Veterans History Project

In the years 1941 through 1945, America’s teenagers had serious decisions to make. America was engaged in war. The teens, mostly young men, could pick a branch of the US Military to serve in. The US Navy would take them at age 17! The Marines, Army Air Corps, and Army wanted them a bit more mature.

Harold, “Hal” Armstrong chose the Army Air Corps. He liked the aspect of aviation and couldn’t get real excited about marching and eating one’s food from a can. He had completed more than a year in college at the Colorado School of Mines. In December 1942, he enlisted. Because of his college accomplishments, and the results of other testing, he was accepted.

Soon, he was on his way to becoming a bomber pilot. Over the next year, he would be schooled in the progressive elements of flight. It would take place at several training installations across the country. There was basic training at Jefferson Barracks, MO (near St. Louis), Cadet Training Detachment at Oshkosh, WI, pre-flight or ground training at Santa Ana Army Air Base, CA, Cadet Primary Training at Morton Air Academy, CA Cadet Basic Flight Training at Gardner Field, CA, Cadet Advanced Flight Training at Fort Sumner Army Air Base in NM, B-24 Phase training at Gowen Field, ID, and B-24 Staging at Forbes Army Air Base in KS. WHEW!

After the lengthy training, and familiarization with the crew and the B-24 “Liberator” aircraft, the date is now 14 July 1944. From the Kansas location, the crew left for Europe in their new plane, prepared for overseas duty. There were lots of planes and crews doing the same thing. After leaping from KS to Greenland to Ireland, the men landed their planes at Shipdam, England. Hal was assigned to the 66th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. After a brief time of familiarization, there were bombing missions to complete. Hal kept a precise log of the missions. The first six combat missions were OK. There were dozens of planes in these bombing runs. The altitude flown was in the range of 20K feet above sea level.

On the seventh mission, the planes left Shipdam, England and attained their proper flight formation. The planes were attacked by planes from the Luftwaffe. As they had dropped their cargo on the German targets, the B-24s headed for England. The plane Hal and his crew were flying was hit by anti-aircraft. The hit was catastrophic and the plane was on fire. The crew had to eject. The plane was at 20K feet and was dropping fast. Hal was burned in the face and hands. He made his jump from the noise and furious danger of the sinking B-24. He pulled the cord on his parachute and continued to the ground. It was a peaceful drop, he said.

Once on the ground, he freed himself from the cords of the parachute, then organized himself. His face hurt as did his hands, but he was alive. He had no idea where the other men were. (It was later reported that the tail gunner’s body was found in the plane’s wreckage.) He started to make his way out of the gully he landed in and happened to look up to see a soldier aiming a rifle at him. The German locals were not hospitable to the flyers of the planes that bombed their homes and villages. This soldier was calm enough to take Hal to a man who knew something about medical care.

Hals face and hands were wrapped up. The bandages contained some stuff that was unknown to Hal, but the caretaker kept it on him for about a week. Eventually, Hal was taken to the local Nazi constabulary where he joined other men who seemed to be in the same boat as he. They were Prisoners of War.

The men were transported to Stalag Luft #1, near Barth, Germany. From the first of October 1944 through the mid- May 1945, Hal was confined to this facility. The captured prisoners were largely airmen. Their mere presence is said to have shielded the Barth community from aerial attacks. Hal said it was so close to the Baltic Sea that he could throw a rock and hit water. Life here was just OK. (It is easy to think of the situation of Hogan’s Heroes but Stalag Luft #1 wasn’t so much that way.) The men received care packages through the Red Cross. The men were advised that if they even poked their heads out of a door, they would be shot. Two of the prisoners did just that and the guards shot them dead. The dogs and the guards were vicious and not to be challenged. Lessons learned.

At the time of year, temperatures were extremely cold. Survival meant keeping warm, at best. The men talked about home, girlfriends, wives, cars and life after the war. In mid-May 1945, word that the war was over had spread and Hal knew their release was soon to happen. Less than a week after V.E. Day the Stalag’s gates were opened by Russian forces. They consisted of a small branch of the Russian Army made up of men from Mongolia. They were ruthless marauders who came upon this POW site. The German guards fled. The Mongols opened the gates then left heading on to better places to raid.

In time, Hal and others ( to be known as Project R) made contact with friendly forces and were soon taken to a re-organization and rest location in France. Groups of soldiers were assigned to areas named by popular American cigarette brands. Hal was in “Lucky Strike”. They did a few tasks to keep them busy and regain lost strength. Hal had some received back pay and he toured Paris for a few days. Hal and others were taken to the large piers in France where they boarded a troop ship for the United States.

Once on home soil, Hal was “mustered out” of the US Army Air Corps. And returned home to Pueblo, CO.

With the use of the GI Bill, Hal returned to college at Colorado School of Mines. He graduated with a Degree in Metallurgy. He returned to Pueblo and found work right away. Things were going well! He was assigned to an inactive reserve unit, but that wasn’t much to worry about.

In August 1950, Hal was notified by mail that he was being called back to Active Duty. He was to report to Fort Warren at Cheyenne, WY. Dang!

Some changes had taken place with regard to various military commands. There was now an Air Force that had evolved from the Army Air Corps. After awaiting assignment and some catch-up classes, Hal was sent to MacDill Air Force Base, located at the south edge of Tampa Bay, FL. (This base currently houses Air Force units and US Central Command.)

At MacDill AFB, Hal was introduced to the B-29. This is the Super Fortress. A high-altitude bomber. Smooth, large, and an aircraft with lots of capability. Hal said he liked it much better than the B-24. Although it was bigger and heavier, it was easier to fly.

Hal went through phase training wherein his crew was assembled and trained as a group. In not much time, he was assigned to bomber squadrons and bomb groups. He was assigned to March Air Force Base and remained there for about six weeks. In February1951, the next destination was Kadena Air Force Base on the Island of Okinawa. He was in the 371st Bomber squadron, 307th Bomb Group. The planes were to fly bombing missions over North Korea aimed at infrastructure (rail depots, fuel storage sites, etc.

The summer of 1951 had Hal and others flying missions north. Their plane did not drop its load. It was struck by enemy aircraft. The four put several huge holes in the fuselage of the B-29. Again, some crew members were lost. The plane went into a spiral dive, still with fuel and bombs aboard. Hal and others were lucky enough to be over friendly soil when they ejected. After safely landing, the men were gathered and taken to safety.

Hal was soon re-assigned to stateside duty and sent to MacDill AFB again. During this entire call-up, Hal was encouraged to sign the voluntary “indef” papers indicating to his commands that he was staying for the duration. Hal didn’t think that was such a good idea. Rightfully so.

Hal did some training on flying re-fueler aircraft while the Air Force tried to figure out his next assignment. When asked by his Commander what his plans were, Hal asked to be released. On 1 April 1953, he was discharged.

Hal resumed his career in Metallurgy in Pueblo, CO.

He flew sixty three combat hours and over six hundred hours of total flying time. He was a 1st Lieutenant when he left the Air Force.

Great job, 1st Lieutenant Armstrong! Thank you for your service!

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.