US Naval Air Training Center - Yearbook (Corpus Christi, TX)

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'k ir ir UAPTAI . 0. 11101101ll1111LL,l1l1 CHIEF 0F TAFF Captain E. O. McDonnell reported to the Naval Air Training Center to assume duties as Chief of Staff in June 1943, following one of the most spectacular careers in the annals of Naval history. Captain McDonnell was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1912 and later received his flight training at Pensacola, Florida. He was designated as Naval Aviator No. 18. . ' Captain McDonnell's impressive record includes service on board battleships USS New Jersey, Montana and Florida, thefirst Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia, commanded an aviation unit aboard the battleship Texas, Air Officer of Eastern Sea Frontier Command. , Q In April 1914, while acting as occupational signal officer of the landing at Vera Cruz, he was cited for extra- ordinary heroism under fire and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, he holds the Navy Cross and other awards for campaigns in Europe, South America and the Far East. . . 9.211 f . ' , . 'V Q ,V E I it f. b - . yi CVS., E VA l , ' ,,,., 1 , . I - I I,l.lEl1i'fgll3 It E A yy by if M If M , . A 3 , . . ' ffl 4, ' 11,5 I ' Q f to V . ' r - I V A f,, ' .X , I X Page'29 'ir ir

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+1 'll sk -K -K 41 41 REAR AIHIRAL CII NLE Nlil NN, ll N Clll il MNT N. il. I. T. ll. - .il. T. C. Rear Admiral Charles P. Mason, USN, assumed his duties as Commandant of the Naval Air Training Center on July 15, l943, following a distinguished career in Naval Aviation. After graduation from the Naval Academy in l9l2, he reported for flight training at Pensacola, Florida, Winning his wings in l9l7, he was designated Naval Aviator No. 52. Admiral Mason has had a prominent part in the development of Naval Aviation. During the years following the World War, he organized the first Seaplane Patrol Squadron in the Pacific, led the first long-distance squadron flight ever attempted by the Navy, and conducted the Navy's first test of a carrier's functions in fleet maneuvers. Admiral Mason has served on the USS Langley, USS Saratoga, and USS Yorktown. The Navy Cross was presented to him for outstanding service as skipper of the ill-fated USS l-lornet at the time of her gallant fight against over- whelming odds off Santa Cruz. l-le was later commander of a taslc force of converted carriers in the South Pacific Area, and subsequently was made commander Air Solomon lslands. He remained in command of the Air Force in Guadalcanal Area for two months psi

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Clllllllil llllll F. lllllllllllli, UN... SllPllRllllTlllllll NT 0F illllil'l'Ill THAI ING Commander F. Bruner assumed duties as Superintendent of Aviation Training in December 1943. Since graduating from flight training at Pensacola, Florida in l929, Commander Bruner has had an active part in Naval Aviation. l-le was graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in i927 and served the usual tours of sea duty until selected for flight training. His service record includes duty with a Utility Squadron, original VF-3 Squadron on board the USS Lex- ington, with Pacific Battle Fleet, USS Langley. After a tour of duty as an instructor at Pensacola, he was ordered to a Patrol Squadron in the Caribbean, with further assignments to the North Atlantic, Hawaiian Area and the Aleutians. l-le was presented the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in battling Jap sub marines. Page 30 if ir