, standing beside his mother. “Good to see you, son. How’s the Army Air Force treating you?”

  Danny shook his hand. “Fine, just fine. How’s the theater?”

  “Ah, it’s plugging along. Joey’s there now. He insisted I come along with your mother.”