Col. Harold Rau speaks about Cy Wilson
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(Note: This all brings back a flood of memories, forgive me if not everything is accurate.)

In the spring of 44, the 20th. was in a shambles, Sq. COs were being lost daily, 100% loses overall, Operational orders, GP & Sq. COs needed a new outlook, pilot confidence was generly low. Mark Hubbard was sent in to "Gung Ho" the outfit, but he went down after a very few missions. Fortunately, we got our "Father Figure", Col Rau, and Cy came in like a Bulldog. It wasn't easy for him, all kinds of criticism prevailed. Within days, the 55th Sq. CO., McAulty went KIA and Cy was shoved in as their new CO. Rau flew with them for several missions to get Cy properly broke-in, and it was gang-busters from thereon. You could say, "old head" Rau knew what had to be done and Cy was more than willing and able to get it done. When I talk of one, I'm seeing both these great Men.

Looking at records, a curious thing comes up, each are credited with only 3 victories. I can tell you this: They both gave away claims--I can confirm atleast 3 claims for each --There is no doubt in my mind that each had many more.

When Brad (James Bradshaw) and I finished our tours of duty, Cy requested that we come to his office (he was the Deputy Group CO). We woke him from a nap; he welcomed and congratulated us. He told us that he had been reviewing our forms and was unhappy with the fitness reports given us and didn't understand the Squadron Commander's reasons. Cy sat down at his typewriter and pecked out Letters of recommendation for both of us. He said what had occured couldn't be undone but to attach these letters to our fitness records in the hopes they would help. Strangely this letter disappeared from my forms.

Cy had come down to us from Iceland. Don't know what kind of caper he pulled to get to combat. Records dont substantiate it, but he flew his first mission on my wing and few often with the 79th.FS before being assigned as Co of the 55th.FS.

One of the many things that made Cy a great Commander was his interest in all unit activities. He Commandiered a MP motorcycle so he could get around the base on inspection/visits. The Ground Crews were out there at night in the cold rain and snow preparing the A/C, fuel, armament and a myriad of other things; Cy was out there too, encouraging them and showing that someone cared. He and Rau would organize baseball games between Officers and Enlisted men. Insignas were off, as was every other Military restriction between grades. No better way to vent "Rank" frustrations!

Cy Wilson and True magazine correspondent Arch Whitehouse. Note the motorcycle.

My friend Philip Pearson was also transfered to the 55th at the same time. Cy had by now gained an aggressive reputation, and while leading an attack on a train Pearson flew into the ground. Somehow, by someone, Cy was blamed for his death. This was ridiculus and I made some noise in his defense.

Silver Bars (Captains) and Eagles(Colonels)don't naturally become close friends, but I feel Cy and I had a good relationship and most all pilots felt the same way. He became Deputy Group CO and later Group CO. Somehow, when he flew with the 79th.FS, I was with him, including when he took out the first P-38 modified with Dive Brakes & Aileron Boost and got to demonstrate just how effective this modification could be.

After the war and after jet fighters, Cy was one of the people who perfected world wide Fighter Deployment and Nuclear Delivery. "Cy Wilson" stories became abundant, like the one about his jets becoming lost in bad weather and Cy stealing a 4-engine A/C, going out, collecting them and bringing them in for safe landings...

Cy was noted for the constant cigar in his mouth. He and 1st.FG CO Dave Shilling(56th FG) used to come to SAC Hq. to confer with Gen. Curtis LeMay. Curt would break out his Cuban Churchills, Dave would put his feet up on Curt's desk, all would puff away and have a very spirited conference.

It was told that on climbing to altitude, the blower kicking in was Cy's signal to remove the cigar and strap on the Oxygen mask and somehow at the same altitude on desent it was removed and the cigar was inserted. He was killed trying to dead stick his F-84F on a Highway just to try to find out why the damm engines were quiting,(actually it was an engine iceing problem,) and legend has it that he wouldn't have been killed, dead-sticking that F-84F if he hadn't removed his mask/loosened his helmet strap, and inserted the da***d cigar!

He was a rough old geezer, but was loved by his pilots. I should also mention the long distance records with his F-82 (shown above) outfit, but there is only so much space.

When I think of Cy Wilson, the word "legend" comes to mind. My son was born not long after his death and I named him Cy, in the Colonel's honor.

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COL. ILFREY REMEMBERS CY WILSON
An excerpt from "Happy Jack's Go Buggy"