Today I have the honor to interview Barbara Evans Kinnear, daughter of Richard Eager, a World War II veteran whose experiences
are documented in her recently released book: “Richard Eager” a Pilot’s Story
from Tennessee Eagle Scout to General Montgomery’s “Flying Fortress.”
I
think it is important to highlight that the origin of World War II is rooted in
the rise of fascist dictators like Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler
in Germany. These fascist dictators capitalized on the economic anxieties of
the time to abuse their power, and to scapegoat groups of people. These
dictators used racial hatred and national pride to gather support. One of their
strategies was to ban books. Banning books is a feature of dictators, so we
need to be aware of the implications of such behaviors to avoid falling for the
same past mistakes that led to persecution of dissidents, human rights violations and so much
human suffering. Their disregard for democratic principles escalated and expanded
beyond their borders to dominate other countries. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December
7 1941, The United States of America declared war on Japan. Italy and Germany
were allies of Japan and declared war on the United States.
Barbara Evans Kinnear: Thank you, Julia, for your
interest in my father’s book. I
am very grateful.
Julia: Tell us about your father. What was his
mission?
Barbara: My father, Richard Ernest Evans, was
a young man coming of age just as the Second World War erupted. For him, and
for many other young men and women, this was a harrowing and life-changing time
to be alive. In the service of their country, average citizens became
professional soldiers and had experiences that movie producers can only dream
about. As they performed their duties, they met, served, and protected
illustrious and prominent leaders, who are today recognized in the pages of
history, but they themselves are not.
Captain
Richard E. Evans was an American B-17 Flying Fortress pilot. He flew 55 combat
missions over North Africa, Italy and other German held territories. During
that time, he was chosen to fly British Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery to
wherever the General needed to be throughout North Africa and Italy. Evans and
“Monty” traveled together during a particularly dangerous phase of the war,
when the Allied forces were just beginning to turn back the brutal Axis armies
that had invaded North Africa and were closing in on Egypt in an effort to gain
control of the strategically vital Suez Canal. Over the deserts of Tunisia,
Libya, and Egypt, a rocky but honest and respectful friendship formed between
the young American pilot, Captain Evans, and his British commander, Field
Marshal Montgomery, later to become 1st Viscount of Alamein.
Captain
Evans retired to the Air Force Reserves months after the Japanese surrendered,
returning home to his wife and young daughter. He was asked to fly again when
the Korean War began. He continued in the Air Force flying the B-47, B-52, and
he became the B-58 Test Squadron Commander before retiring from the Air Force
in 1959 as a Command Pilot and full Colonel.
Julia: What inspired you to write this book?
What is it about?
Barbara: Colonel Evans was inspired to write
this book. He loved telling the stories, and felt there were lessons to be
learned, people to remember and most of all tales to tell… of the bravery of
the American military and their families at home during WWII.
With
humor, humility, and honesty, he shared personal lessons on perseverance,
loyalty, fairness, fear, and respect. He wrote with great detail, so one could
clearly imagine the scene as he described it.
As
the title implies, this book is both a coming-of-age
story with memories and lessons from home, as well as a WWII story with unique
adventures and experiences.
Julia: How did you research the information?
You mentioned your father was a storyteller. Did he like to write about his
experiences? Is the book written from your father's point of view?
Barbara: The 21 chapters my father wrote
between 1990 and 1993 are, the heart and soul of the book. Chapter drafts
were sent to family members, and we worked, commented, and encouraged him to
continue. Given that he was writing 50 years after the war, many memories were
frightfully clear, and some subconsciously blurred, but later drawn out.
Colonel
Evans told his stories from his point of view. His “voice” is very clear. These
are the stories of those whose names are known in history books, but also those
who are not known by name or who did not survive the war.
He
gathered personal letters, photos and many notes and references to add context
to his stories. He also compiled a humorous glossary of pilot’s vernacular. To
provide greater perspective and color to Colonel Evans’ book, we have included more research and additional archival
materials, including: a chronology of his life’s milestones and Second World
War details; an appendix of original family letters, V-Mail, commendations and
interesting documents, all primary sources that shed light on his fears,
reflections, and important personal and professional relationships.
My
father passed away 2006, and I vowed to bring the book to the public,
especially given the broad interest in General Bernard L. Montgomery, whom my
father flew.
I
had saved my father’s best finished chapters, but in 2008, my family and I lost
everything in the disastrous Santa Barbara Tea Fire. We thought his work was
gone.
However,
within months of the fire, my stepmother asked me to take some boxes, belonging
to my father out of storage in Los Angeles. Within the retrieved boxes, were
drafts and drafts of the chapters, plus Air Force records, photographs and
more. There was enough to get started… but the paper drafts and floppy disks
were a mess. I remember asking myself, “How are we going to do this?” and then
thought, “Just one page at a time.” And
so, my family and I began.
Julia: Would you like to share something that
you learned from your father's personal experiences?
Barbara: “Richard Eager,” was a young man with
the heart and humor of a young Eagle Scout coming of age in WWII. He was given
this nickname by his fellow pilot cadets for his over-eagerness, his gung-ho
attitude in everything he pursued.
One
of the most important life lessons that I learned from my father was he was
grateful. He shared his stories with remarkable optimism for the future and
with gratitude for his family, his life, and the experiences from which he
benefited.
Julia: What did you enjoy the most about
co-authoring “Richard Eager” a Pilot’s Story from Tennessee Eagle Scout to
General Montgomery’s “Flying fortress”?
Barbara: My family and I worked over ten years
to bring my father’s book to publication. The work was not every day of course,
but over the years. USA and UK archive research was continued from what my
father had provided. Iconic photographs that illuminated the stories, many from
family, were found and restored. Important facts about B-17, crew members, who
flew with Evans, were found, and added to the book. Editing the entire book,
including the assistance of a fine line editor, was most important. A skilled
designer, local publisher, printers and more added to the complexity of
publishing the book.
What
did I enjoy about being the co-author… a promise to self was fulfilled, a
beautiful book has been published, and this book has become a way to honor and
remember Colonel Richard E. Evans and those he hoped to recognize in his
chapters
Julia: Is there anything that you would like
to add about the book?"
Barbara: We happily learned this past spring
that “Richard Eager” A Pilot’s Story was given two silver medal finalist awards
by “The Next Generation Indie Book Awards” program. One award for
autobiography/Biography and one for Military. And
most importantly, 100% of the revenue from the books that are sold online and
in bookstores goes to the Air Force Aid Society to permanently endow an
educational scholarship in the name of Colonel Richard Ernest Evans.
The
selection of this charity for the Colonel Richard Ernest Evans Memorial Fund is
an ode to my father’s appreciation for everyone in the Air Force. At the end of
WWII, General Hap Arnold, who created the AFAS, gave a speech to “Thank all
those who fly and those who make flying possible.”
Julia: Can you tell me about the Air Force Aid
Society?
Barbara:
The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force founded
in 1942 by General Henry “Hap” Arnold and his wife, Bee. The Society is
dedicated to helping dependents of eligible Airmen and Guardians in three ways:
-Emergency assistance for families with financial needs
-Targeted community programs, such as
childcare, car upkeep, and spouse employment
-Education support with scholarships, grants
and loans made available to dependent children or spouses of Airmen and
Guardians, active or retired. Education grants are based on financial need. The
Endowed Colonel Richard Ernest Evans Memorial Fund, along with other donors,
financially support the General Arnold Education Grant Program. Since
launching in 1988 nearly $ 167 million dollars in Arnold education/ grants have
been awarded to 109,499 hopeful scholars.
After enjoying this intreview with Barbara Evans Kinnear, you may also be curious to check my writing on Wind, Sand and Stars a book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
