You're on fire when you write about all things in the air. It's your best work because you do it with the same exhuberance in the narrative that there must have been in the air. And you have commemorated some of America's finest who ever were and who, from the looks of things, will ever be.
We'll never see people like those who fought World War II again. The Romans who lived in the time after the Punic Wars believed those who had lived then were a better people.
What a tribute of a story to your friend Bud! Thank you for this. Inadequate to say, but I am sorry for your loss. He had a remarkable life, and it sounds like you were privileged to have had his friendship.
I enjoyed meeting Bud at a business aviation conference about 10 years ago. Hubby (retired Naval aviator, corporate pilot and WWII aviation history buff, especially anything P-51) read extensively about Bud and shared with me the Cliff Notes of Bud’s career.
The last of my father’s 2 older brothers will be 104 this summer. He flew reconnaissance for Paton not in a P-51 , but in something like a Cessna 150, low and slow, Paton needed to know who and how the Germans were arrayed against him, 300’ surveys gave him the info he needed. The 109’s tried to shoot him down so he would drop down below the tree lines and follow the roads which the 109’s were way too fast to do. I grew up with men like like your friend, they taught me much about honor and the value of our country, they weren’t confused about America, unlike the insipid bastard aka the orange turd, they had more honor in their toenail clippings than he has managed to accumulate in a lifetime. RIP 🙏
That airplane was an L-4 "Grasshopper" as they called it. It was a Piper J-3 Cub, about as basic as you can get (my first 6 hours were in a J-3, which will teach you that the air is an ocean).
With every passing of The Greatest Generation we mourn, but also celebrate, lives well lived. Have you ever gone out to the Aerospace Museum of California? While your friend wasn’t specifically portrayed I love the film and book The Right Stuff! These young men certainly had it. So do the young aviators training in Star Wars Canyon, although I am not sure viewers are still allowed on the rim after a crash a number of years ago. Ever been out there?
Your interviews, your stories, your books, your knowledge and your shared passion allow the lives of these great patriots to live on and forever be remembered and honored. Thank you.
I'm sorry for the loss of this amazing man. Nobody could write as you just did about this man. No one can talk about WW 2 like you do! I'm sure your friend appreciated that too! May he rest in peace.
How lucky you are to walk the walk with these true heroes of the battle for not only America but the world. And how amazing that Bud could go on to such long life after the incredible feats of the war years. You must walk on air sometimes…
This old Stirling driver laughed out loud. The Lucas plugs didn't get a buildup on them that lowered the spark, which was what happened to the Champions. US avgas was used everywhere else - the Med, Pacific, etc.
As a teen in the mid sixties my dad and I visited a Mercedes dealer and sat in a second hand Mark 2 Jaguar. The leather and instrument panel are cherished memories.
You're on fire when you write about all things in the air. It's your best work because you do it with the same exhuberance in the narrative that there must have been in the air. And you have commemorated some of America's finest who ever were and who, from the looks of things, will ever be.
We'll never see people like those who fought World War II again. The Romans who lived in the time after the Punic Wars believed those who had lived then were a better people.
They came from all parts of the country, had survived the Great Depression, and sure weren't afraid to take on something by the seat of their pants.
What a tribute of a story to your friend Bud! Thank you for this. Inadequate to say, but I am sorry for your loss. He had a remarkable life, and it sounds like you were privileged to have had his friendship.
Godspeed, sir.
I enjoyed meeting Bud at a business aviation conference about 10 years ago. Hubby (retired Naval aviator, corporate pilot and WWII aviation history buff, especially anything P-51) read extensively about Bud and shared with me the Cliff Notes of Bud’s career.
May he rest in Peace.
Have you gotten your other half a copy of Clean Sweep? There's so many P-51s in there, they're on the cover. :-)
On my to-do list!
Just ordered
Great story, Tom. No wonder they were dubbed the Greatest Generation
What a guy, and what a life. It must have been such a thrill to know him.
Knowing all of them. And they did all that stuff before most of them were old enough to vote.
I know. It really seem like the Greatest Generation became real grownups much earlier than the following generations.
They had to - first the Great Depression, then the war.
The last of my father’s 2 older brothers will be 104 this summer. He flew reconnaissance for Paton not in a P-51 , but in something like a Cessna 150, low and slow, Paton needed to know who and how the Germans were arrayed against him, 300’ surveys gave him the info he needed. The 109’s tried to shoot him down so he would drop down below the tree lines and follow the roads which the 109’s were way too fast to do. I grew up with men like like your friend, they taught me much about honor and the value of our country, they weren’t confused about America, unlike the insipid bastard aka the orange turd, they had more honor in their toenail clippings than he has managed to accumulate in a lifetime. RIP 🙏
That airplane was an L-4 "Grasshopper" as they called it. It was a Piper J-3 Cub, about as basic as you can get (my first 6 hours were in a J-3, which will teach you that the air is an ocean).
With every passing of The Greatest Generation we mourn, but also celebrate, lives well lived. Have you ever gone out to the Aerospace Museum of California? While your friend wasn’t specifically portrayed I love the film and book The Right Stuff! These young men certainly had it. So do the young aviators training in Star Wars Canyon, although I am not sure viewers are still allowed on the rim after a crash a number of years ago. Ever been out there?
Again, so sorry about your friend.
Another fabulous story of the brave young men who fought that war! Enthralling and brilliantly written. You’ve walked with Giants!
I’m sorry to learn about the death of your friend. Thank you for sharing his story. I’m finishing up Timothy Snyde
R’s Bloodlands. I have to take it in small doses because the scope of the killings by Stalin and Hitler is astronomical.
I'm still working my way through that.
Another good one, Tom. I'll try to get the PDFs to you soon.
Your interviews, your stories, your books, your knowledge and your shared passion allow the lives of these great patriots to live on and forever be remembered and honored. Thank you.
I'm sorry for the loss of this amazing man. Nobody could write as you just did about this man. No one can talk about WW 2 like you do! I'm sure your friend appreciated that too! May he rest in peace.
Flattery will get you everywhere, Cecilia. :-)
Fantastic piece TC, I always loved P51’s and imagining flights of the few protecting the many in bomber formations is totally inspiring.
A wonderful tribute Tom to a
fantastic aviator. These lads
were the "seat of your pants"
pilots.
How lucky you are to walk the walk with these true heroes of the battle for not only America but the world. And how amazing that Bud could go on to such long life after the incredible feats of the war years. You must walk on air sometimes…
My condolences to you on the loss of your friend. That generation’s achievements will never be surpassed in the world we know now.
Imagine—something electrical from Lucas actually working (said the old Jaguar owner).
This old Stirling driver laughed out loud. The Lucas plugs didn't get a buildup on them that lowered the spark, which was what happened to the Champions. US avgas was used everywhere else - the Med, Pacific, etc.
By the way, that was an inspirational essay. Thank you.
As a teen in the mid sixties my dad and I visited a Mercedes dealer and sat in a second hand Mark 2 Jaguar. The leather and instrument panel are cherished memories.