Finish Flight Training
These youths from the Sioux City territory were among many who stood in a long lines on the parking ramps of 11 advanced flying schools in the southwest last weekend to receive silver pilots wings in graduation ceremonies of the army air forces central flying training command, with head-quarters at Randolph field, Texas.
Pictured here, left to right, top row are Robert G. McNelly, Rock Valley, Iowa; Charles W. Stewart, West Point, Nebraska; Howard K. Hillman, Lennox, South Dakota; Russell K. Rohlfsen, LeMars, Iowa and bottom row, Paul J. Bird, Marcus, Iowa and Arnold J. Wiese, Lake Park, Iowa.
Others from this area receiving their wings included Kenneth E. Wigness, Harlan, Iowa; Verne L Douville, Chamberlain, South Dakota; Charles E. Griffiths, Jr., Groton, South Dakota; Arthur M. Roberts, Mitchell, South Dakota; Van B. Campbell, Sioux Falls; Talvin J. Roraus, Sioux Falls; Joseph L. Elwell, Springfield, South Dakota and Hubert E. Holcomb, Wessington Springs, South Dakota.
Source: Sioux City Journal, October 6, 1943 (photo included)
NEWS OF SERVICEMEN.
Paul J. Bird, of Marcus, pilot of a 7th AAF Liberator bomber, has been promoted to First Lieutenant. Lieutenant Bird is a veteran of many combat missions against the Japanese in the Central and Western Pacific. Lieutenant Bird’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Bird, live in Marcus. He attended the Marcus high school and entered the Army in October, 1942. He has been overseas since May, 1944. A brother, Leo W. Bird, is with the Marines.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, April 10, 1945
Paul James Bird was born Apr. 3, 1922 to Leo F. and Clara Berendes Bird. He died June 4, 1975 and is buried in Good Shepherd Cemetery, Huntington Beach, CA.
Source: ancestry.com
