Jaris Tankersley
home text table of contents oral history index
WWII Veteran
Inteviewed: February, 2001
Interveiwer: Betty Dotson Lewis
Jaris Tankersley
One month after turning 18 years old, in May 1944, Tankersley was called to active duty. First entering basic training at Amarillo Air Force Base then to Buckingham Army Air Force Base in Florida. At MacDill Field, Tankersley entered overseas training. There were 30 crews established for the 58th win, all with new B-29s. Ten crews were lost while they were in training due to mishaps of various kind.
Tankersley flew from Sacramento to Hawaii and then Kuadulon and then into Tinian Island and became a part of the 58th wing, the 468th Bomb Group, the 792 Squadron where he was one of five crew.
Tankersley flew his first mission over Japan the night of July 4th, 1945. As a tail gunner he flew 8 1/2 missions - the half mission was the result of being in enemy territory and dropping all of their bombs due to engine trouble and the return to base.
Discharged on April 12, 1946, Tankersley spent twenty-two months to the day in the United States Air Force.
Awards included: Victory Medal WWII, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater with 3 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and Air Medal with 1 Bronze Cluster.
end of interview.