Reed R. Clary
One of the American flight instructors interviewed in the "Flying Days of Riddle Field" was Reed R. Clary, who gained his flying experience as a very young man in Richmond Virginia.

Upon arriving at Riddle Field, Clewiston, Florida in March, 1943, at the age of 18, he was soon selected to attend flight instructor's school under command of the British Royal Air Force. Upon graduation from R.A.F. instructor's school at Riddle Field, he was assigned his first group of novice British students in late September 1943 flying Stearman primary trainers.During 1944, 1st officer Clary was promoted to the more advanced aircraft, the North American AT-6, and this training period now became the flying course before graduation and receiving their coveted R.A.F. wings.

Instructing mostly British and a few American pilots continuously from 1943 until the end of WWII, he was proud, at the age of 20, that every one of his many student cadets all received their wings and returned to England to serve their country.

At the end of the war and the closing of Riddle Field, he continued his career in aviation as an international airline captain flying worldwide and retired at age 60.

Very close contact has been maintained throughout the years with his former cadets and he attends the R.A.F. reunions of #5 B.F.T.S. in England every other year. There is much pride in having friendships that have lasted for nearly 60 years.