Thomas F. Critz initially enlisted in December 8, 1942 at Miami Beach and he was in the Army Air Corps for a year. He was honorably discharged on March 11, 1944 to accept reappointment. He was training to become a fighter pilot like his brother Harry Critz.
The amount of time of active service that Critz completed is disputed over because of his various enlistment dates. According to Critz’s report of death from the War Department of the Army, he completed 10 months and 18 days of active service at the time of his death. However, according to his actual enlistment dates, his time of active service should be close to two years.
Critz entered the military again by entering flight school, and he earned the rank of Second Lieutenant. He has two service numbers: 0-827395 and 14188755.
June 1943: Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio
Critz was a part of the 28th College Training Detachment at Western Reserve University. There were over 151 College Training Detachments for WWII aircrew training.
At Western Reserve University, Critz likely took classes taught by college faculty members, such as history, physics, geography, English, and civil air regulations. College training programs’ military indoctrination included inspections and ceremonies, guard duty, customs and courtesies, and medical aid. Students had to march to and from classes and follow proper military courtesies at all times. One hour of daily physical conditioning was also required at all college training programs, which included running, competitive sports, and calisthenics.
WWII USAAF 28th College Training Detachment Western Reserve University Instructor Jacket Patch. [Source: The Flying Tiger Antiques]
June 1943: Army Air Force Combat Command in Nashville, Tennessee
In June 1943, Critz was transferred to the Army Air Force base in Nashville, Tennessee, and he was in a Combat Command. The Flying Training Command desired to locate separate classification centers for aircrew candidates across the nation in areas south of the 37th parallel, where weather conditions were conducive to year-round flying. Aircrew candidates would flow into the classification centers at a relatively uniform rate, and processing would take a minimum of three weeks.
The average length of time spent at a classification center was 26 days, which would explain why Critz moved to Maxwell, Alabama the next month.
July 1943: Army Air Force Pre-Flight School for Pilots at Maxwell Field, Alabama.
Critz was then transferred to the Army Air Force Pre-Flight School for Pilots at Maxwell Field, Alabama. In July 1943. At Maxwell Field, hundreds of cadets learned how to fly into combat, including Critz. In Maxwell Field, Critz likely participated in many exercises that strengthened neck, legs, and core muscles to improve efficiency in the cockpit.
November 1943: In the 52nd Army Air Force Flight Training Detachment in Albany, Georgia.
Critz then trained in the 52nd Army Air Force Flight Training Detachment in Albany, Georgia. Training decreased after 1943, so Critz was in one of the Detachment's last classes.
52nd Army Air Force Flight Training Detachment Patch. [Source: United States Army Air Forces]
More Transfers
Critz was also transferred to the Army Air Force Base in Greenwood, Mississippi in October 1943 and at the Napier Field Air Force Base in Dothan, Alabama.