Page 77 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

WALTER MCGINNESS
HIGHLAND SPRINGS RESIDENT, ARMY AND AIR FORCE
I was drafted upon turning 18 in December 1944 and went through Army basic training in Macon, Georgia in January 1945, graduating as an infantry Rifleman in April 1945. Was on a troop transport in mid-Pacific when World War II ended. Upon hearing that the 11th Airborne Division was looking for volunteers, I quickly signed up and was one of the first men to go through their new Jump School. I earned my jump wings in January 1946 in Sendai, Japan. After further training, I became a Jump Master. I continued at the jump school until my enlistment was up, and I was discharged from the army in April 1947.
I used the GI bill to learn to fly, earning a commercial flying license. I joined with a partner, Earl Newton, and we earned income by putting on air shows, doing minor stunt flying and parachute jumping (“barnstorming”). We were recognized as the lead story in the July 24, 1949 Parade magazine.
In September 1949 I was accepted in the Air Force for pilot training, earning my wings and commission in November 1950 as a “Distinguished Military Graduate”. My combat tour in Korea (1952-1954) was in the A-26 Douglas Invader flying “road and rail reconnaissance” where we were assigned an area and any road or rail traffic observed was to be destroyed. Allow me to brag: I had the best combat record in my squadron; the 34th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Wing during the time from October 1953 through March 1954 when I completed my 50 missions and then went home.
Next was Air Defense Command flying the B-29 for two years as PIC (Pilot in Command) before I transferred to a B-57 squadron. I flew the B-57 for my combat tour in Vietnam (1963-1964) flying out of Tan Son Nhut. Using new technology, infrared (IR) cameras, we located enemy encampments at night through their heat emissions. I had two combat tours, Korea (50 missions) and Vietnam (63 missions). I retired from the Air Force as a of Lieutenant Colonel with over 7000 flying hours. I earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (2) and Air Medal (10) for combat flying.
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