From Childhood to War

by Ragtimelil

Read a personal account of life of a young boy in the 1920s and 30s. Then ride in a B-24 heavy bomber during WWII. This is the story of Jesse E. Pettey - A book review.

I love reading autobiographies. It’s a glimpse of a life through the author's eyes.

I love reading about the day to day life of earlier times. I like to think about how they got things done without all the conveniences of modern life – how they cooked and cleaned and made things like butter and soap. Children growing up had a much different life.

One More Mission

Pettey

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.

The Depression

homeless

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.

 

The War

PilotWhen 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.

 

 

Bomber Crew

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.

B-24
B-24 Liberator - Aircraft Specials series (6125)

The B-24 Liberator was either loved or hated, there was no in-between. But the giant four engine bomber, in many different models, was a key reason why the Allies won WWII. Incl...

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B-24 Liberator WWII Vintage Airplane Aviation Print Poster (16x20)

B-24 Liberator WWII Vintage Airplane Aviation Print Poster (16x20)

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A Marriage

Carla

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.

Memoirs

Although I might be a bit biased about the book, I have to say I found it fascinating. I knew the people he was describing and I found it a revelation to read how he saw them. There are tales I never heard and stories I didn’t understand as a child. I’ve never been a fan of war stories, but these are very personal accounts of someone I know well. It’s a real story of a real life.

After reading this book, I realize how valuable it is for anyone to write a memoir. It may never be a best seller, but it certainly would have historical value, for their family and the world as well.

Write Your Memoir
The Power of Memoir: How to Write Your Healing Story

A groundbreaking work for healing long-term emotional problemsThe Power of Memoir is a pioneering how-to book that provides a new step-by-step program to use memoir writing as a...

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Writing the Memoir: From Truth to Art, Second Edit

Since Writing the Memoir came out in early 1997 it has sold roughly 80,000 copies and is consistently praised as "the best book on memoir out there." It is thought-provoking, ex...

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Updated: 08/23/2012, Ragtimelil
 
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Ragtimelil on 08/27/2012

Thank you for the compliment. Glad you liked it.

Ragtimelil on 08/25/2012

It is. But it is really a great deal of work, as you know. Some people seem to think they could do it if they wanted. They've no idea how much work is involved. But I think it's worth it in the end.

Mira on 08/25/2012

Wow, how amazing that he wrote a book. I agree that everyone should, even if it's just handed out as a manuscript to their children and grandchildren. There's just so much in a person's life that that person is taking to the grave, and it's a terrible shame.

Ragtimelil on 08/23/2012

It really is special when someone in your family writes down their history. There are stories you'd never know otherwise.
Thanks.

katiem2 on 08/23/2012

WOW Lil how cool, thanks for sharing this treasured family history with us. Very nice!

Ragtimelil on 08/23/2012

Published in 2001 for those who pay attention to dates. I don't I guess.

wrapitup4me on 08/23/2012

This is very exciting! An autobiography by your father! I think you should put somewhere at the beginning of this article when it was published. Maybe I just missed that bit?


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