8: Hawks and Brookley Bump in the Air
I would have had Lieut. Wendall Brookley tell this story in order to have his side of it. But poor Brookley was taken from our ranks at Boiling Field when his propeller gave way on a take-off. He jumped to save his life, but his chute failed to open in time. Death took a fine man and a splendid aviator who had devoted the best years of his life to flying.
During the war, Brookley and I were stationed for a period at Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas. At that time this field was an advanced school turning out instructors. He was Officer in Charge of the Field and I was Flying Adjutant to Capt. John Macready.
In addition to our regular duties, Brookley and I used to go up every day and stage a mimic combat. We were certain that at any moment we would b
