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Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


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PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:02 pm 
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Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:22 pm
Posts: 554
Location: LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA
Yes, they were based at Miami.

From my article on USN Commander Hollis Henry "Holly" Hills:

Having had a taste of combat, Hills yearned for more. He was aware that many Americans were laterally transferring to the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) and some of his fighter pilot buddies were heading over to the 4Th Fighter Group (FG) at Debden. He had plans to join the 4th and fly Spitfires, but was told he was needed at a P-38 Unit. He then talked to the United States Navy Reserve (USNR) and, after weighing his options, he opted to transfer to that service. FO Hills requested and received an honourable discharge from RCAF Overseas Headquarters in London, England on November 4, 1942. Four days later he was Commissioned in the USNR with the rank of Lieutenant (jg).

Holly returned to the States in December on the Ocean Liner Queen Mary. He was sent to Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida for indoctrination. Next, it was over to NAS Miami, Florida for gunnery training. After his first hop as a student at Miami, the roles were quickly reversed. Hills spent the next three months Instructing the Instructors on F2A-1 -2 and -3 Brewster Buffaloes and F4F Grumman Wildcats! Turns out, Hollis was the only pilot at Miami with any combat experience!!

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.


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