Veteran's History Project - Rolland E. Vencil

Rolland E. Vencil

Chief Master Sergeant

U.S. Air Force

1942-1967

Editor's Note: This story is one of many American Veteran accounts published in The Sidney Sun-Telegraph. The writer, who is from Potter, is conducting the interviews as part of the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project.

Rolland "Chief" Vencil graduated from Kimball High School in 1941. A few months later, Japanese forces struck ships of the U.S. Navy fleet, killing more than 2,800 people and causing incredible destruction.

Last month, the 70th anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor was remembered, reverently, solemnly. War was declared by President Roosevelt the day after the attack.

Rolland Vencil said that he always liked airplanes. He wanted to fly one or two. He also wanted in the fight. Because of an injury suffered earlier in his life, he was initially turned down by military recruiters. He returned to their offices a few weeks later and they took him, without question.

In the early going, he took the usual battery of tests so that the service could get a good fit for him, his skills and their needs. He qualified for the mechanics course. So, off he went, first to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., for a quick, three week piece of basic training ... to get in physical condition, learn to march and salute, learn some customs and courtesies, get used to taking orders, etc.. They would throw in a good haircut, new clothes and introduce you to lots of other men wanting to serve their country. At the end of that micro-training, he was sent to Chanute Air Base, near Champagne, Ill.

In a nine-month course of instruction, he learned the basic make up of the B-17, the Air Force's "flying fortress." This aircraft was capable of carrying a bigger bomb load, could fly at a higher altitude and fly further than its predecessors, the B-24 and/or the B-25. There were similar configurations however, including the additional firepower of the belly guns, the tail guns, chin guns, and the turret just behind the pilot/co-pilot positions.

Vencil read all about the plane. He practiced what he read about. Soon, he committed as much as he could to memory. He knew that this aircraft would be carrying much of the work as the U.S. and allied forces attacked positions of the Nazis.

Following his training in Illinois, he was sent to Spokane, Wash. There he would be assigned to the 385th Bomb Group situated at a fairly new base called the Spokane Army-Air Field (later became Fairchild Air Force Base).

His real training started here, where he became a lead maintenance inspector of 18 B-17 aircraft. His duties seemed very broad. He was to inspect the aircraft to be sure it was air-worthy, ready to fly the next day's missions. Anything on the aircraft had to be ready in a "go" or "no go" status. As 18 air crews trained, so did he and his men. Work in Washington lasted nearly a year.

The time to deploy arrived. Most personnel of the group sailed for Scotland aboard a ship that had previously been a cruise ship for tourists, but was bought by our military for use as a troop carrier. They arrived in Scotland, then went by train to Elmswell, England. The B-17s were flown there, and many had issues on arrival. The bomb group moved to Great Ashfield in the UK. From there they would fly 144 missions over enemy territory, conducting lethal bombing runs.

Vencil said that the B-17 could fly at over 30,000 feet. The air there is not only thin, but very cold. The air crew wore heavy insulated suits. The men who manned the machine gun positions, had electric wiring into their suits for additional warmth. There were three times when the tail gunners had frozen to death. Vencil and his men helped get them out of the gun areas, sadly.

He recalled another event that happened when one of the B-17s was on the flight line. The plane was fully fueled, armed and ready for take off. Somehow, an oxygen line broke and the oxygen leaked into the cabin of the plane. A fire started, creating a huge ball of gas and fuel and bullets. All they could do was take cover and make sure no one was hurt. His work was to wait for the planes to return to base after missions, then he would meticulously inspect them for flack damage, bullet holes, and mainly keep as many as "fully mission capable" for the next day. There was plenty of stress here.

During his deployment overseas, he kept in touch with his family by "V mail." His pay for walking around money was about $30 a month. Their food was largely powdered milk and eggs, plus a solid supply of C-rations. No entertainment troupes came to their base. If they did get a chance to leave the base, he and his buddies went to the USO in London.

He did get an opportunity to take five days leave to Scotland. One evening at the USO, he and his pals danced at a whistle dance. During dance sets, an organizer would blow a whistle, and dancers could change partners. One of his buddies brought his own whistle, and had lots of fun changing partners!

His commander was Major Mullins. At the end of completing 144 missions, the 385th Group returned to the US, to California. Vencil was assigned to work near Waco, Texas.

The Korean Conflict loomed – then became a reality. Vencil's proven ability as chief inspector of aircraft was again brought into play. This time, it was with a fighter squadron of F-84 aircraft. The planes were still involved in armed conflict and would need to be proven as ready for the mission daily.

He was certainly established as a maintenance inspector. Soon, he was in the running for a position with the U.S. Air Force Academy. The work would actually be at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. A command battle ensued, each ensuring Vencil that he was going to their area! He was now an E-8, Senior Master Sergeant. Finally, he went to Lowry. Here he made sure that the planes flown by Air Force cadets were air worthy. In time, retirement approached. He had reached the top rank of enlisted service, Chief Master Sergeant ... lots of stripes!

Air Force General Curtis LeMay was a known entity in military circles. One of his plans was to have as many people qualified as pilots as possible – civilian and military. The general found Chief Vencil and asked him to take over the maintenance of planes in a private flying club at Lowry A.F.B. At the start, there were three planes that could fly, others, not so much. Before much time, 16 would be ready. In the ensuing years, Vencil was to earn an award for the "Outstanding Air Club."

Vencil was a member of the "E-9ers" at Lowry A.F.B. and other bases around the country.

Chief Master Sergeant Vencil lives at the Kimball County Manor, 810 East 7th #216, Kimball, NE 69145. He would enjoy a card from you.

Thanks for your service, CMSGT Vencil!