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SURVIVE AIRPLANE and AUTOMOBILE CRASHES.
General Spruance lived to tell about his near-fatal 140 mph jet crash.
More than 150,000 people have seen his personal presentation. Many survived subsequent
crashes because they had heard his story.
Learn how you may SAVE YOUR LIFE, and your loved ones.
Click HERE to start
the slide and video presentations.
Link to: Flight Safety Speech Notes
SETTING: In 1940, George S. Patton
listened while a young field artillery forward observer enthusiastically explained the
potential of light aircraft in artillery spotting and observation. Patton, then Commander
of the 2d Armored Division, saw the merit of Lieutenant Spruance's ideas and tasked him to
develop aerial tactics and strategy for the division. The pioneering work of that young
officer led to the successful use of light aircraft in WW II, and laid the cornerstone for
today's vital forward air control mission.
"William W. "Bill"
Spruance, a pioneer in the early use of aircraft in the forward air control role, flew 362
missions in the China-India-Burma Theater and continues to be a major force in aviation. A
native of Wilmington, Delaware, Spruance received his commission in the US Army Field
Artillery Officers Reserve Corps from Princeton University in 1939. He was assigned to
Fort Benning, Georgia, as a field artillery forward observer in the 2d Armored Division
commanded by George S. Patton. In his spare time Spruance flew his own aircraft, a
low-wing Culver Cadet, at the municipal airport where Patton was also learning to fly.
Spruance and Patton met, and discussed the role of light aircraft on the battlefield.
Patton was duly impressed with the young officer's innovative ideas and understood their
applicability. Reporting directly to Patton, Spruance was given authority to develop new
techniques, train observers, and fly leaders over their units during maneuvers. Lacking
light Army Air Corps (AAC) aircraft, he flew his personal Culver or rented private
aircraft. His pioneering work promoted the use of light aircraft throughout Europe in WW
II, laying the foundation for today's forward air control mission. At Patton's suggestion,
Spruance joined the USAAF in 1942. Enrolled in the first aviation class of officers, he
reported to training in his own aircraft asking, "Where do I go to learn how to
fly?" He received the top score in class 43A in aerial gunnery but was assigned to
fly the C-47 Skytrain because of a shortage of transport pilots. In 1944 he activated and
commanded the 4th Combat Cargo Squadron, flying the C-46 Commando. Spruance completed his
362d combat mission while flying the High Hump in the C-54 Skymaster. In October 1945 he
left active duty and in 1946 helped found the Delaware Air National Guard. He was later
named Chairman of the Delaware Aeronautics Commission. In 1961 Spruance received extensive
burns in a near-fatal T-33 crash. He has since delivered a powerful safety message to over
150,000 people in over 1,500 presentations. Spruance was awarded the first AF
Distinguished Service Medal given to other than a Regular officer for his work in Vietnam,
where in 1968 he briefed over 100 times to more than 10,000 people at 58 bases in 60 days.
Other honors include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, and three Delaware
Conspicuous Service Crosses. Spruance is a command pilot with over 4,500 hours. He is
Chairman Emeritus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University, having been Board Chairman for 17 years. He is a permanent member of the
Board of the Air Force Association and is on the Board
of the Aerospace Education Foundation. *
Click HERE to start
the slide and video presentations.
Link to: Flight Safety Speech Notes
This article was
provided by Maxwell Air Force Base
- Home of the Air
University.
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