Stories & Photos

A Soldier’s Transition

When World War II began, American boys by the millions enlisted or were drafted into the military, and the transition from civilian to soldier was set in motion. I was age 21 at the time I enlisted in the Air Corps in August 1942 with the hope that I could become a fighter pilot. Because there was a shortage of training facilities, I was not called to active duty until February 1943. The photographs and brief captions below will allow you to trace one man’s trail from being a young civilian to gradually becoming a war-weary combat fighter pilot in Europe.

Snapshots of me from civilian life through phases of military and flight training, then into combat, and finally nearing the end of my wartime journey:

Quentin Aanenson leaving Long Beach, California to report to Santa Ana Air Force base for pre-flight training.
February 21, 1943, leaving Long Beach, California, to report to Santa Ana Air Force base for pre-flight training
Quentin Aanenson at flight school in Phoenix, Arizona
June 1943. Primary Flight School at Thunderbird Field near Phoenix, Arizona.
Quentin Aanenson at basic flight school in Bakersfield, California
September 1943. Basic Flight School at Gardner Field near Bakersfield, California.
Quentin Aanenson at advanced flight training in Phoenix, Arizona
November 1943 until January 7, 1944. Advanced Flight Training at Luke Field, Phoenix, Arizona. Received my “Wings” and my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.
Quentin Aanenson receiving combat training in the P-47 Thunderbolt.
January 22, 1944 until May 3, 1944. Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when we left to go overseas. Received combat training in P-47 Thunderbolts in preparation for going into battle.
Quentin Aanenson  in Laon, France after four months of combat.
Early October 1944, Laon, France, after being in combat four months.
Quentin Aanenson in Maastricht, Holland after seven months of combat.
This is how I looked after being in combat seven months. Photograph taken at our airfield near Maastricht, Holland. The numbing fatigue and the endless trauma of war are beginning to show.
Quentin Aanenson at home of 'Rest and Recuperation' leave.
Early May 1945. Home on ‘Rest and Recuperation’ leave. But I could close my eyes, and see us going into battle. I could listen and hear the sound of the guns.

A Soldier’s Transition

When World War II began, American boys by the millions enlisted or were drafted into the military, and the transition from civilian to soldier was set in motion. I was age 21 at the time I enlisted in the Air Corps in August 1942 with the hope that I could become a fighter pilot. Because there was a shortage of training facilities, I was not called to active duty until February 1943. The photographs and brief captions below will allow you to trace one man’s trail from being a young civilian to gradually becoming a war-weary combat fighter pilot in Europe.

Snapshots of me from civilian life through phases of military and flight training, then into combat, and finally nearing the end of my wartime journey:

Quentin Aanenson leaving Long Beach, California to report to Santa Ana Air Force base for pre-flight training.
February 21, 1943, leaving Long Beach, California, to report to Santa Ana Air Force base for pre-flight training
Quentin Aanenson at flight school in Phoenix, Arizona
June 1943. Primary Flight School at Thunderbird Field near Phoenix, Arizona.
Quentin Aanenson at basic flight school in Bakersfield, California
September 1943. Basic Flight School at Gardner Field near Bakersfield, California.
Quentin Aanenson at advanced flight training in Phoenix, Arizona
November 1943 until January 7, 1944. Advanced Flight Training at Luke Field, Phoenix, Arizona. Received my “Wings” and my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.
Quentin Aanenson receiving combat training in the P-47 Thunderbolt.
January 22, 1944 until May 3, 1944. Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when we left to go overseas. Received combat training in P-47 Thunderbolts in preparation for going into battle.
Quentin Aanenson  in Laon, France after four months of combat.
Early October 1944, Laon, France, after being in combat four months.
Quentin Aanenson in Maastricht, Holland after seven months of combat.
This is how I looked after being in combat seven months. Photograph taken at our airfield near Maastricht, Holland. The numbing fatigue and the endless trauma of war are beginning to show.
Quentin Aanenson at home of 'Rest and Recuperation' leave.
Early May 1945. Home on ‘Rest and Recuperation’ leave. But I could close my eyes, and see us going into battle. I could listen and hear the sound of the guns.