Judd, Chester (1916-1995)

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8538#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Chester Judd was born on April 2, 1916, and served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II. He was stationed in England from September 1944 to late 1945 and was a B-17 copilot on 35 missions. He returned to the United States and flew C-47 cargo planes to transport wounded veterans to hospitals across the country. After the war, Judd became a farmer. He died on November 15, 1995.

Transcript Summary: Chester Judd was born on April 2, 1916, and served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II. He described his training in the U.S. first as a medic but then as a pilot once he switched to the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in England from September 1944 to late 1945 and was a B-17 copilot on 35 missions. Judd described camp life, including food and lodging, and explains how the planes were organized for actual missions. He described several combat experiences and how pilots and crew dealt with the strain, particularly flying his final mission. Judd returned to the United States and flew C-47 cargo planes to transport wounded veterans to hospitals across the country. After the war, Judd became a farmer. He died on November 15, 1995.

Interview by Daniel Lewis