The Silver King's War

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This episode begins The Silver King's war writing, "Dearest Ones,"  from Europe.  Our hero, Stanley Silverfield, The Silver King, wrote hundreds of letters to family and friends in Birmingham, Baton Rouge, Chicago and New York City, throughout his Second World War. The Europe letters start as Stanley, a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Air Corps, describes a comfortable Atlantic crossing on the Queen Mary ocean liner, converted to be a troop transport during the war, from the New York Harbor POE, to England in September 1944.    

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This bonus episode is an historic overview of The Cunard Line's RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Queen Mary.   The Silver King, Second Lieutenant Stanley L. Silverfield, rode this ocean liner to his war in late September 1944.  His POE was New York harbor's Brooklyn Terminal.  Stanley wrote effusively about this Atlantic crossing.  He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life as an Air Corps officer.  Cunard converted the RMS QM to a troop transport ship after the Second World War began in September 1939. The ocean liner sailed to Australia during the spring of 1940 for its conversion and began transporting Australian and New Zealand troops to England for the allied invasion operations.

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This episode is the third arc summary for The Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Columbia Army Air Base in South Carolina and Barksdale Army Air Base in Shreveport, Louisiana.  Stanley was flying on the B-17 and B-25 for advanced bomber training.  Just before shipment to his POE for the European Theater of Operations, he was moved to Barksdale Field for new, advance training on the B-26, Martin Marauder. 

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This episode concludes The Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Barksdale Army Air Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. The flying hours are intense as the bombardiers push to complete their work before shipment to their Port of Embarkation in New York harbor.  Stanley is ready for his role in the European Theater of Operations. First, however, the big city awaits our hero.

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This is the second episode of Stanley's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Barksdale Army Air Base in Shreveport, Louisiana.   The Silver King continues his training to fly the B-26 in Europe. " It's hot as hell," tough to sleep, and the swimming pool offers relief.  The country club days are done. His commanding officer has timely advice for this young air cadet after receiving a telephone call from Stanley's mother, Sara Belle.  

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This episode begins The Silver King's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Barksdale Army Air Base in Shreveport, Louisiana.  It's after D-Day (June 6) and the start of a deep, humid 1944 summer.  Stanley's Air Corps dream assignment is about to begin.  He and his guys have heard that the B-26 is a hot ride. Now The King, after a surprising and pleasant fifteen-day leave, will develop his skills as a Marauder Man bombardier. 

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This episode is the conclusion of The Silver King's letters, “Dearest Ones,” from Columbia Army Air Base in South Carolina.  Stanley, our hero, was anticipating shipment to his POE for the European Theater of Operations.  Suddenly, new orders will send bombardiers to Barksdale Army Air Base in Shreveport, Louisiana, for advanced training on the B-26.  The Silver King will get the Martin Marauder, the ride he wants for his war. 

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This episode is Part Seven of The Silver King's Letters, “Dearest Ones,” from Columbia Army Air Base in Columbia, South Carolina.  Stanley is working hard, flying longer training missions, some of which become grand adventures.  It's spring 1944 and he is, officially, a co-pilot. He received his check-rider approval one year from his late April 1943 pilot-school washout in Lakeland, Florida.

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This episode is Part Six of Stanley's letters, "Dearest Ones," from Columbia Army Air Base in South Carolina.  It's early April 1944.  The Silver King has completed ground school.  He and his guys continue to train on heavy bombers and the B-25.  Stanley will be 21 on April 23.

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This episode is Part Five in The Silver King's letters, “Dearest Ones,” from advance bomber training in Columbia, South Carolina.  Stanley's flying longer training runs on larger planes and enjoying the work. And, he remains hopeful about a car.

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