Oliver Goodall entered the service at Tuskegee in February 1943 but did not begin his training until 1944. He graduated in October 1944 as a multi-engine pilot and was assigned to the 47th Bomber Group at Godman Field, Kentucky in January 1945. With a great transition of instructors and a lot of hard work, he was able to attain his First Pilots rating in six months. He was arrested along with 160 other officers in April 1945 for entering the Officer's Club against the commander's orders. This was known as the Freeman Field Mutiny. By time Congress and the War Department could remove the original commanders and replace them with General Davis, the war in Europe had been won and additional training was needed before they could be sent to the Asian Theater.
By the time training was started, a message was received that no more men would be sent overseas. President Truman had decided to drop the A-bomb that ended the war. Goodall was discharged and used his GI Bill to complete his education. |
