(Dale) Richard MacCullom Oral History

Authors

St. Cloud State University

Document Type

Interview

Publication Date

5-3-1990

Abstract

Biographical Information:

Dale Richard (Dick) MacCullom was born on August 20, 1922, in Gilmore City, Iowa, and lived much of his life in St. Peter, Minnesota. He attended the Iowa Teachers College before volunteering to become a Navy pilot in 1941. He served 14 months in the Pacific theater during World War II, piloting Corsairs and Curtiss Helldivers before being honorably discharged on 15 June 1946. He later joined the Navy Reserves and worked in civilian aviation until his retirement at age 65. He passed away 9 February 2007 in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Transcript Summary:

MacCollum recounted his time during training in the Navy, including 17 midair collisions and 5 deaths in one day. Earning his wings on November 19, 1943, in Pensacola, Florida and becoming an ensign, MacCullom was then trained in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing piloting a Corsair. He piloted both the Corsair fighter plane and the Curtiss Helldiver bomber on multiple missions in the Pacific and was promoted to lieutenant. He was honorably discharged om June 15, 1946. MacCollum also spoke about his life after the war, being employed flying for civilian companies, and joining the Navy Reserves after the end of his active-duty career.

Interviewed by John Carter

Comments

Image ID: 14274

See additional files below for full transcript.

Recommended Citation

St. Cloud State University, "(Dale) Richard MacCullom Oral History" (1990). World War II Veterans. 12.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/12