[2] Gary Filzen (07-Jan-2016 07:57 PM)

OK, I was able to download this book so now all I have to do is get it to Jacksonville, Fl

[1] Gary Filzen (07-Jan-2016 07:41 PM)

Hello, I'm looking for pictures and information on Truax Air Force Base in 1943. My deceased Dad Joseph N. Filzen road in the bombers while adjusting the Radar. My Mother who is now 92 yrs old married my dad up there in Feb. 1943. I am the youngest of five kids at 62 yrs old and would love to bring back memories for my mom. Thank you, Gary A Filzen 850-449-7958

[2] Brent Spencer (18-Sep-2015 11:46 AM)

My friend, Charles Pedrotta, is in this book. Great to see this online. Thanks for helping preserve their history.

[1] Cliff Bachison (20-Jan-2012 11:44 AM)

I own a copy of this book. It belonged to a B-17 pilot named John Jones. He ended up in the 34th Bombardment Group. He went on to become an Air Force Colonel. He was my neighbor and friend until his death a few years ago.

[1] Ben Guttery (30-Oct-2018 08:50 PM)

This is a Basic Pilot Training class book, not the Advanced 2 Engine Pilot Training that also went on at Pecos.

[1] Mary Traver (10-Nov-2010 11:16 AM)

Marv is my husband's late father! Is there any way I could purchase this book for him? Today would actually be Marv's 91st birthday, had he lived.

[1] Paul Webber (20-Mar-2020 11:18 PM)

This is the class book for basic pilot class 43-G at Pecos Army Air Field, Texas. (Class 43-G completed the advanced phase on 28 July 1943.)

Wilburn E. Furr is in this book. He served as a pilot in the 487th Bomb Group at Lavenham, England. He was killed in action due to a midair collision during the 487th Bomb Group mission to Bielefeld, Germany on September 30, 1944. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord, North Carolina. See:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78093113/wilburn-eugene-furr

[1] S hopson (14-Nov-2018 11:30 PM)

I happen to own one of these just wondering how many more exist

[1] Paul Webber (18-Jul-2020 11:12 AM)

Jerome D. Moderski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is pictured in this book. He was killed in action in Germany on March 15, 1945, while serving with the 487th Bomb Group based at Lavenham, England. See:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56359892/jerome-daniel-moderski

[40] Scottie Lockhart (02-Mar-2024 06:24 AM)

I have a book here, not sure of the graduating class number but I was looking through some of the previous comments and see that A.D. Hoffman is in this one that I have. No other names are in this book that I see from the comments above. I have no relation to anyone and don't have anyone who ever attended here. As a veteran myself, I collect rare military items. I am not sure how to find out what class number is the graduating class in this specific book but it has: SD7LA97148 printed at the top of the page with the start of the pictures of the graduating class. Can anyone tell me or direct me to any information that would help identify the class number please. Thank you.

[39] Candace Dee Jarrett (25-Jan-2024 12:30 AM)

My father, Mark Francis Jarrett, from Snohomish WA was a civilian instructor at the school in 1944. I was born in Sioux Falls in '44. After the war, in addition to math and science, Dad taught radio for a few years to high school students in Snohomish.

I would very much like to find one of the yearbooks that has pictures of him.

I bought a book with no year mentioned when Walter R. Weaver was commanding general, but Dad is not in it. There are signatures of 16 friends of "Joe" including his bunkmate with plans to "see you in Tokio." One of the signatures was J.H. Slusher. I would be glad to copy that page if someone were interested.

My brother was a navy pilot during Vietnam and two of my nephews were in the air force in Iraq.

[38] Sophia Grajeda (22-Sep-2023 08:27 PM)

I have my dad's graduating picture it says Class 18B. Would that be 1943?

[37] junior iannacone (20-Aug-2023 04:12 PM)

Looking for Tech book at Sioux Falls air base.With a picture Guido F. Iannacone.Will pay 1000 dollars for book.I am His son Quido Iannacone .

[36] Sophia (25-Mar-2022 05:09 PM)

To add to my posting on March 21, 2022. My dad spent more time somewhere in WI training for radio tech homing station devices and signals (sorry technical wording is not correct.) His training was original as a radioman in a plane. He spent most of his time in China in a small camp in a six-foot by six-foot mobile radio shack with a six-foot antenna that could be rotated to guide pilots back home in the fog. Once pilots knew their location, they turned communications over to the tower, who brought them into the landing strip a few miles away from my dad's location. Filed for my dad's military records two and a half years ago and have not heard or seen any results. Open for suggestions.

[35] Sophia (21-Mar-2022 02:46 PM)

This is a shot in the dark. My dad was at AAF Radio Tech School in South Dakota for three months in early 1943 before he was sent to AAF Radio Tech School for five months in Tomah, WI. His name is Miguel Berumen Gonzalez, any luck you might find him.

[34] John Shelton Burgess III (24-Apr-2021 05:52 PM)

My Father attended this class (52) and was in this book however I remember him telling me he got double pneumonia and was in the hospital for several months. I don't know if he got sick when the class finished or if he got sick in a prior class and had to finish in class 52 when he got better. Would be nice to know. He was a radio operator on a DC-3. This would be great to find out and if anyone has more info please share. Thank!

[33] Wayne Schlueter (08-Feb-2020 11:00 PM)

My Mother taught code there. Her name was Luella Gropel. I don???t know the years she taught but would like to hear from any one that remembers her.

[32] Cherie Clark (06-Jun-2018 01:28 PM)

Jack Botts, you were there at the same time as my father Arthur Daniel Hoffman do you remember him?rn

[31] Cherie Clark (10-May-2018 03:07 PM)

This is crazy, my father attended radio school here and looks like this was his class he is in the book twice once noted by the owner. I have no memories of my father so this was a treat. His name was Arthur D Hoffman or A D Hoffman.

[30] Ann Cottrell (10-Apr-2018 03:09 AM)

My grandfather was at the radio school in Sioux Falls between Jan. and Feb. of !944. His name was Robert James Roberts. Do you have is info in one of the year books?

[29] Rick C (17-Aug-2017 09:24 AM)

RE: "Match the class numbers with the books"
Several sources - the best being REVELLE FOR SIOUX FALLS" by Professor Lynwood Oyos at the Augusata Univ history dept. in Sioux Falls.
He has a chapter on the commanders of the school and only one cammander was cammanding during the dates given in the microfilm above - I have books with at least 3 commanders with grad diplomas into 1944.
I will post later today names and dates..
I WIL

[28] Rick (10-Aug-2017 09:48 PM)

How do you know class 52 is SD7LA97148??? I have 10 class books with similiar class numbers, but I also have books for 1,2,3,5,6,8,11,16,20,21,22,24,30 and 33 with no such number.
How do get 52 out of SD7LA97148??????

[27] Rick C (15-Jul-2017 09:20 PM)

I live in Sioux Falls and have collected 37 of the class books like this one.
Anyone wanting me to look up a relative, send me their name, and about when they served if you know.
I will look them up , and if I have it copy the picture page and email it.
Rick Castardo, MSgt, USAF (ret)
vietvet@sio.midco.net

[26] Joe Cermak (30-Aug-2016 03:38 PM)

The brother mentioned in Item 25 was T/Sgt. J.A.Cermak. He then went on to aerial gunners school in Yuma, AZ. From there he went to bomber crew (B-17) in Dyersburg, Tennisee. From there to Newport News, Va. He was then assigned to an airbase in Foggia, Italy with the 15th Army Air Force. He had more than 30 missions at the war's end in Europe. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged at Indiantown Military Reservation in PA. in OCt. or Nov of 1945.

[25] Joe Cermak (28-Aug-2016 01:15 PM)

My brother was at the radio school in the fall/winter of 1943. He told me an incident in Dec.1943 of the plane they were training in having a problem and were forced to land at a high school sports field in the Sioux Falls area. He and the pilot were invited to the high school Christmas party (1943) and then continued back to the base when the weather improved. Can anyone in that school remember that incident?

[24] Mike Voisin (20-Aug-2016 09:15 AM)

Mr. Botts, thank you for your service to our country!

[23] JACK Botts (19-Aug-2016 02:29 PM)

I was a radio-operator-mechanic student at Sioux Falls AAF radio school in the last half of 1943. Three shifts of students, day and night. Served later in the 15th AF in Italy in B-17s. Flew 30 missions in the 97th BG, 414th Sqdn.

[22] Lori Boudreau (16-Dec-2015 08:43 PM)

Sanna Gaffney: Did you know Private Quido F. Iannacone. He enlisted March 7, 1944 in New Haven Connecticut and was discharged from Bergstrom air base in Austin TX. He was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was in the 8th Army Airforce. Oh, he was at Sioux Falls from 1944-45. I thought he was in class 52 radiomen but i did not see him in the book here on the site. I also found information saying he had Occupational skills of building of aircraft N.E.C. We were told there are no records of him except his last pay stub in 1945. If you have any information as to what class book he may have been in I would so appreciate it. We are specifically looking for a picture of him. Thank you, please email me if you have ANY information. Lori

[21] Loretto (06-Dec-2015 08:21 PM)

My father, Frank G. Thompson, attended radio school at Sioux Falls from March 28 - August 20, 1944. He was in Class 46. He mentions some of his classmates in his letters, of which we have hundreds from his time in Sioux Falls.

Michael Tharp, regarding contributing your documents, there is a program through the Library of Congress called the Veterans History Project, and they are looking for and preserving documents of any war veterans. I would contact them and see if they would like your documents. They are interested in our letters once we are ready to part with them. They only want original documents. Hope that helps.

[20] Dan Ward (03-Jul-2015 06:33 PM)

I have recently restored and am flying aircraft tail number 326928, which is a 1943 L-3B. It was stationed at Sioux Falls, SD from 8 Aug 43 to Aug 44. I would be interested in knowing if anyone has a record of a relative flying that particular airplane during this time period. I will gladly share photo's if interested.

Thank You. Dan

[19] Elizabeth Brandt (02-Jul-2015 09:17 AM)

My dad, Vincent L. Ambrosas attended the training school in 1944. I have his book with his picture but can't identify any other details. On top of the page is B79353R. Am hoping to find any info about his service.
He was in the 376 Bomb Group, 515 Squadron in Charles Wimberly crew.

[18] Michael Tharp (28-Feb-2015 10:42 PM)

My father, Robert John Tharp, was in class 18. I have his class booklet with photos of the school and class members, etc. It is in good shape and I would love to have it added to someone's collection, if there is such a thing, rather than just tossed when I pass. Let me know if there is a place or person to whom I can send it.

[17] John (11-Nov-2014 08:39 PM)

Thanks for the interesting back story on the radio school at Sioux Falls. My Dad, Walter H. Tremel attended the radio school sometime during late 1944 and early 1945. He always spoke of catching pneumonia and ending up in the hospital for a week and having to start over with a new group (class). If anyone has any information they would like to share, it would be great to hear from you.

[16] Margo (05-Oct-2014 12:48 AM)

My dad, Henry Hausdorff, taught at the SF base first as a civilian and later as a soldier, from approx. 1942-1944. If anyone remembers having him as a teacher, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

[15] Shelley (22-Sep-2014 12:43 AM)

I am looking for any information about my grandfather who would have been at the school in Sioux Falls between march and june of 1944 his name was James Vincent Spear. My mother never got to meet him and we know nothing about him. Please help

[14] Troy Gilmore (09-Dec-2013 10:23 PM)

My grandfather graduated between April and July of 1943 and I'm trying to find any that he might be in.
M.E. Gilmore is the name. Can anyone help?

[13] Gerry Hickel (28-Oct-2013 11:47 PM)

Can anyone tell me if there is a way to find out the exact dates my Father was at Sioux Falls?

[12] Gerry Hickel (24-Oct-2013 11:34 PM)

My Dad was at Sioux Falls Radio School from August 1944 to November 1944 (my best guess). I'm not sure which number class that would be but if anyone has a book or books from classes during that timeframe I would love to have them check for my Dad, Gerard Hickel. Thanks !!

[11] Tony (01-Jul-2013 11:12 PM)

I recently discovered my dad's WWII AAF Tech School Class Eleven class book. Not one mark in it - great condition! Going to keep it.

[10] Larry Caldwell (14-May-2013 04:44 PM)

In response to Ana Wade. I have two add'l Radio School Class books and in one there is a student identified as, 'M.A. Montoya'.

Go to the webmaster of this site and he can share my email address. Drop me a note and I can scan the photo so you can determine if this is your relative.

[9] Rick C (26-Dec-2012 02:13 PM)

Douglas Roberts says his father graduated class 20 Mar 15, 1944, yet the class list from the AFHRA microfilm indicated class 20 graduated April 21, 1943.

[8] Rick c (25-Dec-2012 05:52 PM)

SANNA
Pls contact me rej remaining buildings of the base; I live in Sioux Falls and am dkoing a photo study of what is left.
IF ANYONE READING THIS CAN HELP, I would appreciate input; base hospital, radio tower, fire dept, etc.
Rick c

[7] Bbfmckay (17-Apr-2012 11:22 PM)

Just found my grandfather's yearbook, class 15. This page was very helpful in dating the publication as I was unable to find a date within the booklet.

[6] Douglas Roberts (27-Nov-2011 08:04 PM)

My father was in the graduating class 20 , March 15,1944

H.D. Roberts

[5] jr iannacone (11-Sep-2011 02:22 AM)

My father was in training therein 1944. I would love to find a graduate manual,with his picture . His name was guido iannacone ,he died in 1954 and we have no pictures of him. He was trained as a radio gunner. I hope i have that right. thank for hearing me out.

[4] Larry (17-Aug-2011 11:41 PM)

This sheds a lot of light on how radio personell were trained and what tools they ahd availbale in that time period. Really enlightning. Thanks for the great collection.

[3] ana wade (28-Oct-2010 03:18 PM)

My father's Graduation booklet is dated June 1944. However, the date in the Grad booklet is June 14 and it says Class 35 but his Certificate of Training reads June 19, 1944 and says Class 36. His name was Mauro Montoya. Hope this helps.

[2] Win Bryson (31-Jan-2009 03:29 PM)

To help match Class 'Numbers' with 'Books', can anyone identify 'Classes & dates' beyond Class 24 (per this AFHRA Microfilm (Roll A2403) list:

class    dates,ddmmyy
-------- -------------
Class 01 091704-120942
Class 02 092442-121642
Class 03 100142-122342
Class 04 100142-123042
Class 05 101542-010643
Class 06 102242-011343
Class 07 102942-012043
Class 08 100542-012743
Class 09 111942-020343
Class 10 111942-021043
Class 11 112642-021743
Class 12 120342-022443
Class 13 121042-030343
Class 14 121742-031043
Class 15 122442-031743
Class 16 123142-032443
Class 17 010743-033143
Class 18 011443-040743
Class 19 012143-041443
Class 20 012843-042143
Class 21 020443-042843
Class 22 021143-050543
Class 23 021843-051243
Class 24 022543-051943

[1] Sanna Gaffney (29-Aug-2008 11:11 AM)

I taught radio code there in 1943-44

[8] Marty Whitacre (02-Apr-2023 01:38 PM)

My uncle attended Radio School from March 1943 - September 1943, then went on to Gunner's school. He was killed in action in mid-1944, however I recently located all his letters home and am working on documenting them - possibly for a book. So doing a lot of research. Great info in this book, it'll come in handy.

Thanks - Marty

[7] Jerry Lloyd (24-Oct-2019 01:09 PM)

My dad, Sgt. John K. Lloyd was a radio instructor at the Sioux Falls Radio School 1942 to early 1944. They he went to India to Fly the Hump as a Radio Operator in c-54's. He met my mom, Shirley Smith at the base she worded at the soda fountain show in the book about the base- "Reveille Sioux Falls". Good book about the base and time.... Wish I could learn more about my dad and the base, he died when I was 18! ANY info or leads would be great.

[6] Paul Gunby (28-May-2019 11:41 PM)

Thank you so much for posting these!
My dad trained at Sioux Falls in 1942, and I haven't been able to find his class book... but this is great!

[5] Rick C (20-Aug-2017 08:03 AM)

Found grimm's record atrnhttps://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=1&tf=F&q=14119323&bc=&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=938333rn

[4] quido iannacone (13-Sep-2011 12:23 AM)

I have a letter from my father Guido F. Iannacone sent from sioux falls postmark july 4th 1944 . He was in training. Looking for class book july , august or sept. of 44. email me at bringbackjr@aol.com Ihave no pictures of my father. Any info would be much appreciated.

[3] Cheryl (23-Feb-2010 12:39 AM)

The original owner of this book is my uncle Clifton Leroy Grimm Jr. He did indeed go on to fly in B17 bomber in World War II. He passed away when I was a child. I have been researching my familiy's history for some time. I happened across this website doing a search for his father, of the same name, Clifton Leroy Grimm Sr. I would like to know if this book is for sale and how much it would cost for me to purchase the one owned by my uncle, Clifton Leroy Grimm Jr. Thank you very much. By the way, how did you come to know it was owned by him at one time?

[2] Al Lorenz (17-Aug-2008 09:04 PM)

I had never heard of a graduation book for our class of July l944 and would appreciate hearing from anyone that knows of one.

[1] Al Lorenz (17-Aug-2008 09:03 PM)

I'm searching for Class graduating July 1944. I don't recall ever receiving such a book for our class. If you know of any I'd appriate hearing from anyone.

[1] Alfred N Lorenz (04-Aug-2008 09:53 PM)

Looking for Class of 42-44 7-25-44

[1] Chris (09-Apr-2020 04:11 PM)

Twin Engine

[1] JIm (01-Nov-2020 07:03 PM)

I am honored to know a man who graduated with this class. Thank you for keeping this record.

[2] Nicole Milton (25-Mar-2024 01:34 AM)

My grandfather, Jack Milton is also in this book. My dad has a copy of it also and I am working on writing a biography for my grandfather. However, finding information about him is proving very difficult.

[1] Dan Beverly H Reigle (28-Oct-2018 04:01 PM)

We are thrilled to find this copy of this class book. Beverly's father, James R. Butler, is on pdf page 34, and his friend Barlow Brown is on pdf page 33. They were "best men" for each other's wedding, Browns' just before they left Blackland, and Butlers just after they arrived at Gowen Field in Boise for B-17 transition. Butler flew 54 missions in the 301st BG in the Mediterranean theater, and remained in the AAF/USAF after the war until he was killed in a B-26 accident flying out of Biggs AFB in 1949. Brown flew in the 388th BG out of England, was shot down on 6 Sep 1943, and interned in Switzerland until the end of the war. He lived in Seattle until 1980.

Many thanks for collecting these materials and making them available.

Dan

[1] Mark Erickson (03-Jul-2014 09:06 PM)

Wow. This is incredible to come across. My father is in here, Ernest Anders Erickson. Many thanks for posting the PDF file, so i can see the whole book, and it was a thrill to come across my dad. I have that photo, but never knew it was from his graduation at Blackland on October 1, 1943. Many many thanks.....Mark Erickson.

[1] Daniel Piper (23-Jan-2019 04:26 PM)

My Mother, Jo Flaherty, was enrolled at the University at this time. She belonged to the Alpha Phi Sorority, whose sorority house was requisitioned for Cadet housing. she married a local fellow, my father (also an Army Air Corps Pilot), upon his return after the War. She related that the co-ed student population was very happy to have these boys come to Missoula, for most of the able bodied fellows had gone off to war. I would imagine these Cadets were just as pleased!

[1] Paul Webber (11-Mar-2020 04:30 PM)

I found eleven veterans of the 487th Bomb Group in this book. They were all commissioned on October 7, 1943:
1. Thomas S. Mackie, 956 Anchor Street, Philadelphia
2. Francis W. Moan, 229 Auburn Street, Auberndale, Massachusetts
3. Stanley A. Slusarczyk, 248 Pringle, East Carnegie, Pennsylvania
4. Cecil J. Smith, Nemaha, Iowa
5. Theodore G. Tatsios, 122 Dummer Street, Lowel, Massachusetts
6. Franklyn Richard Theriault, Goshen Road, Salem, Ohio
7. Norman Tipograph, 1316 East 8th Street, Brooklyn, New York
8. Arthur R. Wright, 295 South Main Street, Warsaw, New York
9. Vitold A. Zalneraitis, 221 So. Common Street, Lynn, Massachusetts
10. Rudolph J. Zebora, 15 Hobart Street, Meridan, Connecticut
11. Walter V. Zmud, 322 Saratoga Street, Cahoes, New York
Four of these men were killed in action: Thomas S. Mackie, Stanley A. Slusarczyk, Cecil J. Smith, and Rudolph J. Zebora. One of these men, Vitold A. Zalneraitis, became a prisoner of war.

[1] Bruce Demsky (28-Nov-2008 03:44 PM)

My father, Bruno Demsky, was a civilian flight instructor at the Pacific Air School in 1944, in Ft. Stockton, Texas.

[1] Kenneth Smith (12-Apr-2022 11:23 PM)

I have 44 C one of my Dads books. His name is Ovide Smith, and was a flying instructor at Gibbs Field.

[2] GC (03-Oct-2016 02:10 PM)

There is a picture of John E. Smith in this book as a Flying Instructor. I had and Uncle John Enoch Smith in Fort Stockton, TX. Would this happen to be him? Any information on this picture of John E. Smith? Please post your answer to this website. Solo Book 44-B. I will be checking for answers! Thank you!

[1] Marty Hankee Barbush (13-Oct-2012 08:16 PM)

I have my father's ( William Byron Hankee )copy of Solo and was pleasantly surprised to see this appear in the collection. I've enjoyed reading all of the comments made among fellow cadets and friends. I shared this site with my older brother who informed me that he was named after the cadet pictured next to my father ( Quentin C. Hanel ); something I had not known. Thanks to the AAFC for establishing this wonderful website and honoring those who served. Marty/Rick Barbush

[1] Jimmie R Smith (04-Aug-2013 09:43 PM)

A few years ago I saw a copy of the bottom photo on page 13 of SOLO 43-K on the internet. Although it had no names our family correctly identified our dad, Ovide Smith, as the 3rd person from the left on the bottom row.
We have dad's volumes of SOLO 44-A, C, and E. Thank you for posting the SOLOs.