WW2 Memoirs of P-38 Fighter Pilot Lt. Col. Enoch P. Lemon USAF Retired
37 FS, 14 FG, 15 AF, MTO
I was honored to be asked by my husbands family to complete the memoirs of my late
father-in-law, Enoch P. Lemon. It's been a on-going project; tons of papers and photos to
search, dates to check and verify, log books and military files that he has meticulously kept
all these many years. I have Dorsey's typed (in triplicate) first drafts, along with Art's
computer typed copy that are my main source for this purpose. A project that was started in
the early nineties, will hopefully be completed by mid 2010.
I have already been contacted by three different gentlemen; two who were looking for
information on relatives and one from a gentleman who has a RAF 112 Sqn Tribute
Website. I will add their comments on a separate page as soon as I have time.
Enoch stayed in the Air Force until he retired to work in the commercial sector. Although no
longer in the military he continued in the same field, doing secret work for several different
companies with government contracts. Enoch and his family have many slides from all over
Europe in the 1950's before returning stateside.
In true military fashion, Enoch was secretive about much of his experiences, even after fifty
years. I hope you enjoy reading his memoirs, in his own words. Except for a few spelling
checks, I have left it just as he wrote it, leaving his personality in check, which I think you
will find intelligent, curious and with the same wit many of us have come to associate with
most young pilots. After reading his memoirs it's amazing to realize how much they
accomplished with so little, especially compared to todays military!
37 FS, 14 FG, 15 AF, MTO
I was honored to be asked by my husbands family to complete the memoirs of my late
father-in-law, Enoch P. Lemon. It's been a on-going project; tons of papers and photos to
search, dates to check and verify, log books and military files that he has meticulously kept
all these many years. I have Dorsey's typed (in triplicate) first drafts, along with Art's
computer typed copy that are my main source for this purpose. A project that was started in
the early nineties, will hopefully be completed by mid 2010.
I have already been contacted by three different gentlemen; two who were looking for
information on relatives and one from a gentleman who has a RAF 112 Sqn Tribute
Website. I will add their comments on a separate page as soon as I have time.
Enoch stayed in the Air Force until he retired to work in the commercial sector. Although no
longer in the military he continued in the same field, doing secret work for several different
companies with government contracts. Enoch and his family have many slides from all over
Europe in the 1950's before returning stateside.
In true military fashion, Enoch was secretive about much of his experiences, even after fifty
years. I hope you enjoy reading his memoirs, in his own words. Except for a few spelling
checks, I have left it just as he wrote it, leaving his personality in check, which I think you
will find intelligent, curious and with the same wit many of us have come to associate with
most young pilots. After reading his memoirs it's amazing to realize how much they
accomplished with so little, especially compared to todays military!
“Riding With Lightning”
Table of Contents
1. So you want to check out in a P-38 Lightning.
2. Early training; West Virginia
3. Aviation Cadet Pre-Flight Training (Santa Anna, Ca.)
4. Primary Flight Training, Ontario, Ca. (Chino)
5. Basic Flight Training, Lancaster, Ca.
6. Advanced Flight Training, Luke Field, Az. (Phoenix)
Twin Engine Check Out, Williams Field, Az. (Phoenix)
7. Operational training, Page Field, Fort Meyers, Fl. (OTU)
8. Shipping Overseas; Miami, Fl.
Enroute: Trinidad; Georgetown, Guyana; Mouth of Amazon
River;
Belem, Brazil; Natal, Brazil; Dakar, West Africa; Atar,
Mauritania;
Marrakech and Casablanca, Morocco.
9. Fighter Training Center, Ber-Rechid, 25 miles south of
Casablanca
10. Combat Flying with the 37th fighter squadron, North
Africa and Italy
A. Sicily, Lantina East (Invasion of Italy)
B. Libya, North Africa
C. Move to Italy
D. Missions from Triola Field, San Severo, Italy
11. Training AT-6 Pilots at Triola for P-38 Combat Flying
12. Return to “Zone of Interior” (USA)
13. Glossary of Terms
Table of Contents
1. So you want to check out in a P-38 Lightning.
2. Early training; West Virginia
3. Aviation Cadet Pre-Flight Training (Santa Anna, Ca.)
4. Primary Flight Training, Ontario, Ca. (Chino)
5. Basic Flight Training, Lancaster, Ca.
6. Advanced Flight Training, Luke Field, Az. (Phoenix)
Twin Engine Check Out, Williams Field, Az. (Phoenix)
7. Operational training, Page Field, Fort Meyers, Fl. (OTU)
8. Shipping Overseas; Miami, Fl.
Enroute: Trinidad; Georgetown, Guyana; Mouth of Amazon
River;
Belem, Brazil; Natal, Brazil; Dakar, West Africa; Atar,
Mauritania;
Marrakech and Casablanca, Morocco.
9. Fighter Training Center, Ber-Rechid, 25 miles south of
Casablanca
10. Combat Flying with the 37th fighter squadron, North
Africa and Italy
A. Sicily, Lantina East (Invasion of Italy)
B. Libya, North Africa
C. Move to Italy
D. Missions from Triola Field, San Severo, Italy
11. Training AT-6 Pilots at Triola for P-38 Combat Flying
12. Return to “Zone of Interior” (USA)
13. Glossary of Terms
