James E. Slick, 2002

File — Box: 31, Folder: 15

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Slick (b. 1923) was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He discusses his family life and the Depression. He volunteered for the army in September 1942, was inducted in Pennsylvania, and took basic training at St. Petersburg, Florida. After basic he transferred to the Army Air Corps. He received gunnery training in Nevada and transitioned to B-17s in Washington State, training as a tail gunner. With his crew he flew to Kimbolten, England, before flying his first mission in November 1943. He was assigned to the 525th Bomber Squadron, 379th Bomber Group. He describes his missions and combat experiences. Mr. Slick completed 25 missions in four months and returned to the US in May 1944. After recuperating, he was sent to Madison, Wisconsin, where he worked as an MP and a projectionist. He was sent to Tinker Field, Oklahoma, as a fire control officer on a B-29, where he was stationed when the war ended and he was discharged. Joined the Navy Reserves (in the Seabees) and was discharged at the age of forty-nine. Interviewed by Benjamin J. Bahlmann. 70 pages.

Dates

2002

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.