2 Peter 1:20-21. Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. [ESV]
Francis Lyle Lee entered the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet March 5, 1942. Lee began primary flight training on June 27 in the 165 hp Ryan PT-22. With nine hours and three minutes of dual instruction logged, Cadet Lee soloed on his fourteenth flight over California’s Central Valley. Frank’s training journey continued in the 450 hp BT-13, 650hp AT-6, and various fighters including the P-47, P-40, and eventually the P-51 Mustang.
Lee’s aviation duties during World War II took him from California to Arizona, then Tallahassee, Florida, where he continued work as a gunnery instructor and assistant operations officer. On February 28, 1945, Captain Lee departed San Francisco, bound for the Pacific theater of operations. On June 10, 1945, Lee was credited with an aerial victory over a Japanese Tony fighter while in battle over Tokyo. With 1547 hours as a pilot, including 1166 in fighter aircraft Francis Lyle Lee returned home in late 1945 to Roanoke, Virginia.
Lee was one of millions of brave Americans who served during World War II. Frank rejoined his wife, the former Francis Gusler and young daughter, Nancy to attend Washington and Lee University, build a business, and leave a legacy. Not as a war hero but good husband, father, and granddad.
According to family lore, God’s spirit touched Lee with the strong hands of a builder who made great pickles.
What ordinary people have had extraordinary influence upon your life?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I’m grateful for the blessing of meeting Nancy Swartz and reading through the logbooks, photos, and papers from her father, Francis Lee. You connect us with people and circumstances with divine purpose and timing. Allow Captain Lee’s life story to inspire others. Encourage us, Lord, that each person’s journey and legacy matters.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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