Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
7:51 | Preston describes the living conditions he had for the duration he was in Europe, and flying a P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. His first mission ever was to help escort B-17 Bombers. He also remembers helping out on D-Day, and what a typical mission routine was like for him. (This interview made possible with the support of DONALD G. STEWART.)
Keywords : Rae Preston P-47 Thunderbolt escort D-Day German army horsedrawn unit missions flight mission 50 cal machine gun fragmentation bombs B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber 8th Air Force ground support Air Liasson Officer briefing Alcohol/Liquor living conditions flak damage Germany Luftwaffe
Rae Preston tried to join the Army Air Corps with his older brother, but was the only one of the two to get in. After he got in as a pilot he went to Cochran Field for flight school. He talks about the types of planes they had him fly there and about the first missions he ever flew, which were to provide air support for other units. (This interview made possible with the support of DONALD G. STEWART.)
While up in the air, Preston would sometimes be instructed to fire on enemy trains and tanks. Throughout his time in Europe, he flew 95 different missions. For one of these, he was recognized with a Distinguished Flying Cross. He remembers where he was at the end of the war, as well as returning home and joining the National Guard. After a fateful injury falling from a tree, he was ultimately forced to give up flying. (This interview made possible with the support of DONALD G. STEWART.)
