Lucier Trained in Dalhart Texas

POWER FLIGHT TRAINING PROCEEDED GLIDER TRAINING
Sylvan Lucier was in the first or second group of glider pilots to be trained in the US Army Air Force early in 1942. Much would change for those trained later. He first attended primary flight training and it was after earning his wings for power flight that he enrolled in glider flying school. Clearly, aviation was his love even before Pearl Harbor. Fargo North Dakota had its share of stunt pilot shows. A family story is that there was a scrapbook kept about early aviation accidents. Was it Sylvan's, or did his father begin the collection after Sylvan's death? Was it prophetic or an obsession? The scrapbook did not survive the dismantling of the family home. Certainly Sylvan, considered an "old man" for enlisting at age 26, knew the hazards ahead of him.

Ed Landell, Sylvan Lucier, Ben Grobman, Keaton McCarty

A PILOT'S FRIENDS
The photograph shows friends of Sylvan:
"Just some of the boys."
Ed (Edward E.) Landell, Sylvan Lucier (in background), Ben Grobman, and Keaton McCarty.

Sylvan Lucier and Tony Colaccino

AN ITALIAN IN ITALY
"This is Tony with me. He is in my tent over here by the way."
Sylvan and Tony (Anthony) Colaccino. The picture was taken in Dalhart, Texas, but sent from Africa where they were tent mates. Early in my research, in 1997, I spoke with the widow of Tony Colaccino. Unfortunately I was about a year too late. She described a fellow who enjoyed the same things Sylvan enjoyed, like dancing, but he did not write letters as Sylvan did, preferring to use the phone. Tony enjoyed speaking Italian and dining with the Italians and was reprimanded more than once for "socializing with the enemy".
I would greatly appreciate learning anything I can about the pilots who worked in Africa with my uncle. Please contact me if you have information or are descendents: eanephew AT aol DOT com

Sylvan Lucier in Advanced Glider Training

This is Sylvan Lucier in Advanced Glider Training in Dalhart, Texas.
It is possible the other pictures also were taken in Texas. However, they could also have come from Laurenburg/Maxton Airbase in North Carolina. All five pilot friends joined the 49th Squadron of the 313 TCG and went by ship to Africa. Later they all flew CG 4A gliders into Holland. However, four were still with the 49th, but Sylvan was then in the 36th SQ of the 316 TGC. All four must have returned safely home as I have not found their names on a Role of Honor.

Glider Pilot Lucier, early 1942

FROM POWER TO SILENT WINGS
Was it his intention to be a power pilot? That is likely. However, a letter to his mother a year later in Africa said that he had chronic high blood pressure and although he did not wear glasses in the military, he expected he would again wear them in civilian life. Recently, the youngest brother in the family, Tom Lucier, told me that Sylvan put a few planes down a bit roughly. If that was so, he was quick to begin sailplane training with civilian soaring trainers.
I will soon be posting places and dates where Sylvan trained and the pictures of planes and gliders he trained with.
Sylvan did not train with the combat gliders flown in Europe until later, perhaps at Laurenburg/Maxton Air Base. I am not certain, but based on when he went to Africa, (April 1943) he might have flown as co-pilot in Africa on supply missions. Others with the history of the 49th Squadron of the 313 Troop Carrier Group might be able to help me with that.

Monument Design/Brief History

The monument for the grave site of Sylvan R. Lucier and his parents, Eva and Delphis Lucier,was installed in Holy Cross Cemetery, Fargo, North Dakota in June 2006. The design was chosen by Sylvan's niece, Anne Hilber Nephew, with the blessing of Tom Lucier, the remaining sibling of Sylvan, and another niece, Virginia (Barbara) Deibert, who lovingly cares for the grave sites.
The front of the monument has a rosary on the top left. According to Sylvan's brother, Lannie, Eva Lucier gave each of her sons a black rosary when they left for the army. On the top right side is a red flag with five stars which was displayed in the Lucier's front window. Sylvan was the fourth son in his family to enlist (he would not have been drafted), which explains the four blue stars. If a soldier died a gold star was fixed over the blue star. In Sylvan's case the gold star was pinned to one side because after his death the fifth son graduated from high school and enlisted.
On the back of the monument is etched the WACO CG 4A glider ( tail number 43-41701) that he flew in the Market Garden mission to liberate Holland. The Waco Air Museum sent me photographs to guide our art work.
The places Sylvan served are printed across the base. In February 1943 Sylvan left Laurinberg/Maxton Air Base where he was with the 374 Troup Carrier Group to join the 313 TCG, 49th Squadron to served in Africa and Sicily.
In April, 1944, he was assigned to the 316 TCG, 36th SQ for invasion preparations in England. As a glider pilot trainer he also flew the British Horsa glider and thus was given a temporary assignment in th 438 TCG, 88th SQ to bring men and equipment into Normandy on June 6. His drop zone was the Ste Mere-Eglise area.
On September 18, Sylvan flew a CG 4A glider, without a co-pilot, that landed near Groesbeek, Holland. Less than a month later he and two others died in an accident flying double tow near Tiffield, Northamptonshire, England.
More details, documents and photographs will be posted in the future, as well as details of his year training in the US.
Anne Hilber Nephew
eanephew@aol.com

Burial Site in Fargo, North Dakota