Pete Maimone flew a P-38 during World War II. He was the Monterey Park Historical Society’s guest speaker on November 3 at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.

The Historical Society, the library and the American Legion Post 397 sponsored this event.

Veterans from several wars joined in audience to hear all about Pete Maimone’s journey from civilian to a pilot in the U S Army during World War II.

Members of the post presented the colors at the beginning of the event.

Librarian Cindy Costales welcomed everyone to this special event honoring our veterans. 9% of veterans live in California and more veterans will live here in the future. She thanks the veterans from the American Legion and the Historical Society for their support of this event. It is wonderful to make history come alive for the students. There is an exhibit on the main floor of the library of military uniforms and articles to celebrate the veterans this month.

She introduced Councilmember Peter Chan, City Clerk Vince Chang, Library Boardmember Phil Smith and Library supporter Paul Perez.

Peter Chan said it is important to learn from history as history repeats itself. He wants peace for all and hopes to prevent World War III.

1st Vice President of the Historical Society Mary Louise Uranga introduced Pete Maimone to the audience. She thanked the veterans and the audience for attending this event.

Mr. Maimone provided a picture of his father a veteran of World War I and some of his uniform for the guests to view.

He stated that his father has just emigrated from Sicily to be drafted to serve in Europe in the war. He was a private in the U S Army.

Mr. Maimone had his Army uniform and flight suit on display.

He said he was here to honor all of the veterans. We celebrate the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This war ended on November 11, 1918.

Mr. Maimone stated that his father signed the paperwork for him to fight in World War II. All of the young men wanted to fight in this war. He enlisted on December 14, 1942. He wanted to fly so he went to flight school in Iowa to learn to fly small airplanes. He was sent to Santa Ana for his Air Force training after lengthily testing.

He spoke about the different planes he flew in training at different bases before he graduated on March 12, 1944 as a fighter pilot in the Army Air Corps.

Mr. Maimone was a member of the 1st Flying Group, the 71st Fighter Squad made famous by Eddie Rickenbacker, a World War I flying ace.

He was stationed in Italy and flew 13 missions bombing railroads, supply lines and bridges that supplied the Italian and German armies.

He spoke about the feelings of isolation in the planes since they had no way to communicate except to follow the flight leaders on each mission.

Some of the P-38 pilots escorted President Roosevelt’s ship on the way to the Yalta Conference and back.

The P-38 was unique. They are the top planes for the Ace flyers who flew over the South Pacific.

Two P-38 pilots shot Japanese Marshal Admiral Yamamoto, the commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet during World War II, out of the sky. He was the commander who planned the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Mr. Maimone shared pictures of various planes and took questions from the floor.

Mrs. Costales thanked Mr. Maimone for sharing his adventures with the audience. She thanked everyone for their participation and invited them to enjoy the refreshments.