Upon graduating high school, Earl enlisted in the United States Army at age 17, with his father signing approval. He was facing a life in poor rural West Virginia, working either in the coal mines or the oil field during the Great Depression. He saw the Army as a chance to escape that fate and have a better future.
He rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was recognized for his intellect and people skills. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he drew the attention of General George Patton, the commander there. Patton had a subordinate Colonel recommend Sergeant Starkey for Officers' Candidate School.
Upon his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Earl volunteered for pilot training and was accepted as a cadet. Upon completing basic flight training, Earl went on to advanced pilot training.
Upon graduating, he was selected to train as a bomber pilot. He trained as a co-pilot in the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. He joined a crew of nine others, commanded by First Lieutenant Harold C. Mills and they flew a B-24 across the Pacific Ocean in September 1943, assigned to the 90th Bomb Group of the Fifth Air Force. They joined the intense air bombardments against the Japanese, beginning on the northeast shores of New Guinea.
Although Earl never spoke of his most harrowing bombing missions, a thorough research found he and his crew faced many life and death moments during the period.
Following the war, Earl was assigned to the new service branch, the United States Air Force organized in 1947. He was promoted to captain and then major. In 1961, Earl was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel even though he was not a college graduate.
He retired in 1969, after more than 30 years service. He then completed college work and graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He taught in a multi-grade elementary, rural school for a couple of years.
He was a remarkable man. He was outgoing and never met a stranger. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved by all.
He rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was recognized for his intellect and people skills. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he drew the attention of General George Patton, the commander there. Patton had a subordinate Colonel recommend Sergeant Starkey for Officers' Candidate School.
Upon his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Earl volunteered for pilot training and was accepted as a cadet. Upon completing basic flight training, Earl went on to advanced pilot training.
Upon graduating, he was selected to train as a bomber pilot. He trained as a co-pilot in the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. He joined a crew of nine others, commanded by First Lieutenant Harold C. Mills and they flew a B-24 across the Pacific Ocean in September 1943, assigned to the 90th Bomb Group of the Fifth Air Force. They joined the intense air bombardments against the Japanese, beginning on the northeast shores of New Guinea.
Although Earl never spoke of his most harrowing bombing missions, a thorough research found he and his crew faced many life and death moments during the period.
Following the war, Earl was assigned to the new service branch, the United States Air Force organized in 1947. He was promoted to captain and then major. In 1961, Earl was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel even though he was not a college graduate.
He retired in 1969, after more than 30 years service. He then completed college work and graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He taught in a multi-grade elementary, rural school for a couple of years.
He was a remarkable man. He was outgoing and never met a stranger. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved by all.
Upon graduating high school, Earl enlisted in the United States Army at age 17, with his father signing approval. He was facing a life in poor rural West Virginia, working either in the coal mines or the oil field during the Great Depression. He saw the Army as a chance to escape that fate and have a better future.
He rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was recognized for his intellect and people skills. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he drew the attention of General George Patton, the commander there. Patton had a subordinate Colonel recommend Sergeant Starkey for Officers' Candidate School.
Upon his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Earl volunteered for pilot training and was accepted as a cadet. Upon completing basic flight training, Earl went on to advanced pilot training.
Upon graduating, he was selected to train as a bomber pilot. He trained as a co-pilot in the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. He joined a crew of nine others, commanded by First Lieutenant Harold C. Mills and they flew a B-24 across the Pacific Ocean in September 1943, assigned to the 90th Bomb Group of the Fifth Air Force. They joined the intense air bombardments against the Japanese, beginning on the northeast shores of New Guinea.
Although Earl never spoke of his most harrowing bombing missions, a thorough research found he and his crew faced many life and death moments during the period.
Following the war, Earl was assigned to the new service branch, the United States Air Force organized in 1947. He was promoted to captain and then major. In 1961, Earl was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel even though he was not a college graduate.
He retired in 1969, after more than 30 years service. He then completed college work and graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He taught in a multi-grade elementary, rural school for a couple of years.
He was a remarkable man. He was outgoing and never met a stranger. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved by all.
He rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was recognized for his intellect and people skills. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he drew the attention of General George Patton, the commander there. Patton had a subordinate Colonel recommend Sergeant Starkey for Officers' Candidate School.
Upon his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Earl volunteered for pilot training and was accepted as a cadet. Upon completing basic flight training, Earl went on to advanced pilot training.
Upon graduating, he was selected to train as a bomber pilot. He trained as a co-pilot in the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. He joined a crew of nine others, commanded by First Lieutenant Harold C. Mills and they flew a B-24 across the Pacific Ocean in September 1943, assigned to the 90th Bomb Group of the Fifth Air Force. They joined the intense air bombardments against the Japanese, beginning on the northeast shores of New Guinea.
Although Earl never spoke of his most harrowing bombing missions, a thorough research found he and his crew faced many life and death moments during the period.
Following the war, Earl was assigned to the new service branch, the United States Air Force organized in 1947. He was promoted to captain and then major. In 1961, Earl was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel even though he was not a college graduate.
He retired in 1969, after more than 30 years service. He then completed college work and graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He taught in a multi-grade elementary, rural school for a couple of years.
He was a remarkable man. He was outgoing and never met a stranger. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved by all.
Inscription
LT COL US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
