William Everett Neely in the Aircorps

By: Will, Class of 2004

   William Everett Neely is a resident of Clarion County, Pa who wanted to help contribute in World War II, he did this by joining the Aircorps. First he had to take an entrance examination, where he score the third highest score of the day. He was enlisted on November 20^th 1942.

   Neely was called for active duty and taken to Pittsburgh where he received flying training, took more exams, got instructions, practiced drills, and practiced marching. He then went to college for a month in the Presbyterian College. From there he went to Nashville for classification as a pilot bombardier. Up to this point he was being paid 50 dollars a month.

   His crew was then sent to pick up a new B-17G. It was then placed in an airplane pool to be used as war weary replacements of B-17's. His crew was assigned to 463^rd bomb group, known as Swoosh Group, he was also was assigned with crew the 775^th bomb squadron.

   After completion of his preflight school training at Maxwell Field in Montgomery Alabama, he was sent to Clarksdale Mississippi for his primary training. While he was there he completed a 66 hour and 34 minute aircraft training course. 

    He was sent to Greenville Mississippi for his basic flight training, which took 78 hours and 36 min. He also flew his first night flight while he was there. He graduated flight school in Feb. 8^th 1944, he then received his silver wings.

   After two weeks leave he returned to Napier Field as the Assistant Tactical Officer. After about 11 more hours of flying, he was assigned to a group of Ferry Pilots of PT-17 bi-planes. He was then sent to Yersburs, Tennessee to train to fly a B-17 flying  fortress.      

   After completing his tour of duty he received the air medal with three clusters, the distinguished flying cross, and the European campaign with four clusters. He returned to the states as the first person to land on US soil after V E Day (victory in Europe) He was then assigned as an instructor as preparation for a tour in the pacific. On Nov. 8^th 1945 he returned to civilian life and was placed on inactive reserve until Sept. of 1956.