LT. Colonel James Elsner
US Army Air Corps - Pilot P 40
354th Fighter Wing
Aleutian Islands
1943-1968
US Army Air Corps - Pilot P 40
354th Fighter Wing
Aleutian Islands
1943-1968
James Elsner was born April 11, 1919 in Hartford, CT where he grew up with his three brothers. He graduated from the Roxbury Academy in Cheshire, CT. in 1937 and went on to attend Hobart College. After completing college in 1941 Jim was drafted at the age of 22. Jim's three brothers were also drafted. Jim started out in the Signal Corps but developed an interest in flying. He took an exam and a physical to join the Aviation Cadets, passed, and was accepted to begin his journey to become a pilot.
In August of 1941 Jim headed to Maxwell AFB for pre-flight training. His next stop was Whiteman AFB in Missouri where he trained on a PT-23 for two months. From there he was sent to Walnut Ridge Army Airfield in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas where he trained on PT-13’s which Jim recalled being a much larger aircraft. Here Jim recalled learning night flying and long-distance flying. “We did a lot of cross country flying.”
Jim continued his training at Napier Field in Dothan, Alabama flying the AT-6 before being sent to Egland Field in Florida. There he received his introduction to gunnery training. Jim recalled part of the training was a plane towing a “white rag about a hundred feet long.” The fighters in the training program would fire their guns at the rag to perfect their accuracy. “There weren’t many hits.” His next stop was Pinellas Air Force Base where he learned to fly the Curtis P-40 WarHawk, which would be the plane Jim took on his deployment.
Jim found the training to be “nerve wracking because a lot of people were washing out.” He was anxious to get into the battle and one day it was announced that they were looking for volunteers to serve in Attu, Alaska. Jim raised his hand and was selected.
When Jim arrived in Attu the American troops had pushed the Japanese out of the western end of Aleutian Islands in 1943. He joined the 18th Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. Although the fighting was over when he arrived, they trained and flew patrols to deter further Japanese incursions and defend the American borders. Jim named his Curtis P-40 Warhawk Carolyn, after his mother. The squadron had two springer Spaniels as mascots, Zero and Stuka.
In December of '45 he left the Army but remained active in the CT Air National Guard and continued to fly until 1968. Jim was activated for the Korean War but did not have to deploy.
After the war Jim landed a job as a credit manager at the G. Fox Department Store in Hartford, CT and later at a local bank, The Society for Savings. Jim met his wife Dorothy while he was working at G. Fox. She was working in the foundations department. They were married in 1950 and spent their honeymoon in Bermuda. Jim and Dorothy have 3 children, seven grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Dorothy is the love of his life. Unfortunately, knee problems have confined her the Hebrew Home in West Hartford, CT where he visits her once a day. Every Saturday night is their date night, and Jim brings her dinner for their date from a local restaurant. Her favorite meal is scallops, mashed potatoes and asparagus, “but I make that”. What is Jim’s secret to 72+ years of marriage? "Patience".
There are numerous pictures through his house and Jim and Dorothy were an attractive all-American couple back in their youth. They could have been featured on the cover of two prominent magazines of their day, Look and Life. Jim had quite a physique as a young man and was obviously physically fit. Jim has also had quite a collection of cars through the years including a 1938 convertible which Jim described as "a babe magnet".
At the distinguished age of 100 Jim keeps busy reading the Hartford Courant, the Wall Street Journal and a biography of Ulysses S. Grant. Jim has embraced technology and frequently gives instruction to “Alexa” to play part of his collection of Bing Crosby tunes.
Jim’s most vivid memory of his days in the service was "flying a P80" which he continued to do with the Air National Guard.
Lieutenant Colonel James Elsner, thank you for your sacrifices and good luck with the scallops!
In August of 1941 Jim headed to Maxwell AFB for pre-flight training. His next stop was Whiteman AFB in Missouri where he trained on a PT-23 for two months. From there he was sent to Walnut Ridge Army Airfield in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas where he trained on PT-13’s which Jim recalled being a much larger aircraft. Here Jim recalled learning night flying and long-distance flying. “We did a lot of cross country flying.”
Jim continued his training at Napier Field in Dothan, Alabama flying the AT-6 before being sent to Egland Field in Florida. There he received his introduction to gunnery training. Jim recalled part of the training was a plane towing a “white rag about a hundred feet long.” The fighters in the training program would fire their guns at the rag to perfect their accuracy. “There weren’t many hits.” His next stop was Pinellas Air Force Base where he learned to fly the Curtis P-40 WarHawk, which would be the plane Jim took on his deployment.
Jim found the training to be “nerve wracking because a lot of people were washing out.” He was anxious to get into the battle and one day it was announced that they were looking for volunteers to serve in Attu, Alaska. Jim raised his hand and was selected.
When Jim arrived in Attu the American troops had pushed the Japanese out of the western end of Aleutian Islands in 1943. He joined the 18th Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. Although the fighting was over when he arrived, they trained and flew patrols to deter further Japanese incursions and defend the American borders. Jim named his Curtis P-40 Warhawk Carolyn, after his mother. The squadron had two springer Spaniels as mascots, Zero and Stuka.
In December of '45 he left the Army but remained active in the CT Air National Guard and continued to fly until 1968. Jim was activated for the Korean War but did not have to deploy.
After the war Jim landed a job as a credit manager at the G. Fox Department Store in Hartford, CT and later at a local bank, The Society for Savings. Jim met his wife Dorothy while he was working at G. Fox. She was working in the foundations department. They were married in 1950 and spent their honeymoon in Bermuda. Jim and Dorothy have 3 children, seven grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Dorothy is the love of his life. Unfortunately, knee problems have confined her the Hebrew Home in West Hartford, CT where he visits her once a day. Every Saturday night is their date night, and Jim brings her dinner for their date from a local restaurant. Her favorite meal is scallops, mashed potatoes and asparagus, “but I make that”. What is Jim’s secret to 72+ years of marriage? "Patience".
There are numerous pictures through his house and Jim and Dorothy were an attractive all-American couple back in their youth. They could have been featured on the cover of two prominent magazines of their day, Look and Life. Jim had quite a physique as a young man and was obviously physically fit. Jim has also had quite a collection of cars through the years including a 1938 convertible which Jim described as "a babe magnet".
At the distinguished age of 100 Jim keeps busy reading the Hartford Courant, the Wall Street Journal and a biography of Ulysses S. Grant. Jim has embraced technology and frequently gives instruction to “Alexa” to play part of his collection of Bing Crosby tunes.
Jim’s most vivid memory of his days in the service was "flying a P80" which he continued to do with the Air National Guard.
Lieutenant Colonel James Elsner, thank you for your sacrifices and good luck with the scallops!