MONROE Q. WILLIAMS was born on Oct.21, 1921 and raised on a cotton farm near the small town of Baldwyn, Miss. I graduated from Baldwyn High in 1940 and was awarded a foot ball scholarship at East Central Jr. College, Decatur, Miss. Because of a broken shoulder in training, I left college and joined the CCC (civilian conservation corp.). Spent seven months at Camp Rainier, Wash and was ask to return to college on the scholarship.

In the summer of 1942, after completing one year of college, I was notified that I would be drafted in the fall. I was drafted into the Army Air Corp in October and, after basic training in Miami Beach, Fla. , was assigned to aircraft mechanic school in Amarillo, Texas.

During my training, I applied and qualified for cadets. Three days after graduation I was on my way to San Antonio for preflight. Primary was at Corsicana, Texas; Basic was at Greenville, Texas and Advance was at Eagle Pass, Texas, Graduating Jan 7, 1944 with class 44A.

After ten hours of P-40 transition training at Moultre, Ga., I was on my way to Richmond, Va. for training in the P-47. On June 25, I sailed on the Queen Mary to England . After a brief stay at Atcham, I was assigned to the 351st Ftr Sq. of the 353rd Ftr Gp, arriving July 30, 1944 .

During my tour, we flew P-47 aircraft, primarily dive bombing and strafing up through France, and southern Germany in support of the ground troops. During the first part of October, we changed to P-51 aircraft, primarily for long range escort of the bombers. I flew 63 missions (270 combat hours) and was credited with one Me 109 destroyed.

Upon my return from England in April 1945, I was assigned as production control officer at Eglin Air Proving Ground, Fla. After that, I was assigned as Aircraft Engineering Officer with 10th Air Force Hq, Offutt AFB, Omaha, Neb. After SAC moved us off Offutt in 1948, I volunteered to go to the Berlin Airlift at Rhine Maine , Frankfurt , Germany as an Engineering Officer/Pilot. After the Airlift, I remained in Germany, as a line pilot, with the 10th Troop carrier Squadron, flying C-82 aircraft.

Upon my return from Germany , I was assigned to the 3499th Mobile Training Group, Chanute AFB, Ill as a Mobile Training Detachment Commander. While there, I was selected, along with two other officers, three GS civilians, and three ranking NCOs, to plan, service test, and implement a new Field Training Concept for the Air Force. This resulted in the organization of a Field Training Wing with two Field Training Groups.

In 1959, the Field Training organization moved to Amarillo , Texas and became a part of the Amarillo Tech Training Center . In 1962, I became the Director of the Dept. Of Aircraft Training and remained so till my retirement, as a Lt/Col, on Feb. 28, 1965 .

After retirement, I became a District Representative for Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance and served for 22 years, retiring Jan 1, 1987.

Now, at age 83, I am back flying P-47s and P-51s in Virtual combat on Jane's ww2 Fighter and Forgotten Battles simulators. Also serve as Historical Advisor on http://www.rcwarbirds.com/ website

We are truly lucky to have Monroe fly with our rendition of the 353rd Virtual Fighter Group. He's been an integral part of the squad for many years and and continues to help us imporve our skills while being a great friend and mentor. We are honored to have him in our lives.