| Lt. Col. James N. Methven, Jr. |
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| Veterans History Project |
| James N. Methven, Jr. served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He would begin his career training pilots in the U.S. before deployment to the Pacific Theater for short service in the famed P-51 Mustang and eventually combat cargo. Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. shares his sometimes surreal experiences of life and death in World War II. |
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Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. recalls an encounter with
Japanese soldiers who are unaware World War II
has ended.
Japanese soldiers who are unaware World War II
has ended.
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. recalls his arrival in the Philippines
and short service in the P-51 Mustang prior to his being
shot down and rescued by Filipino Guerrillas.
and short service in the P-51 Mustang prior to his being
shot down and rescued by Filipino Guerrillas.
| Run-in with Japanese Soldiers after the end of World War II. |
| Arrival in Philippines / Combat in P-51 Mustang / Rescue by Filipino Guerillas |
| Flight Instruction - Close Calls |
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. recalls his service as a flight
instructor and the perils of a sky filled with new pilots.
instructor and the perils of a sky filled with new pilots.
| The Lucky Friend, Merrill |
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. remembers the fortune of a fellow
pilot who survived a direct hit to his cockpit.
pilot who survived a direct hit to his cockpit.
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. remembers the misfortune of a
fellow pilot who couldn't catch a break.
fellow pilot who couldn't catch a break.
| The Unlucky Friend, Charlie Miller |
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. recalls misfortune and fortune on
the front lines during World War II.
the front lines during World War II.
| The Nature of War |
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. recalls his last days in the Pacific
and an amusing return to the United States.
and an amusing return to the United States.
| The End of the War - An Interesting Journey. |
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. recalls his assignment to a new
base after the war. While there, he meets a new friend
who can keep him immune from military discipline.
base after the war. While there, he meets a new friend
who can keep him immune from military discipline.
| The End of the War - New Orders & A Lucky Friend |
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. recalls some of the more amusing
stories from his service in the U.S. Army Air Force
stories from his service in the U.S. Army Air Force
| Mischief |
Lt. Col. Methven, Jr. recalls buzzing his old school and
parents home only to be turned into the authorities by
his mother!
parents home only to be turned into the authorities by
his mother!
| Turned in by Mother |