Comments on: Vincent 'Squeak' Burnett: Daredevil Acrobat Goes to War http://www.historynet.com/vincent-squeak-burnett-daredevil-acrobat-goes-to-war.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vincent-squeak-burnett-daredevil-acrobat-goes-to-war From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:15:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Sam McGowan http://www.historynet.com/vincent-squeak-burnett-daredevil-acrobat-goes-to-war.htm#comment-373696 Sam McGowan Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:27:39 +0000 #comment-373696 Let me start by saying a I knew Squeek (thats how he spelled it) personally, and flew with him when I lived in Lynchburg. There are some holes in this article. For one thing, the 4th Bomb Wing was not equipped with B-26s and it was not part of Twelfth Air Force, but Eighth - to which Jimmy Doolittle was assigned. The 4th BW went to England to become a B-17 wing. During the period mentioned, it had no groups assigned at all. Doolittle went to England with Eighth Air Force, then took command of Twelfth Air Force when it transferred there from Bolling Field in September 1942. Squeek was an interesting fellow. I wish there was some way to verify what he actually did in 1942. One of my regrets is not spending more time talking to him about his military experiences. Let me start by saying a I knew Squeek (thats how he spelled it) personally, and flew with him when I lived in Lynchburg. There are some holes in this article. For one thing, the 4th Bomb Wing was not equipped with B-26s and it was not part of Twelfth Air Force, but Eighth – to which Jimmy Doolittle was assigned. The 4th BW went to England to become a B-17 wing. During the period mentioned, it had no groups assigned at all. Doolittle went to England with Eighth Air Force, then took command of Twelfth Air Force when it transferred there from Bolling Field in September 1942. Squeek was an interesting fellow. I wish there was some way to verify what he actually did in 1942. One of my regrets is not spending more time talking to him about his military experiences.

]]> By: John G Starke http://www.historynet.com/vincent-squeak-burnett-daredevil-acrobat-goes-to-war.htm#comment-160089 John G Starke Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:30:22 +0000 #comment-160089 Interestingly enough, my father, Harold E. Starke, Sr. (age 91,of Ashland, VA) received his civilian pilot training (aviation certification) from Vincent "SQUEAK" Burnett in 1941 at Richmond, VA (Byrd Field), where Burnett had organized a Civilian Pilot Training Program. One funny memory he tells was during one practice landing, my Dad was criticized by SQUEAK saying that he came in too low that time. My Dad replied that he only did so because he knew he was safe as long as Mr. Burnett was in the cockpit with him.... After Pearl Harbor, my Dad enlisted and was Fast-Tracked to the Army Air Corps Flight Training bases at Decatur, AL; then, Walnut Ridge (Jonesboro), AR; and finally, George Army Air Field (Vincennes, IL). He flew a C-46 in the Army Air Transport Command along the oil pipeline route of Northern Africa, the Middle East, and southern Russia (ferrying troops and supplies). One of his most notable passengers was Herbert Hoover, Jr. (oil/geological engineer and diplomat), whom my Dad flew on the final leg of a trip to negotiate oil contracts with the government (Shah) of IRAN (along with ten million dollars or so). The photos of many brave air cadets, including Harold E. Starke, appear in "Wings Over America"-65th AAFFTD-SouthEast Army Air Forces Training Center-1942 (64 pp), which represents Class 43-B. By War's end, my Dad had attained the rank of Captain. God Bless these valiant veterans!!! Interestingly enough, my father, Harold E. Starke, Sr. (age 91,of Ashland, VA) received his civilian pilot training (aviation certification) from Vincent "SQUEAK" Burnett in 1941 at Richmond, VA (Byrd Field), where Burnett had organized a Civilian Pilot Training Program. One funny memory he tells was during one practice landing, my Dad was criticized by SQUEAK saying that he came in too low that time. My Dad replied that he only did so because he knew he was safe as long as Mr. Burnett was in the cockpit with him…. After Pearl Harbor, my Dad enlisted and was Fast-Tracked to the Army Air Corps Flight Training bases at Decatur, AL; then, Walnut Ridge (Jonesboro), AR; and finally, George Army Air Field (Vincennes, IL). He flew a C-46 in the Army Air Transport Command along the oil pipeline route of Northern Africa, the Middle East, and southern Russia (ferrying troops and supplies). One of his most notable passengers was Herbert Hoover, Jr. (oil/geological engineer and diplomat), whom my Dad flew on the final leg of a trip to negotiate oil contracts with the government (Shah) of IRAN (along with ten million dollars or so). The photos of many brave air cadets, including Harold E. Starke, appear in "Wings Over America"-65th AAFFTD-SouthEast Army Air Forces Training Center-1942 (64 pp), which represents Class 43-B. By War's end, my Dad had attained the rank of Captain. God Bless these valiant veterans!!!

]]> By: Larry H http://www.historynet.com/vincent-squeak-burnett-daredevil-acrobat-goes-to-war.htm#comment-59817 Larry H Sat, 09 May 2009 17:09:38 +0000 #comment-59817 I would of loved to have been there for the dog fight with Foss. I would of loved to have been there for the dog fight with Foss.

]]> By: Larry H http://www.historynet.com/vincent-squeak-burnett-daredevil-acrobat-goes-to-war.htm#comment-21610 Larry H Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:00:15 +0000 #comment-21610 The duel between Squeek and Foss was held south of Galvaston on the Matagorda and Time Magazine was present and took photos of the group. The duel between Squeek and Foss was held south of Galvaston on the Matagorda and Time Magazine was present and took photos of the group.

]]> By: Terrell Moseley http://www.historynet.com/vincent-squeak-burnett-daredevil-acrobat-goes-to-war.htm#comment-18395 Terrell Moseley Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:58:54 +0000 #comment-18395 This is a great description of Squeek's aviation adventures. I have heard Calvin Falwell, here in Lynchburg talk of his experiences with Squeek. A couple years ago Calvin received VA's yearly award for the most contribution to aviation in the state. Calvin's significant impressions of Squeek was 1- his exploits with Gen. Doolittle and 2-watching him snatch a silk handkerchief out of a Coke bottle while flying a bipe upside down along a runway. As you well know, everything reacts in reverse when upside down. Thanks for sharing your history of Squeek, one of the prominent aviators from Lynchburg, with everyone. This is a great description of Squeek's aviation adventures. I have heard Calvin Falwell, here in Lynchburg talk of his experiences with Squeek. A couple years ago Calvin received VA's yearly award for the most contribution to aviation in the state.

Calvin's significant impressions of Squeek was 1- his exploits with Gen. Doolittle and 2-watching him snatch a silk handkerchief out of a Coke bottle while flying a bipe upside down along a runway. As you well know, everything reacts in reverse when upside down.

Thanks for sharing your history of Squeek, one of the prominent aviators from Lynchburg, with everyone.

]]> By: Christopher Edwards http://www.historynet.com/vincent-squeak-burnett-daredevil-acrobat-goes-to-war.htm#comment-6299 Christopher Edwards Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:57:30 +0000 #comment-6299 Just great, Dave - - - thanks!!! Chris Edwards - Announcer/MC at the Famous Flying Circus of Bealeton, VA Just great, Dave – - – thanks!!!

Chris Edwards – Announcer/MC at the Famous Flying Circus of Bealeton, VA

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