Synopsis of oral history interview with Ronald M. Williams.

              Video Log
Ronald Morton Williams
Korean War
United States Air Force
Born: January 7, 1935
Interview Date: 10-13-2009
Interviewed By: Gregg Cerosky
M2U00010.MPG
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:51 He served during the Korean War, but never reached Korea. His aircraft commander experienced an illness during flight training and the crew became reassigned to the Strategic Air Command in California.
00:01:14 He served in California, as well as Dow AFB in Bangor, ME.
00:01:36 He recalls witnessing an accident firsthand involving a KC-97 tanker aircraft, which crashed on landing.
00:02:21 Williams enlisted in the Air Force at the age of seventeen, growing tiresome of high school adolescence.
00:03:47 He enlisted directly into the United States Air Force, as it seemed exciting. He completed basic training at Sampson AFB in New York. He trained during wintertime, it was cold, but not physically demanding. Basic training was comprised of classroom sessions as opposed to high physical standards.
00:04:34 Assignments were based on aptitude tests, as well as where the Air Force needed personnel. He chose aerial gunnery because it “sounded exciting and he didn’t know any better.”
00:05:14 The Air Force flew him out to Lowry AFB in Denver, CO, to Primary Gunner School. This was also the site of the Air Force Academy.
00:05:58 At gunnery school, he experienced six months of intense technical training. After this, he experienced aerial gunnery training. He trained in stripped B-29 s left over from World War Two, which would be “attacked” by F-51 Mustang aircraft. The instructors evaluated gun camera film in order to measure student performance. He began to doubt the future of aerial gunnery as aircraft became faster.
00:07:21 Williams was elected to be the tail gunner on these training flights. The tail section of a B-29 incorporated an independently pressurized compartment, which could become depressurized without the rest of the flight crew knowing. He was 6’3” tall at the time, adding to the uncomfortable confines of the rear position.