Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing William Francis Andrews Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Persian Gulf War, 1991; Afghan War, 2001-
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 10th Fighter Squadron
- Location of Service: Germany; Idaho; Virginia; Persian Gulf; Iraq
- Highest Rank: Colonel; Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/42880
Bitten by the flying bug when he was sixteen years old, Colonel William Francis Andrews set his sights on the Air Force, and it did not disappoint: he got goosebumps the first time he sat down in an F-16 fighter jet. Despite a grueling schedule and constant fatigue, he found flying combat missions during the Persian Gulf War extremely satisfying, and enjoyed working as part of a team to protect the troops on the ground. On February 27th, 1991--just one day before the ceasefire that would end hostilities--he was shot down by Iraqi forces, and endured a week of beatings and interrogations before being turned over to the Red Cross. The "inspired leadership" of his commanders during his time in the Gulf propelled him to continue his military career after the war, in the hopes of providing that same sort of leadership to pilots serving under him.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
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PlayTaking flying lessons; deciding to attend the Air Force academy; life at the academy; becoming an F-16 pilot. 00:00:55.0 - 00:04:21.0
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PlayMorale of the troops in the Gulf; support from the States. 00:08:51.0 - 00:11:35.0
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PlayTypes of missions he flew during the war. 00:15:09.0 - 00:16:18.0
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PlayPace of missions; intensity of schedule; trying to get enough sleep; most difficult aspects of being at war. 00:19:31.0 - 00:23:59.0
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PlaySource of greatest satisfaction; memorable mission on February 24, 1991. 00:24:14.0 - 00:25:54.0
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PlayMission on February 27, 1991; being hit by a surface to air missile; bailing out; hitting the ground and breaking his leg; captured. 00:25:58.0 - 00:28:33.0
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PlayQuality of leadership; wanting to provide that to pilots serving under him. 00:32:06.0 - 00:33:35.0
About this Item
Title
- William Francis Andrews Collection
Names
- Pearson, Patricia O.
- Reilly, James Joseph
- Andrews, William Francis
- James Madison High School
Home State
- Virginia
Headings
- - Andrews, William Francis
- - Persian Gulf War, 1991 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
- - Prisoner of War -- United States
- - Afghan War, 2001- -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
Persian Gulf War, 1991
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 10th Fighter Squadron
- Location of Service: Germany; Idaho; Virginia; Persian Gulf; Iraq
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1980
- Prisoner of War: Yes
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
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Afghan War, 2001-
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: VHS-C [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2005-06-02)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording (collected 2005-06-02)
- Photograph: Digital print [3 items] -- Photograph (collected 1991)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/42880
Cite as
- William Francis Andrews Collection (AFC/2001/001/42880), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video