Oral History Interview with John Harley Ruth, February 28, 2012
Creation Information
Context
Audiences
We've identified this sound as a primary source within our collections. Researchers, educators, and students may find this recording useful in their work.
Contact Us
Subjects
Related Items
Oral History Interview with John Harley Ruth, February 28, 2012 (Text)
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Harley Ruth. After doing a little work in Arkansas after completing high school, Ruth joined the Army in Fort Worth, Texas in 1940. He trained in the artillery in San Antonio, then became an instructor at a Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After one year of service, Ruth applied for pilot training in the Army Air Corps, was accepted, and reported to Brooks Army Air Field for preflight training just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shares anecdotes about flight training all over Texas: Cuero, San Antonio, Brady. Upon completion of flight training, Ruth was assigned to the 5th Ferry Group in the Air Transport Command. Ruth shares several stories about various airplanes he ferried all over the United States during 1942-1943. In 1944, Ruth was assigned to ferry a C-46 to India. From there, he flew supplies up into China over the Himalaya Mountains. He recalls several experiences: one involving General Clarie Chennault, a few close calls, and ferrying money and a load of tin. In late 1944, Ruth returned to Dallas where his wife and son were living. He was stationed at Love Field. His next assignment was to ferry a C-46 to Biak, New Guinea. Ruth also speaks about flying some rather obscure aircraft: the B-32, the B-34, the B-47, etc. At the end of the war, Ruth resigned his commission, but returned to the Army Air Forces after a few months as a Master Sergeant and was assigned to Panama. Later he got recalled and was commissioned a second time. Ruth continues wit hanecdotes about the rest of his career in the Air Force.
Oral History Interview with John Harley Ruth, February 28, 2012, [transcript] ark:/67531/metapth1606142
Oral History Interview with John Harley Ruth, February 28, 2012, audio recording, February 28, 2012; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1609949/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation.