Further study:  Col. Peaslee authored the book “Heritage of Valor”.  It is out of print but used copies are sometimes available.

This autobiography of Col. Budd J. Peaslee is the property of his son, Richard Peaslee, and is printed here with permission and with thanks. 

The writer was born on a farm in Cataragus County, upper New York State, May 26, 1902.  Family goes back to the American Revolution on both sides.  Grandfather fought in Custer's Brigade during War between the States and was wounded at Gettysburg.  Moved to California in 1907 following the great earthquake and settled at Greenfield in the Salinas Valley.  Attended Salinas schools at the same time as John Steinbeck and worked with Steinbeck one summer in a surveyor crew.  Saw first airplane at the first Ca1ifornia Rodeo in 1910 - went home and tried to build one.  After high school graduation, worked a year to earn money for college and enrolled in University of Nevada in 1924, became member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.  Played football on "scrub” team at 130 pounds - injured and forced to drop out of school.  After recovery, enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corps as Flying Cadet.  Graduated Brooks and Kelly, Primary and Advanced Flying Schools and was commissioned 2nd Lt. Air Corps Reserve 1926.

Went to first station for one year active duty at Mitchel Field, Long Island in 1927.  Studied at Emerson Institute, Washington, D.C., through assistance of Gen. Benjamin Foulois and took exam for regular commission.  Received Regular Commission 1928 and attended Air Corps Technical School, Chanute Field, Illinois.  Returned to Mitchel and took leave of absence to fly for Roosevelt Flying Service carrying the New York Times to Montreal during winter of 1929.  Married Nattie Phelps, New Berlin, New York at this time and received orders to Wheeler Field, Hawaii.  Served with Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg, then lieutenant, as squadron commander and leader of aerobatic fighter formation of Eighteenth Pursuit Group until 1932.

Transferred to Langley Field, Virginia assigned to Eighth Pursuit Group.  Took part in Army flying the airmail when President Roosevelt cancelled the airmail contracts l934-35.  Assigned to attend the Air Corps Tactical School (now the Air University) Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama, 1936.  Upon graduation, transferred to March Field, southern California, famous Nineteenth Bomb Croup.  Participated in first bomber flight to Hawaii and pre-flight tests.

During air expansion 1940 assigned to command first bomber squadron to Alaska as a captain.  Wife fatally hurt in auto accident and relieved of Alaska assignment for compassionate reasons involving two small children, Richard, age 5, and Carolyn, age 3.  Re-assigned to Fourth Air Support Command at Hamilton Field near San Francisco until Dec. 7, 1941.

 Re-assigned to Fourth Bomber Command charged with air defenses of west coast during early days. of war.  Re-assigned to Second Air Force and training of combat bomber crews.  Organized and took command of 333rd Bomb Group at Smokey Hill Air Base, Salina, Kansas, training replacement combat crews and dispatching to theaters of war until end of 1942,

Re-assigned to organize and take to war the 384th Bomb Group at Wendover Army Airbase, Utah, January 1, 1943.  Trained 384th at Wendover, Sioux City, Iowa, and Kearney, Nebraska and moved to England June 1943.  Engaged in combat next 20 months with 384th Bomb Group, deputy commander 40th Combat Wing, and commander First Scouting Force (temp.) in B-17’s, B-24's, P-51 (Mustang fighters) and British build (Allwood) Mosquito fighter-bombers.  Conceived, organized, and placed in combat the Air Scouts flying fighter aircraft in front of bomber forces.  Tested and perfected dispensing of electronic counter measures ahead of bomber formations over German targets to disrupt radar aiming of anti-aircraft guns.

Returned to Salinas end of 1944 for Rest and Recreation after 20 months of combat.  Re-assigned to Pentagon as head of all-weather flying program.  Married Evelyn Davis, Atlanta, Ga., secretary, Historical Division, Pentagon, 1946.  Re-assigned in 1946 as Senior Air Instructor to California Air National Guard.  Transferred to Headquarteres, Thirteenth Air Force at Clark Field in the Philippines 1950.  Served in Formosa as head or Far East Air Force Section, Also in Tokyo and Korea where received back Injury.  Returned to Luke Air Force Base_, Phoenix, Arizona as deputy commander.  Transferred to hospital Parks Air Force Base, California for analysis of back injury.  Retired physical disability Sept. 1953 after 28 years service.  War decorations include Silver Star (Schweinfurt), Legion of Merit (Air Scouts), Distinguished Flying Crosses (3), Air Medals (5), Croix et Guerre (French) plus service and campaign medals and Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation.

Returned to Salinas in retirement, wrote “World’s Greatest Air Battle (True Magazine – April issue 1957), Air Scouts of Eighth Bomber Command (Flying Magazine – February issue 1957).  Returned to school Hartnell Jr. College 1956-58.  Appointed Airport Commissioner, Salines, 1957-58 resigned to become Airport Director 1958 to date.  Now live at above address at Salinas with wife, Evelyn and daughter Michelle, age 13.  Continue as active pilot, own and oeprate Cessna 195 aircraft.

Participated in 37 air battles in WWII as task force commander and formation leader.  Retired in 1953 for physical disability incurred in line of duty.