Over the few years I have been a member here, I have
mentioned on a number of occasions that my neighbor
was a pilot for Gen Patton's staff.
My friend and neighbor Owen Mobley passed away Friday
Nov.14 2014. at the age of 91.
He started his military carrier flying C47 cargo planes to the
Aleutian islands. As D-day approached, he was transferred
to Fort Brag and assigned to a field artillery unit. He was
trained as a artillery spotter. He was attached to Gen. Patton's
3rd army and soon became part of Patton's headquaters staff.
His primary responsibility was that of a spotter pilot and was
also charged with the setup and maintenance of the air field each
time it changed locations. ( almost every 3 days near war's end)
He also taxied the many visitors to Patton's HQ. Eisenhower,
Churchill,Montgomery, among others.
He was not Patton's primary pilot but did take him up on
several occasions, including taking him to the Rhine for the
famous piss photo.
After the end of the war, he remained in the Army, working
as a airplane mechanic, classroom flight instructor. During
the Korean war he served state side with the 101st Airborne.
After retirement from the Army, he worked as a civilian contractor
for the Army. His last duty was running the Twin City Army
Ammunition plant. He was there through the Vietnam years
and retired in the 1980s.
I have lived across from him for 30 years. He was a kind,
honorable man and I will miss him dearly.
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