On a sunny summer day in June 1950, America was jolted with the news of the North Korean invasion of South Korea. There was a group of men this news was to influence greatly. Within 16 days we were back on active duty, training to take our place in the Korean War.
Not only were we training in an airplane most of us had hardly gotten used to. To compound that we found we were to be the first Light-Night Attack squadron in Air Force history. In addition to being in the first Reserve Wing to ever be recalled intact, this dubious distinction only added to our apprehension.
From the moment of recall on August 10th, 1950 to the end of July, 1951, this group of Reservists was to write a thrilling saga of what can be accomplished by men who have the innate sense of patriotism to get the job done.
Flying alone at night, at minimum altitudes over enemy territory is not conducive to longevity, but this group of air crewmen accomplished much more than could be expected in the light of circumstances.
Sit back, fasten your seat belt and live the saga of the 731st Bomb Squadron,
L-NA (Light-Night Attack).
It was in the Base Theater in Greensboro, NC, one night in August 1950. The movie suddenly stopped and a Colonel stepped on stage. "We interrupt this movie to tell you-THE WAR IS OVER!!" Joy erupted. The second announcement was that we were all restricted to the base. I turned to the guy beside me and said, "This calls for a drink." He agreed, and we left the theater for the "O" club. Thus began a 60+ year friendship between the authors. Chet had just come back from the 15th Air Force and Andy from the 8th. Through the years we got together in such exotic places as London, El Paso, and Casablanca. When the Korean War broke, Andy was among the initial Recallees. Chet was later recalled, and joined us at George AFB.
Chet wrote his book, "Every Man a Tiger" in 1982. Several years later we collaborated on a new book complete with pictures from our squadron history book that we had compiled in Japan while waiting for orders to return to the States. We agreed in 1995 that we needed to get a new book out with his as the basis, and an expanded narrative that had been requested by the 731st members. Andy added his chapters, along with other members. Thus was born "Involuntary."
Chet now resides in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Andy in Aztec, New Mexico.
