My father Ernest Anders Erickson at the time a Cadet, in a portrait from mid 1943 during his Primary Flight Training at Kelly Field in Texas.

Ernest graduated from Blackland Airfield in October of 1943 and received his wings and became a B-17 pilot. He then made a beeline for a visit to his family in Dakota. The reunion at home with his family can be seen easily in the photograph below.

Ernest left the states in January of 1944 and was permanently stationed at Horham Airfield in England with the 95th Bomb Group (Heavy) through October of 1944.

Ernest wrote an average of 4 - 5 letters home a week to his family while he was stationed in England. Many were profound like this June 6th, 1944 letter. Some were simple letters written just to make sure his mother knew he was okay.

Lt. Ernest Anders Erickson flew thirty five missions over German occupied Europe with the 334th Squadron and came home without a scratch yet had life changing experiences and memories that he dealt with over the rest of his life. Growing up with him as his son I was fortunate to hear many of his Air Corps tales and the rest were left for me to find in his archives. Ernest's letters and mission notes told another level of his story that is both compelling and awe inspiring. Many of these can be found on various pages of this website. I invite you to peruse the site and read some of these letters and articles.

The below inscription reads:
'Take it Easy! Ernie Erickson - Eager Beaver of Flight B'

My father's nickname, "Speed' of that time 1942-1943 can be clearly seen. Later in 1943 his bomber crew nicknamed him 'Lindy' as they felt he resembled Charles Lindbergh.

Under the inscription reads:
Ernest A. Erickson
Park Hill Addition
Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck Junior College
Army Engineers, Seattle

Growing up during the Depression, Ernest watched the skies for airplanes as he walked home from school each day. He enjoyed going with his father Frank to see the barnstorming flyers who put on exhibitions in the area.

His childhood hero was already Charles Lindbergh and he kept a keen eye on Lindbergh in the news. Along with tales he heard from his Uncle Andrew, brother to his father Frank, who had served in France in the 101st Aero Squadron in the Air Corps during the first World War, Ernest had become certain he would one day fly.

My father’s dream of becoming an aviator was fulfilled when he joined the Army Air Corps, soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

I have no clue who this inscription was written to, yet very pleased to have it up here on the site. Thanks goes to Tony Destro for locating this unique piece of history. Below is the original portrait of my father in full flight gear.