Enlistment & Training

Out of 20 young men who took mental screening tests for air cadets at the Wenonah Hotel Saturday afternoon, nine were passed and now are eligible for physical examinations, according to Lieut. Harold C. Foland, who is here this weekend with the mobile unit of the traveling Aviation Cadet Examining Board.

Members of the board will arrive this evening and Monday and Tuesday will be at the Wenonah Hotel for examination and qualification of young men between 18 and 26 who are interested in becoming air cadets.

Those who successfully completed the screening test include: Charles J. Balconi, 309 South Birney Street; Collin J. N. Chauret, 3102 Center Avenue Road; John J. Duffy, 403 Mosher Street; Robert W. B Raebner, 208 North Birney Street; Guy V. Habbershaw, Wheeler Road; Burt L. Miller, 508 Fourteenth Street; Norman A. Quast, 919 Ketchum Street; George V. Rich, 305 South Jackson Street; and Donald E. Wilt, 782 Aplin Beach. - News clipping - Bay City Times; Bay City, Michigan

Flight Training

8 Weeks of Basic Training
Army Air Force Training Center – Miami Beach, FL

I am writing this letter to you and all the fellows in the shop because I just can't find time to write to everyone individually. I'd sure appreciate it if everyone would drop me a line or two and if I find time I'll try to give everyone an individual reply.
We left Detroit at 11:15 P.M. last Wednesday night and we were on the train for 3 nights and 2 days. We rode all the way (about 1500 miles) on day coaches and it was really tough. There were 500 of us on our train and there were 2 other trains that left the next day with the same number in them.
We traveled through Toledo, Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, Covington and Corbin, Kentucky, Knoxville and Etowah, Tennessee, Atlanta, Macon and Albany, Georgia, Jacksonville and Miami Florida. We arrived in Miami at 7:00 A.M. Saturday morning. A convoy of Army Trucks was there to meet us and they took us to Miami Beach, which is 5 miles from Miami and right on the Atlantic Ocean. Miami Beach is a very nice winter resort and has miles and miles of hotels for the tourist trade. The Army has taken over all of these hotels and has the Air Corp stationed here in them. We are staying in "The Tides" Hotel. It is a 10 story hotel right on the ocean front and we are on the 8th floor. We can look out of our window and see out into the ocean for miles and miles. Up and down the beach are thousands and thousands of soldiers and civilian bathers. Our room has 4 fellows. I am rooming with Jim Dalrymple from Bay City, and a couple of other fellows - one from Flint and one from Royal Oak.
The hotel is surrounded by palm trees and all types of tropical vegetation. The sun has been shinning every day and temperature varies from about 65° at night to 85° in the daytime. The ocean is very popular with everyone. Yesterday, our flight was allowed to go in swimming for about an hour and we really had a helliva good time.
We haven't been issued uniforms as yet but expect to get them this afternoon at 2:30 P.M. So far we have taken an intelligence test, did a little marching, and given a haircut (for half a rock). You should see my butch. Everything up and nothing down. Our flight (consisting of 96 men) is the best marching bunch on the beach. We haven't received any instructions as yet and yet we can march better than a lot of squadrons that have been here for 2 or 3 weeks already. The train that we came in on was the first bunch of cadets to be sent here. This is a basic training center and all those who join the Air Forces are sent here. There is a distinction between the Air Corp. and the Air Forces. The Air Corp. is Aviation Cadets like myself and the Air Forces are the ground crew personnel etc. Incidentally, Johnny Beazley the St. Louis Cardinal pitcher is stationed here in the Air Forces.
The Army food is very good and there's plenty of it. You get a variety of everything except butter. I don't believe there's a pound of butter in all of Miami and vicinity. They talk up north of cutting the butter supply of civilians so as to give the Army more, but we haven't seen any of it.

Just got back from a lecture on Army allotments for dependents, War Bonds, keeping up morale and all that stuff. We got our uniforms 2 days ago and do we ever look like the nuts. – Yeah man! We got 2 class "A" uniforms, 2 fatigue suits, 2 pair of shoes, one dress shoe and one service shoe, gas mask, canteen, duffle bags, etc. etc. –
Yesterday we had 2 shots and a vaccination and boy our arms are sure sore today. A couple of guys passed out when that stuff hit them.
I'm gong to chow in a couple of minutes and think I'll get this letter off. If anyone is interested in writing to me my address is on the next page.
Yours for victory, Norm Quast

Pvt. Norman A. E. Quast
1146 Technical School Squadron
Flight I, Basic Training Center No. 4
Army Air Force, Technical Training Command
Miami Beach, Florida

Pvt. Norman A. E. Quast
1146 T.S.S. Fl. I
B.T.C. #4 A.A.F.T.T.C.
Miami Beach, Florida

P.S.
I imagine you have often wondered what all the initials in an address were for. Well, I have given you the initials and the complete words. However, use only the abbreviations.

My roommate Dalrymple plays with Kuhlman Electric and I was having a little grudge fight with him about which had the better basketball team. I hope you beat them so I can do a little razzing here.

I understand that all aviation cadets from October on are getting called to basic training camps for toughening up exercises, and that all cadets before October are going directly to pre flight schools for training. I think that is how you will be sent. When we are sent to a place like this we are considered buck privates until we go to pre flight school and then we become aviation cadets. Hope you like the Army like I do. Some of these guys are crabbing all the time, but I really enjoy it.
Norm

Gee, it sure is good to hear from somebody from the shop. I got a letter from Fred Rosa and a couple from Mrs. Hentzi. Otherwise the mail I've been getting has been from people outside the shop. Boy, you were sure lousy in the bowling tournament. Well I guess you can't win every year. I think I missed out on a lot of easy money when I didn't bowl. I could have won a lot of side bets with you, Skeleton, De Lisle, Rosa, etc. besides my tournament money. I've been getting the Bay City paper during the bowling tournament and I've been pretty well informed as to what happens to everyone.
In last Tuesdays paper I see you had quite a game with Police. What happened to you in the overtime period? You let a bunch of old men beat you like that. I also see that Kist played with you and you only had 5 men. Haven't you got any more men. You must play a sissy game with only 5 men. No one can get kicked out on fouls and that isn't like the Chevie. They are suppose to be the roughest team in the league. Well, I hope you do better in the Round Robin Tournament. I'll be pulling for you.
I am writing this letter in the middle of the morning when I usually am drilling. You see we are restricted to our rooms because we are shipping. We don't know where we are going but we believe it will be to some college for pre flight training. I like it here in Florida and wish I could stay for about another month until it gets warm up in the north. I'm also just as anxious to get moving because it means we will be getting busy on our flying. Anyway I'll send you my change of address as soon as I get to my destination as well as a picture of myself. I had a few taken but I sent them home to my folks. I'll get some more printed and pass them around.
Just a few minutes ago a school of porpoises swam past our hotel about a 100 feet off shore. They are a long heavy fish and are constantly swimming in and out of the water like this (sketch).
You probably know what they look like from pictures you've seen. Anyway they are the first we have seen so close to shore.
Another odd fish they have here are "Portuguese Man O Wars." They look like an inflated cellophane bag with streamers on. When one of these streamers touch you they give off some sort of poison or shock and you need medical attention immediately. They can't swim but they are washed ashore by the tide and prevailing winds. The bathers are on the lookout for them all the time. I saw one Saturday that was washed ashore. Some of these babies have streamers that are 10 feet long.
You can tell Tom Sloan that I haven't had a chance to see that Evans Babe as yet. We are only allowed to go to Miami on Saturday night, and every Saturday I've been in Miami Beach. One week I couldn't get a pass, another week I was on K.P. and was too tired to go afterwards and last Saturday we were restricted due to shipping orders. So it looks like I won't get a chance to get to Miami, because next Saturday I'll probably be in some other part of the country.
I hope we go to some college where there are a lot of women. Then I might get a chance to meet a lot of women. As it is there are only about one woman to every 30 or 40 soldiers in Miami Beach and that's a lot of competition for anyone.
Well I guess this is enough news for this time as I'm about 5 letters behind in my letter writing and have to catch up on some of it. Tell Kathy I hope she keeps on winning those bowling games and finishes up better than Pursers Tavern. I'll send you my new address as soon as I get to my new destination.

Xavier University, Cincinnati OH

After eight weeks of basic training at the Army Air Force training center at Miami Beach, Fla., Norman A. E. Quast, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Schutt, 919 Ketchum Street, has been transferred to Xavier University, Cincinnati, O., for five months' additional instruction in mathematics, physics, navigation, English, geography, and 10 hours of flight instruction. On completion of the work he will receive his classification and further training before receiving the silver wings of the Army Air Corps. - Bay City Times

On March 3, 1943, he was assigned to the 30th College Detachment at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. Norm met Ruth, his future wife here, and they were married on August 31, 1946.

Letter – Tuesday April 13, 1943

Dear Bill, Kathy & Family

I received your letter today and that is the kind I really like to receive, but why do you think of me at the same time you think of shooting craps and drinking beer. You know darn well I never did either in my life. (My fingers crossed as I write this).
Don't tell me who won at the crap game because everyone will claim that he did. That is the way it use to be when I worked at the Chevie. Everybody claimed he won playing cards but no one ever admitted he lost.
You can tell Evelyn my red shorts are home. If she wants them bad enough I might suggest she contact my sister or somebody.
Bill, do you still bowl in the Lutheran League on Tuesday night? I suppose the team has gone to the dogs and there is no one to fill all the vacant spots. Must be old men with long beards bowling now.
You tall that Skeleton guy he better watch himself. If I ever get a furlough, I'll come home and really show him how to play smear. That Essexville style was always good enough to beat him, but the Army style has made some improvements, so now its twice as good as ever.
That Pursers beer must be pretty strong to have an effect on Skeleton. He knows darn well he can't tangle with a grinder and come out on top.
We started flying here last week, but the weather hasn't been any too good. I think I will be out of here before May 1st because we only get 10 hours of flying time. After that I think we'll go to Nashville, Tennessee to get classified as pilot, bombardier, or navigator. If I have my choice I think I'll apply for navigator, because they have to do everything. I been reading that in cases of emergency they act as bombardier, radioman, gunner, or pilot, and that way I could get a taste of everything.
Sunday I went over to Howard Herzog's family home for dinner. His daughter was everything you said she was. I had a good time and I'm invited to go over there any other time I want to.
I am enclosing one of my pictures. It isn't very good, but I never could take a good picture.
I have to close for now. The bell just rang for lights out and I am finishing this out in the hall.
As ever, Norm

Pvt. Norman A. E. Quast
30th Coll. Tr. Det. (Aircrew)
Xavier Univ. Cincinnati, Ohio
Room 103 Hinkle Hall

Five hundred United States Army Air Forces cadet candidates – composing the Thirtieth College Training Detachment - are going through a five-month training course at Xavier University, preparatory to basic flight training.

Housed in Hinkle Hall and Elet Hall on the Xavier campus, the cadet students received instruction in mathematics, physics, history, geography, English, and physical training from the regular Xavier teaching staff. Air Force personnel attached to the unit teaches them military science.

Flight instruction is carried on at the Tri-State Aviation Corporation in Sharonville, and at Lunken Airport. Each cadet receives 10 hours of dual flight instruction while at Xavier. The detachment, shown here in typical routine, is commanded by Lieutenant Robert H. Frick, U.S.A. Air Forces. - Cincinnati Enquirer - Sunday, May 23, 1943

Just received your second letter and decided to make amends for not writing to you. I haven't been writing to anyone for the simple reason I hurt my right wrist 2 weeks ago and then I got placed on shipment. We are due to leave this weekend for Nashville, Tennessee where we will be classified. I want to be a navigator or pilot, but don't know how my blood pressure will be acting. Tonight I had it taken and it was about 160 over 90 which isn't so good. So tomorrow morning I am going back on a diet again and not eat any meat, eggs or potatoes or drink any coffee.
Gee, you sure must have hit a luck streak to win the Chevy Bowling tournament. I'll have to take it all back what I said about "Pursers Cellar Dwellers." Now whenever you go bad you can blame it on Elgin and Purser.
I want to thank you and the team (St. Johns) for the little present you sent me. You really shouldn't have done it though. I didn't bowl long enough with them to deserve anything and besides it would have bought you a couple of beers apiece.
When I hurt my hand 2 weeks ago, I was playing softball. I slid into 3rd base and caught my arm under my body. I injured my wrist and it doubled in size. The doctor thought it was broken and so he sent me to the hospital and had it x-rayed. The pictures didn't show any breaks but it was sprained severely. I had to wear a splint on it for a week, but now I have it off and my hand is getting back to normal again. In about another week it should be as good as new.

Successfully completing this training, he was sent to a classification center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Pre Flight Training
Maxwell Field, Montgomery Alabama

His next assignment was Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Ala. for Pre-flight Training. Primary Flight Training was completed at Decatur, Ala. and Basic Flight Training at Courtland, Alabama.

Boy, I glad I wasn't home during that spell of measles. I'd probably have gotten them.
As you probably know by now, I'm classified as a pilot and am at the pre-flight school at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama. I'm finally at the place where I would originally have gone had I not fooled around for 4 months in Miami and Cincinnati. It use to be that cadets were first sent to Nashville, and then pre-flight, but I was in the 1st bunch that was guinea pigs and went to basic training and pre-pre-flight.
This town is in the heart of the deep black south. And I mean black, too. There are as many colored people as there are whites. It also is very hot here too. The thermometer is always above 90° and many times over 100°. We have a lot of Rebels in our barracks and I guess we have refought the Civil War a 100 times already, with still no let up in sight.
We have a class system here, and we lower class men are known as Zombies. Next week is hell week and after that we become upper class men. Then we'll get a little revenge on the next bunch. The upper class officers gig the lower class men and after so many gigs pile up you have to walk punishment tours. You walk an hour for each tour and some Zombies have received 24 tours during the past week which means they have to walk 24 hours before they will be allowed open post or recreational privileges. So far I have been mighty lucky and haven't had to do any walking.
Boy, that Chevie sure must be getting desperate for workers. How come your cousin is taking Toughies place? What is he doing now? You better stay on the ball, bill or else your loving wife will find out too many things. That goes for Lamar, Herb, Sloan and everyone else.
I had a good time and very enjoyable dinner at Herzog's home, but I didn't influence his daughter to go to school in Memphis. I wouldn't want anyone to go south of the Ohio River to liver and particularly Tennessee or Alabama.
I knew Adeline real well. She was in the same class at high school. I heard of Don Blumlo too, but I can't place him.
Did you happen to run into Bobby Muir when he was home on furlough? I guess he woke up the town for a few days, but just wait till I get there. That won't be until sometime next year after I get my wings. From my address you can see that I am in class 44B which means I'll be in the second graduating class of 1944. All the classes are numbered by a letter and the number of the year in which we graduate.
About 10 days ago I was over in the tear gas chamber and absorbed too much gas. When I sweat, the gas came out through the pores of my skin and made me itch all over. My skin turned very red and I was put in the hospital from Thursday night until Tuesday morning. I feel OK now.
Well, chow is in about 10 minutes and I have to get dressed, so I'll close for this time.

Preliminary Flight Training
Army Air Forces Basic Flying School – Decatur, Alabama

Basic Flight Training
Army Air Forces Basic Flying School – Courtland, Alabama

A/C Norman A. E. Quast, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Schutt, 919 Ketchum Street, has reported to the Army Air Forces Basic Flying School for the third stage of training as a cadet pilot, according to a public relations release from Courtland, Ala. - Bay City Times

The public relations office announces that A/C Norman A. E. Quast, son of Mrs. Frank Schutt, 919 Ketchum street, has completed his training at the Basic Flying School, Courtland Army Air Field, Courtland, Ala., and has been transferred to an Advanced Flying School for the final period of his pilot training. - Bay City Times

Advance Flight Training
George Field, Lawrenceville Illinois

Quast successfully completed his Advanced Flight Training on February 8, 1944 at George Field, Lawrenceville, Illinois. His Silver Wings and Lieutenants commission were presented to him in ceremonies attended by his mother, Mrs. Frank Schutt, and his aunt, Mrs. O. W. Yakel of Detroit.

Attend Graduation
Mrs. Frank Schutt, of Ketchum street, and her sister, Mrs. O. W. Yakel, of Detroit, have left for Lawrenceville Field, Ill., to be present for the graduation of the formers son, Aviation Cadet Norman A. E. Quast, who will be commissioned and receive his silver pilots wings. - Bay City Times

4 Engine Transition
MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida

After graduation Lt. Quast was assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla. for four engine transition in B-17's.


Photos - Cincinnati and Xavier College
		Left Photo Eli Pronchick (Philadelphia), Norm Quast (Bay City, MI) and John Quaine (Detroit). Pronchick washed out at Decatur, went to Navigators school. Quaine washed out at Nashville, went to A. M. School top right photo Al Reynolds and Gene Paynor at Xavier bottom right photo Norm Quast



			Flight Line and Hanger
Al Reynolds signing out at Cincinnati


	Top left - Stephen Popy (Detroit) Top right - Norman Quast Left - John H. Jobson (Alabama)

Photos - Decatur, Alabama

Ground School, Administration, PX, Link Trainer and Barracks Buildings
			On Parade

Andy Purchock and Al Reynolds		Hanger and Control Tower

P-39	C. K. Price, Al Reynolds and Norman Quast in front of PT-17


Photos - Courtland Alabama

				BT on Flight Line


		Norm (left) and Al Reynolds (right) and in BT (top)

	Stanley Price (left) & Bill Powers (right)
			Manual Ray - Hank Rapp - "Doc" Norton Bill Read - Dick Pulse Tom Rausel - Al Reynolds Bill Pond - Bill Powers - Norm Quast Kenny Quinlan - Barney Ramsfield Frank Ramsey Dick Price - Gerald Potts Reynolds, Pulse, Potts & Powers went to Craig Field, Ala. and Norton to Seymour, Ind. The rest went to Lawrenceville, Ill. for Advanced Flight Training at George Field with Norm.


Graduation Class 44-B – AAF Pilot School - February 8, 1944
		Graduation Day at George Field, 1 - Norman Quast 2 - Bernie Quinn 3 - ? 4 - Dick Price 5 - Bill Reed 6 - Bill Ramsey 7 - Tom Ransel 8 - ? 9 - ? 10 - ?


	Bernie Quinn (left) and James E. Queen (right) of Washington D. C. at George Field Lawrenceville, IL

Norman Quast and Aunt Edith (Mrs. Otto W. Yakel) of Detroit, MI




		Norm in front of the "The Tides Hotel" in Miami Beach, Florida and (right) room mate Jim Dalrymple also from Bay City, Mich



	Norm in Nashville Tennessee, awaiting classification. Volleyball game in the background



	See the entire program here
			Awarded his silver wings and commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces at George Field, Ill., Feb. 8, was Norman A. E. Quast, (above), son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schutt, 919 Ketchum street, Bay City. Lieut. Quast entered his pilot training last March and attended flying schools at Decatur, Ala., and Courtland, Ala., before being graduated from the advanced school in Illinois. - Bay City Times - February 1944

Enlistment

Flight Training

8 Weeks of Basic Training Army Air Force Training Center – Miami Beach, FL

Xavier University, Cincinnati OH

Pre Flight Training Maxwell Field, Montgomery Alabama

Preliminary Flight Training Army Air Forces Basic Flying School – Decatur, Alabama

Basic Flight Training Army Air Forces Basic Flying School – Courtland, Alabama