From Hayseed to Jet Pilot and BeyondFrom Hayseed to Jet Pilot and Beyond was written after prompting from the author's children, relatives, and friends to write a book about his colorful life experiences. Initial tales recount life on a small Iowa farm in the 30's. Johnny relates how his life was "forever changed" by World War II with his aspirations of becoming a pilot fulfilled by entering the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program. After the War, he remained in the Air Force as a military pilot, flying over 20 types of planes. With humorous insight he recounts his adventures in many countries and describes his part in making history in the eras of World War II, the Berlin Airlift, NATO, and the Cold War. After retirement from the Air Force, Johnny began a new career as an economic development executive with Northern Natural Gas Company in Omaha. In this position, he called on some of the most senior executives of companies throughout the U.S., promoting the northern plains as a place to do business. Woven in his biography are tales of his many travels, including fascinating, first-hand experiences that occurred while traveling in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Russia and elsewhere. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
My Family Roots | 3 |
Growing up on the Farm | 6 |
Childhood and Elementary School | 14 |
High School | 25 |
Drafted January 15 1943 | 29 |
Transferred To Army Air Corps | 31 |
Pilot Training | 35 |
Retirement from the Air Force | 171 |
My First Civilian Job | 174 |
Acreage in Ponca Hills | 179 |
My Job at Northern Natural Gas Company | 187 |
Flying After Air Force Retirement | 190 |
After Retiring From Northern | 197 |
The Trip to Russia with Al Moudry | 210 |
After Russia and Glorias Problems | 215 |
First Pilot Assignments | 44 |
Off To Combat | 48 |
England | 52 |
Return to the United States | 62 |
Hamilton Field and Gloria Walsh Marries Johnny Clark | 69 |
Berlin Airlift | 78 |
Chanute Field | 95 |
Kessler Field Biloxi Mississippi | 99 |
Rabat French Morocco | 108 |
Naples Italy | 111 |
Savannah Georgia | 138 |
Lincoln Nebraska | 154 |
Hunting | 159 |
After Gloria Left Us | 220 |
Second Trip to Russia | 229 |
First Trip to Australia | 235 |
Travels to U S and Europe | 240 |
New Zealand and Australia Again | 246 |
Family Visits and Trip to Czech Republic | 258 |
Hong Kong and Brothers Passing Away | 264 |
A Trip to the British Isles and Joan Stickrod Says Yes | 269 |
Traveling No Longer Alone | 280 |
Whoopee The final year of the book | 295 |
PostScript | 305 |
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