Satterfield, James

VenturaCountyStar.com
County News
Ventura County Star County News
California
March 31, 2007

Courtesy photo

A 'kid' from Oklahoma looks back on the tragedies of war

James Satterfield didn't think twice about enlisting in the Army when he heard about the Japanese attack against the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. In fact, in January 1942, the 19-year-old Oklahoma "kid," as he was called by his unit, hurriedly traveled to the recruitment office in Oklahoma City and enlisted as a member of the Army Air Corps.

"Most of us had no clue what we were getting into," said the Fillmore resident, 84. "We knew it was war and that people were being killed, but I think initially, we all thought of it as an adventure."

Satterfield grew up on a small farm in Ball Hill, Okla., where his father worked in nearby oil fields. As a child during the Depression, Satterfield worked on a neighbor's farm for $1 a day.

"The Depression was a tough time for so many people," he recalled. "I remember watching my father carry groceries across the river during a hard rain. The river would always rise when it rained hard, but he still kept on through it."

The idea of fighting for a better life was an adventure Satterfield eagerly welcomed.

On Jan. 18, 1942, he boarded a bus headed to Fort Sill, Okla., for basic training. From there, he was sent to Shepherd Field, Texas, as an aerial mechanic attached to the 45th Bombardment Squadron, 40th Bombardment Group. His unit was eventually called to active duty.

The group boarded a transport ship bound for Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, and combat training on Feb. 26. Within eight months, the 45th was transferred to France Field in the Panama Canal, and on Dec. 1, less than one year after enlisting, Satterfield was promoted to the rank of corporal.

"The war really hadn't sunk in at that point. We were just preparing for combat but hadn't seen it firsthand," he said.

The war may have still been a distant reality for members of the 45th, but the effects were close by.

"We flew reconnaissance missions while in the Canal," said Satterfield. "We saw what was happening but still had the chance to be more removed from it."

But within two months, the distance would no longer exist.

Traveling the globe

On Feb. 18, 1943, Satterfield and other members of the 45th were transferred to the Galapagos Islands. For the next year and a half, Satterfield traveled from the Pacific theater, through the European theater, and back to U.S., maintaining various aircraft and eventually serving as a tail gunner.

In the fall of 1943, while stationed at Pratt Army Air Base in Kansas, Satterfield began training to work as a mechanic on the newly released B-29 Superfortress. The training, which consisted of several dozen contractors working to get the aircraft's Wright R-3350 engine in reliable condition, became known as the "Battle of Kansas."

"It was taking too long to get the planes ready for war," said Satterfield. "They needed them soon, but their reliability was still minimal."

Gen. Hap Arnold of the Army Air Corps took over the program and prepared the heavy-duty aircraft for their first mission with a group he called the XX Bomber Command. By June 1944, the first group of B-29s had been called to duty to fly their first mission over Japan. The mission became known as "Operation Matterhorn."

Satterfield helped strengthen the B-29 engine but was sent on active duty before the mission was complete. He had been reassigned to India in April 1944 and served as a tail gunner for air support missions throughout the Pacific.

"We were all anxious to have the B-29s become part of our fight against the Japanese," said Satterfield. "Those on the ground needed a heavy bomber on their side, and we needed them on our side in the air."

By late August 1945, Satterfield was on his way home.

The war-ender

Before they could leave, the 45th was sent to Tinian, China, to complete their service. Satterfield and other members of his unit ignored signs blocking off a roadway that led to a hilltop that overlooked an U.S. air base, and climbed their way to the top.

"We could see them loading two big bombs onto two separate aircraft," he said. "We watched as they loaded them, not knowing what they were going to be used for."

Within days, the two bombs were dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending World War II.

Satterfield flew in 33 missions before he returned to the U.S. in September 1945. He maintains the pride that comes from never having to abandon a mission.

"A lot of crews didn't have a choice, but we were fortunate," he said. "We came under heavy fire, our landing gear failed while flying over China, and we lost a propeller over India, but we always managed to land safely. Our crew was always proud of that."

Satterfield has more than a clean flying record to be proud of.

He came home and was awarded eight medals in all, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

He also came home to the memories that war leaves behind.

"I can still see the face of a Japanese pilot that was chasing us to get a good shot," he said. "I and another gunner from a different plane shot him down before he could get to us. I was happy I did, but it's never something you want to brag about. Whether you fought on the ground or in the air, it always came down to you or the enemy. You both have families and people that love you, but nevertheless, one of you has to die. That is the tragedy of war."

Source: Ventura County Star County News.

Contributed by Marti Graham, March 2007. Information posted as courtesy to researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.