Cumberland Kiwanis
Minutes of August 23, 2010
Owen Mobler
Speakers: Owen Mobler, WWII Army Artillery
Aviation Spotter
Topic: Recounting Experience as an Army
Aviation Pilot in WWII
Trained as a mechanic and a
pilot, Owen was hired early in his career by United Airlines. With the advent of WWII, he was
assigned to the Civilian Air Transport Command, making twice weekly transport
runs from Seattle to Alaska. He
was later transferred to Chicago, where he met his wife. From there, he went to Ft. Bragg to
learn the techniques of being an artillery spotter for the Army, flying light
aircraft designated L-4, L-5, or L-1.
He shipped over on the Queen Elizabeth with 20k troops and took up his
duties in France, flying 800 feet over enemy lines to call in artillery. In the course of his service, he was assigned
to 3rd Army Headquarters, and was often called upon to carry General
Patton. This service also brought
him into contact with famous officers, such as Eisenhower, Bradley, etc., when
they came to visit Patton. His
experience allowed him to narrate several stories about the ÒinfamousÓ General
Patton.
Some of his most moving
experiences included helping to liberate a concentration camp and a POW camp
with Allied soldiers. Owen was
proud of being the only non-commissioned pilot in Army Aviation. Because of the course of his career, he
did not attend officer training and circumstances never allowed for a field
commission.
NEXT WEEK: Craig Doporcyk on Cumberland Area
Emergency Medical Services