Danny Wilson started his Army Air Force career at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri (February 1943). By then, the army had started sending cadets to area colleges to get some of the “ground school” studies out of the way–something new since his older brother Dale had enlisted the summer before.
Danny was part of the first group to take classes at the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, from March to April 1943.
Then he was sent to Preflight at Santa Ana, California from May to August.
Primary
Ryan Field, Tucson, Arizona
Danny had been in the Army Air Corps for several months when he finally got to fly, During September and October, in a PT-22, logging almost 65 hours.
Caption for Dan’s picture: Minburn, Iowa. Probably posed for the “six months after” photo in the Charles Atlas ads–bulging muscles and Indian tanned, Dan could flick a bicep with the greatest of ease. . . .
Basic
Marana Field, Tucson, Arizona
During November and December, Danny trained in the BT-13 and the AT-6 in Basic, totaling 135 flying hours. His brother Dale also flew the BT-13 a year earlier.
Advanced
Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona
Danny flew the AT-6 (see above, right) at Williams Field, with almost 217 hours before he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force and awarded his wings.
