1941 - Red was working for his brother who owned a Filling Station in Kansas City, KS. He was dating Mary Jo.

December 1941 - Red enlists in the Army Air Force hoping to be an airplane mechanic.

April 1942 - Red is thrilled to graduate from Mechanics School in Dallas, TX.

June 1942 - Starts Preflight School as an enlisted man. His dream of flying the big birds is coming true!

November 1942 - Red graduates from Preflight School in San Antonio, TX.

June 1943 - Red graduates from Primary Flight School, Fort Worth, TX. Gains nickname "Wild Red."

June 30, 1943 - Robert Joseph Reiling (Red) marries Mary Jo Walsh in Kansas City, KS. see WAR PHOTOS.

July 1943 - Red trains to fly the B-17 in Columbus, OH.

September 1943 - Red is assigned to the 58th Wing, test flying and training on the B-29 Superfortress.

April 1944 - Red, in his B-29, FU-KEMAL (see WAR PHOTOS), opens orders after takeoff, for India.

Jun 15, 1944 - Red's Squadron launches from Chengdu, China to bomb Yawata Japan's Iron and Steel Works. (679thBS)

August 13, 1944 - Robert's first child is born, Robert Joseph Reiling.

January 1945 - The 444th Bombardment Group shifted from China to the new bases in the Marianas Islands. (676th BS)

August 13, 1945 - Red arrives home to Kansas city, KS on his son's first birthday.