Darrel H. Stearns
I was a co-pilot to Carl while he served as Aircraft Commander on B-29s during WWII, beginning with crew training at Clovis, NM. I had just earned my 4-engine pilot rating in B17s and felt very lucky for the assignment to the new pressurized high-altitude plane with turbo-charged engines. And lucky too to be assigned to the crew of an experienced pilot and former flight instructor whose wings had been earned at movie fabled Randolph Field in Texas. But the B-29 turned out to have been prematurely rushed into production. Many engine changes and close calls later after the Leighty crew left the States and then finally flew over the signing of the Peace on the battleship Missouri, with no loss of life on the Leighty crew, we knew to a man that each owed his life to the flying skills of pilot Leighty. And there was a bonus--Carl's lovely wife Eileen who from the first became the crew Mom and then kept in contact with families while the crew was overseas.
After the war, as we pursued our separate careers I lost touch with the Leighty's, until Carl was posted to the Pentagon and we met in Northern Virginia. That started a 45-year comradeship as we visited back and forth. During that time those of us still living put together a crew history which was deposited at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, CT, in a museum built to exclusively honor our 58th Wing. The 58th served in India and China before transfer to Tinian in the Western Pacific where they continued their assault against Japan with others from the newly captured Marianas Islands. The museum has a B-29 plane and many excellent exhibits and records and is well worth visiting.
On the occasion of just completing the donation of my military records, and flight suit, and other items, and a $100. gift honoring Carl, and my attempt to then tell him, that I learned to my consternation of his passing. I so hope that Eileen will know that Martha and I share her loss and wish her comfort. Carl was truly a great guy. Darrel Stearns, 4800 Fillmore Ave, Apt 357 Alexandria, VA 22311.
