NavCad
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Coastal South Carolina - Summer of 1942. Bruce Weber is arrested by Charleston County police for the eighth time. He is charged with reckless driving, speeding and accused of possibly hauling bootleg whiskey. He appears before grouchy old Judge Wade Bleese who is inclined to be sympathetic. Digging deeply for a soution to the dilemma, Bleese offers Bruce an option: go to juvenile correction and possibly jail or enlist in the Navy's V-5 Aviation Cadet Pogram which does not permit cadets to be married or to drive while in the program. Bruce elects the latter. He has a problem convincing his sweetheart that they cannot marry until he gets his wings. Bruce is sent to Pre-Flight School at the Univ. of GA then to primary training at St. Louis, MO and finally to advanced training at Pensacola. At pre-flight, primary and advanced training, his short temper and flippant mouth get him into trouble with his instructors. During primary training he demonstrates unique abilities and talent in the flying phase but continues to have trouble with military regulations and supervisory personnel in the ground phases. He has a brief, steamy sexual affair with a Wave before leaving for Pensacola. During the final months of his advanced training, Bruce continues to demonstrate exceptional skill in flying, winning the admiration of his fellow cadets as well as his flight instructors, but he is also constantly distressed as his demerit total soars almost to the level where he might be eliminated from the program.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
WWII - 1942 - Coastal South Carolina Twenty year old Bruce Weber is arrested, accused of running bootleg whiskey in his souped up hot rod. He is given the option of going to jail or enlisting in the V-5 US Naval Aviation Cadet Program (that does not allow cadets to drive) by a local judge. Bruce elects the latter and is sent to Pre-Flight School at the Univ. of GA, to St.Louis MO for primary training and to Pensacola for “Final Squadron”. During Cadet Training, Bruce’s experiences many dramatic -- sometimes dangerous, sometimes trying, often humorous - incidents and a few romantic interludes. Although he demonstrates exceptional flying ability and leadership that gains the admiration of fellow cadets and his flight instructors, he has a short temper and has difficulty with regulations. Nearing completion of flight training, Bruce is deeply concerned because he is in danger of “washing-out” due to accumulated demerits.
About the Author
David Weaver is a retired naval aviator and school teacher He enlisted in the Navy V-5 Avaition Cadet Program in 1942 served 39 years in the naval reserve and retired with the rank of commander.. After flight training his tours of active duty involved flying Hellcat and Corsair fighter planes off carriers during WWII and Grumman Panther jet fighters during the Korean war. Between wars he served as an instructor at the Naval Aviation Training Command at Corpus Christi, TX. Remaining in the Reserves after the Korean conflict, he taught El-Hi and college classes in Calif. Weaver received a BS degree from the Univ. of So. Cal and holds an MS degree from Cal St. Univ., Los Angeles. He now lives in Florida.