Page 14 - Aerotech News and Review, Sept. 7 2018

High Desert Hangar Stories
The Flying Greek, Part Two
by Bob Alvis
special to Aerotech News
skills. Steve Pisanos was one of those pilots, and answered the call when the United States asked for his services in
citizen.”
On May 3, 1943, after a day of flying
in his newly-acquired P-47 Thunderbolt, Lieutenant Pisanos was a bit worried when he was greeted by his command- ing officers, who picked him up and drove him to their headquarters build- ing. Fearing that the Greek government in exile had gone to the U.S. Embassy to ask for his release from the U.S. Army Air Corps, he entered a room with ner- vous expectations.
As the phone was handed to him, he was told the U.S Ambassador was on the line. “Yes Sir, Mr. Ambassador” he said nervously. “Lieutenant, how would you like to become an American citizen to- day?” “Yes Sir!” he responded. “It would be a pleasure and a great honor. But Sir, I thought I had to wait until the war was over and return to America for this?” “No,” said the ambassador, “we are go- ing to make you an American right here today, so you’d better hurry down to London right now!”
It seems that 2nd Lt. Steve Pisanos had impressed many higher ups dur- ing his combat time. A promise to have Washington look into expediting him into the ranks of American citizens fell on the desk of the INS and, in a first-ever event of its type, that day in London a
See GREEK, Page 15
This week, we pick up again with the the cockpit.
story of Steve Pisanos, a Greek national On Sept. 29, 1942, pilot and newly- who trained at Lancaster’s War Eagle minted 2nd Lt. Pisanos stood on a field Field before heading over to England to in Debden, England, to say good-by to fly for the Allies during World War II. his Eagle Squadron days, as three Ea-
Knowing that all work and no play could lead to a serious case of the “blahs” for our boys at War Eagle’s Polaris Flight Academy, officials of Lancaster High School and Junior Col- lege opened up their gymnasium for the Eagle Squadron refresher students, giv- ing them the chance to blow off some steam playing basketball. The fellows would hit the gym every Monday night, and really had some hot battles with the local talent in Lancaster. The first night at the gym, Pisanos “the Greek” had his first crack at the game. It was mutually agreed by all present that he had best stick to flying!
Squadron 16, which was tuning up for war at War Eagle Field, had many accomplished pilots who had already flown combat in England while mem- bers of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Knowing that before long America would be fighting in those skies over Europe, many Eagle Squadron pilots would soon find themselves choosing between two countries looking for their
gle Squadrons were being transferred to the United States Army Air Corps. He remembered the speeches that day, but none stood out more than the words of Gen. Carl Spaatz, commanding gen- eral of the U.S. Army Air Forces in the European Theater, when he said, “The operational experience of the Eagle Squadrons is a most valuable asset to the fighter units of the American air force. I welcome you with great sincerity.” But Steve had one small problem: he was not an American citizen and his flying status could be in jeopardy.
As Steve stood before three colonels in a small room, the question was asked, “Are you an American citizen?” “No sir I am not.” “Do you intend to return to the United States to live after the war?” “Sir, even though I’m not an American citizen, I wish with all my heart to join with the American air force and fight the Germans for America alongside my friends. My ultimate desire, Sir, is to return to the United States if I survive this conflict and become an American
Courtesy photograph
Dr. Henry Hazard, special emissary from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, administers the oath of allegiance as Steve Pisanos became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
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September 7, 2018