The Fascinating Story of a WWII Pilot Turned Artist

World War II was a time of immense bravery and sacrifice. Countless heroes emerged from the chaos of war, each with their own unique story. One such hero was John Thompson, a night flying pilot who not only fought for his country but also expressed his experiences through art.

The Call to Duty

John Thompson was born in a small town in Iowa, USA, in 1918. His adventurous spirit led him to join the military as soon as he turned 18. Little did he know about the remarkable journey that awaited him.

Sketches of a Black Cat - Full Color Collector's Edition: Story of a night flying WWII pilot and artist

by Ron Miner (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23378 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	263 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In 1941, just a few months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Thompson enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He trained as a night flyer, a specialized position that required exceptional skill and the ability to navigate through the darkness.

The Night Skies of WWII

Thompson's wartime experiences were beyond anything he could have imagined. Flying through the night skies while being subjected to enemy fire was not only physically demanding but mentally exhausting as well.

However, it was during these dark moments that Thompson found solace in the beauty of the night sky. In order to preserve his memories and emotions, he began to sketch and paint whenever he had the chance.

From Pilot to Artist

After bravely serving his country during the war, Thompson returned home as a highly respected pilot. But he couldn't shake off his newfound passion for art.

Thompson enrolled in an art school, where he honed his skills and further developed his unique style. His paintings depicted the night skies he had flown through during the war, capturing the sense of danger and beauty simultaneously.

A Testament to Resilience

Thompson's paintings gained recognition for their vibrant colors and emotional depth. He showcased his work in numerous art exhibitions, and his pieces quickly became sought-after by collectors and museums alike.

Through his art, Thompson was able to communicate the struggles and triumphs of his time as a night flying pilot. His paintings were a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of artistic expression.

A Legacy that Lives On

John Thompson passed away in 2005, leaving behind a rich legacy. His art continues to inspire and captivate audiences even today, acting as a reminder of the sacrifices made during WWII.

Thompson's story serves as an inspiration to all, proving that even in the darkest of times, creativity and passion can prevail. His journey from night flying pilot to renowned artist is a testament to the human spirit's ability to find beauty amidst chaos.

The story of John Thompson, the night flying WWII pilot turned artist, is one that deserves to be celebrated. Through his bravery and talent, he shared a unique perspective of war and its aftermath.

Thompson's paintings continue to serve as a reminder of both the horrors and the beauty that can be found in the darkest of moments. His legacy lives on, inspiring future generations to find solace, resilience, and hope through art.

Sketches of a Black Cat - Full Color Collector's Edition: Story of a night flying WWII pilot and artist

by Ron Miner (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23378 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	263 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

(Available in Color or B&W - click both format arrows - or Color Kindle)
“They painted our planes black, we wondered about that, then they put flame arrestors on our engines. We were told the cabin would be completely blacked out, the cockpit windows were darkened, and we would be doing mainly night work…” LCDR Howard Miner, VP-54
This coming-of-age story follows the exploits of a WWII Navy seaplane pilot who, flying in huge planes painted entirely black, became one of the first to fly night missions. From boxes of journals, photos, and artwork comes a true story filled with colorful descriptions of exotic locations, sea rescues, and the humor that was intrinsic to a Navy squadron’s daily life while at war in the South Pacific. His is a tale of seven buddies, all pilots who flew at night, slept and got into mischief by day, then repeated. Wartime was unpredictable, and whether landing on a tropical isle where the women he saw from the air turned out to be topless, or dropping wing tanks containing a strange new substance called “Napalm,” this was clearly a very different world than he had known as a college student in Indiana. Their seaplane odyssey stretched from the Solomon Islands to the northern tip of the Philippines and included a full range of missions, from search, attack, and bombing runs, to daring sea rescues. Howard’s journey through training and tours of duty is skillfully captured in his art and narratives. The descriptive verse from the artist’s viewpoint gives us a creatively told and intriguing portrayal of WWII’s Pacific Theater.
* * * * "Sketches of a Black Cat" is a unique and fascinating memoir of a World War II combat aviator ~ with original and previously unpublished sketches and photographs. This artfully crafted book is a must read for anyone in search of a new and completely different view into the world of war in the Pacific and on the home front during America's greatest conflict." ~ Larkin Spivey, military historian and author.
* * * * “From boxes of notes and drawings comes a book illuminating a WWII pilot’s experiences as part of the Black Cat Squadron…accounts of support missions, rescues of airmen and interactions with indigenous island peoples told in vivid but unembellished detail…a handsome volume that reads breezily and is punctuated with photos and drawings from Howard’s war years. ~ Mike Francis the Oregonian
* * * * "Wonderful and beautifully real stories such as this are dying every day as we lose our WWII veterans. Kudos to Ron Miner for preserving and sharing with the rest of us the gold of his father's journals, photos, and drawings to bring us such a compelling look at life during the war. This is not only a valuable and insightful historical document but a dramatic and warm personal story." ~ Don Keith, WWII author
* * * * “... Howard Miner’s memoirs are a wonderful view into the world of a patrol squadron at war. Miner sees the war through the eyes of an artist, revealing details of day-to-day life that are often overlooked in war time narratives. A wholly enjoyable story!” ~ Stewart Bailey, Curator, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
* * * * " “As a former flight engineer aboard a PBY in WWII… I can truly say I felt as though I was on Howard’s Catalina…so many similarities to my own experiences. I can almost hear the drone of the engines in synchronization. Many episodes were warm and compelling. I highly recommend this book to vets, historians, and students. You won’t put down Sketches of a Black Cat till you’ve read it cover-to-cover!” ~ Win Stites, VP-91, VP2-1 served in both Atlantic and Pacific regions during WWII, Former President PBY Memorial Foundation and Museum