From Childhood to War

This story, by Jesse E. Pettey, entitled One More Mission, A Journey From Childhood to War, is about growing up in Texas during the 20s and 30s. He recounts how he loved to terrify his mother and grandmother by climbing trees and train trestles. He had a life of freedom to explore the countryside which sometimes resulted in having to be rescued. He describes his first love, the pranks he and his brother played on each other and his plan to make money by keeping snakes.

Although his family wasn’t directly affected by the depression, he describes the homeless, or hobos as they were called then, and what life was like during those dark days. Hobos would knock on the back door asking for food and his mother would never turn them away. Sometimes they would stay for a while and work for his father.

When barely a young man, he listened to the radio broadcast announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor. He made the decision to enlist. He decided to become a pilot and recounts the scanty training they received before being sent overseas. His account is frightening, but funny at times. He learned ways to cope with the fear and sadness of death.

As he neared the end of his 35 missions, tension mounted. It wasn’t uncommon for someone to be killed just before the end of their tour. In fact, he narrowly escaped with his life. His reactions saved not only his life, but the lives of his crew.

He made it through his missions and was discharged from the Army. He stayed on in Italy for a while working as a cargo pilot. He met a beautiful Italian woman and married her. This is where I got my start. She was my mom. This story is my dad’s.