Military Career |
Buckley began his military career by enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force at the Greenville Army Airfield on March 19, 1942. There, he trained to become a B-17 army cadet pilot. After his career as a mail carrier, Buckley applied to be an aviation cadet on February 19, 1942. He sent three letters of recommendation along with his application from the Pastor D. Eavenson of First Baptist Church of Cleveland, MS, Postmaster Ivy G. Hill, and Vice President of the Bank of Cleveland , A.H. Cable. Buckley enlisted in the US Army Air Force on March 19, 1942 at the Greenville Army Airfield.
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Buckley then applied for a leave of absence, furlough, and was granted a ninety day absence from March 19, 1942 to June 16, 1942. After furlough, he reported to Maxwell Field, Alabama on June 3, 1942 for basic training. He then graduated from pre-flight training on August 7, 1942 earning exemplary grades. Afterwards, he was stationed in Dorr Field, Florida on August 8. 1942 where he received primary training until October 9, 1942. He was moved again to Bush Field and received basic training also earning exemplary grades from October 10, 1942 to December 17, 1942. He was moved again to Moody Field, Georgia obtaining advanced flight training from December 18, 1942 to February 16, 1943. Buckley became a Second Lieutenant pilot graduating from his training at Moody Field, Georgia on February 8, 1943.
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After eleven months of basic training, he became a pilot in the 334th Bomb Squadron of the 95th Bomber on February 16, 1943. He began his service on February 16, 1943 and became a part of the 334th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomber in the European Theatre participating in a number of missions starting
Patsy Ann III B-17 plane September 23, 1943. Buckley participated in the following missions serving as a pilot: Vennes (September 23, 1943), Paris (September 26, 1943), Emden (September 27, 1943), Emden (October 2, 1943), Bremen (October 8, 1943), Marienburg (October 9, 1943), and his last mission Muenster (October 10, 1943). |