Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
3:47 | Pooch Pace would conduct his basic training at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. There he'd learn to be a control tower operator in charge of managing the departures and landings of hundreds of planes. He recalls one tragic event where they lost a B-25 and it's crew and he spent the evening guarding the morgue. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas.- https://theveteransmuseum.org/)
Keywords : B-25 accident crash landing Keesler Air Force Base Keesler Field guard duty morgue air traffic control
Growing up in the Great Depression was tough for Pooch Pace, but fortunately they were able to provide their own food through the worst of it. In 1945, Pooch would opt for the Merchant Marines and the Navy, but ultimately would join the Army Air Corps. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas.- https://theveteransmuseum.org/)
When the war ended, Pooch Pace was assigned to Japan where he'd lose one of his best friends, Lieutenant Lawton, in a tragic plane accident. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas.- https://theveteransmuseum.org/)
Pooch Pace recalls the positive memories he had of being a control tower operator, but also the immense stress. He had to maintain a constant focus because he knew the men flying these planes and they relied on him to land safely. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas.- https://theveteransmuseum.org/)
