US Naval Air Station, Melbourne Florida, World War II

About the Book

Operational flight training in fighter aircraft in WW II was a highlight for young Navy pilots. The Naval Air Station, Melbourne, Florida was a specialized fighter training base that saw many of the young men become top gun fighter pilots. This book traces the training Navy cadets went through, the operational training they accomplished, and the history of NAS Melbourne from its grass roots through the war years. Activities and actions that went on at this Navy base are told along with stories about some of the people that ran the base. There are 60 images in the book along with a map of the base and close- up photos of the buildings. It is a history written in a way that takes the reader back in time and lets him “live” through those activities brought on by a war that no one wanted but had to cope with.

About the Author

Commander William R. Barnett was born in 1922, joined the US Navy as an aviation cadet in 1942 and graduated in May of 1944. He was sent to the Naval Air Station, Melbourne, Florida for instruction in day fighter pilot techniques and from there to NAS Vero Beach, Florida for training in night fighter combat. He served the remainder of the war with night fighter squadron 52. During his career in the Navy he served 10 years on active duty and 15 years in the Organized Reserves. He holds a BS:BA degree from Bowling Green State University. His civilian occupation was with several Aerospace companies where he specialized in engineering planning of major projects. He also was employed as a test pilot in the dynamic flight simulation lab at North American Aviation. He and his wife Sara are retired and living in Melbourne, Florida.