Vol. 2—No. 34
U. S. Navy Pre-Flight School, Chapel Hill, N. C.
Saturday, May 6, 1944
Captain Rickenbacker to Speak Tuesday
World War I Ace
Will Inspect
Local Program
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker,
flying ace of the last war, will be
aboard the station on next Tues
day to inspect the Pre-Flight Pro
gram and speak before the regi
ment of cadets.
Present plans call for Captain
Rickenbacker to arrive in Chapel
Hill around 1430 Tuesday after
noon. At 1545 he will speak be
fore the regiment of cadets, of
ficers, enlisted men, university stu
dents, and townspeople at Fetzer
Field.
Captain Rickenbacker’s record
is one filled with exciting adven
tures. Beginning as an automobile
racer before the first World War
he won the championships in both
national and international meets.
During the early months of Ameri
ca’s entrance he served under Gen
eral Pershing and afterwards un
der the late General Billy Mitchell,
while attached to the American
Motor Car staff. When General
Mitchell founded the American
Army Air Corps Rickenbacker
■'vas one of the first to join the fly
ing ranks. During the remaining
nionths of the war he distinguish
ed himself, by setting a record of
26 enemy planes destroyed.
Two years ago Captain Ricken
backer suffered severe injuries
''vhen a passenger plane in which
he was flying crashed a short dis
tance from Atlanta. He still walks
With a limp from the results of
this crash. He also survived 24
days on a life raft in the Pacific
When forced down in a flying
fortress.
Since World War II began,
Rickenbacker has contacted for the
^ar Department all Air Corps
groups in the United States and
has made special missions for the
Secretary of War to all the battle
fronts.
RICKENBACKER
Officers’ Picnic
Planned for Hogan’s
Lake on May 13
A picnic for all Pre-Flight
School officers and their families
will be held at Hogan’s Lake on
Saturday, May 13, starting at
1600. Dress will be informal—
sport clothes, slacks, etc.
A nominal charge of $1.00 per
officer will cover all expenses for
his family. Fried chicken will be
served for the evening meal, and
refreshments will be served
throughout the day.
Hogan’s Lake is located five and
a half miles northwest of Chapel
Hill. A car pooling arrangement
will be worked out by departments,
and all those driving private auto
mobiles are urged to take along a
capacity load.
Horseshoes, table tennis, bad
minton, and other games are plan
ned for the occasion.
A picnic committee has been
formed consisting of a represen
tative from the various depart-
See PICNIC, page 3
In Memory of Frank Knox
FROM:
TO:
COMINCH AND CNO
NAVOP
When Frank Knox died, the nation lost a great patriot,
the Navy a great leader. The Navy will long remember his strength
and confidence during the critical days of the war; and his driving
force, his foresight and his wisdom during the better days that have
followed. But most of all, we shall remember his deep devotion and
utter loyalty to his Navy and his country. His leadership will ever
serve as an inspiration to the nation’s men and women, in and out of
uniform. He understood the Navy, not only its problems, its achieve
ments, and its personnel, but its shortcomings. Of all his great quali
ties, I should place first his stout and valiant heart. He was a strong
and fearless fighter and he always fought fairly and resolutely for
his convictions. Throughout the war he has been a stout reliance to all
those charged with the conduct of military operations. Every man and
woman in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard will sorely miss
him. All hands bow our heads in deep esteem and heartfelt sorrow.
He has given his life for his country. We say to him, “Well done,
Frank Knox.” We dedicate ourselves, one and all, to what would
surely have been his last order, “Carry on.”
Movie Schedule
Sat., May 6—Free movie at Vil
lage Theatre, “Stormy Weather”
with Lena Horne and Bill Robin
son. Feature starts at 1400, 1532,
1930, and 2102. Complete show
one hour, 32 minutes.
Sun., May 7—Free movie at
Village Theatre, “Hello, Frisco,
Hello” with Alice Faye and John
Payne. Feature starts at 1318 and
1502, Complete show one hour, 45
minutes.
Enlisted Men Advanced
The following advancements in
rate were effected as of 1 May
1944; Wayne F. Gass,.Joe C.
Moore and Henry D. Selfon, all
from Y2c to Ylc, and Mike A.
Lovera from Sic to Sk3c.
—Welcome—
The U. S. Navy Pre-Flight
School extends welcome to a
small detail of French Naval
Aviation Cadets who reported
aboard this week.
Notice
The Cloudbuster is anxious
to get the names of any officers
who have been detached from
this base who would like to re
ceive the Cloudbuster. Ad
dresses may be mailed or
phoned to the Public Relations
Office, Navy Hall.
46th Battalion
To Dance in Pine
Room Tonight
The Senior Battalion Dance for
members of the 46th Battalion will
be held in the Pine Room of Lenoir
Hall this evening from 2100 to
2400. Liberty for the 46th will be
extended to 0030, with taps com
ing at 0045. Uniform will be ser
vice dress blue, with blue garri
son caps.
The swing orchestra of the Pre-
Flight band will furnish the mu
sic, and refreshments will be
served throughout the evening.