The Story of One Navy Fighter Pilot

About the Book

This is a true story of a young man born into poverty but highly motivated to reach one of the highest sought after goals of his day.  Too many people feel that poverty is a barrier to education and public service.

This is the story of the training and motivation needed to fly a fighter plane off an aircraft carrier into combat in an enemy country which is completely unknown to him.  To be able to find enemy targets in a country to which you have never been before and to inflict the greatest damage possible.

This is the story of some of the reaction of the United States to the losses at Pearl Harbor.  The song, “Lets Remember Pearl Harbor” never stopped until victory was achieved.  This pilot flew one of the last missions against Japan.  He flew air cover for the signing of the peace to end WWII.  He stood proudly on the deck of his carrier as it went into Tokyo Bay to pick up its landing party.   He was on this aircraft carrier that led the fleet into New York City to be reviewed by the President of the United States.

This young man went on in life to graduate from college and earn three graduate degrees.  He served in many community volunteer positions and served an interim term in the county government where he lives.  He returned to the Navy to serve as a Marine Corps Chaplain with the Marines in the Korean Conflict.

It is the sincere hope of the author that this story will motivate many others to do more than they think they can do.  Your reach must exceed your grasp.  You will never know what you can do until you try!

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Rains, Sr.

Calvin E. Rains, Sr. was born on a farm in Oklahoma in 1924.  He grew up in the depression of the 1930’s.  His family moved to California to find work.   He was a senior in high school December 7, 1945.  He joined the Navy V-5 program the summer of 1942.and became a Navy Fighter Pilot.  He saw combat against Japan with Fast Carrier Task Force 38.  He was wounded once.  He received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.

After WWII he became a minister.  He was studying to be a translator of Greek when the Korean War began.  He went back into active service as a Navy Chaplain.  He served Navy and Marine units in the San Francisco area and then as a Chaplain with the First Marine Division in Korea.  He served seven different Marine units.  Most were infantry.  Chaplain Rains went on all movements with his units.

After Korea, Rev. Rains returned to civilian life and served churches on the East Coast.  Rev. Rains served a total of 58 years in ministry.  He worked in the community serving on boards of Social Service, HOSPICE, CONTACT and other community efforts.

Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Rains, Sr. holds four earned degrees.

Rev. Rains is also the author of three other books:  (1) My Journey With Pancreatic Cancer, (2) Teach Me How to Die, (3) Thorn In The Flesh.