Where Are You?

A funny incident, funny incident. You’ve heard of the famous 99th Pursuit Group in the United States Air Force? I think it was the 99th Pursuit Group which was an all Black squadron, great reputation. And in Italy one day we were flying and in the same air space somewhere out there was the 99th Pursuit Group, flying, and we heard the conversation because they happened to be on the same frequency we were. And the voice came on and said, “Yellow Six, this be Yellow Blue Leada, get your ass up here your draggin’.” He was trying to get, you could, and nothing. Then finally the thing, “Yellow Leada speakin’ again, Yellow Blue Six I said get your ass up here your draggin’.” Words to that effect. Silence. Finally you hear, “Yellow Blue Leada, this be Yellow Blue Six, where ya all at?” The leader came back and says, “We be over hear.” The guy says, “Over here is a mighty big place.” We all nearly did flip spins at that time. But that was funny, that as hilar, the wording may not be exactly right but, and these fellas had a magnificent reputation you know. That’s a funny (inaudible).

Mr. Yarnell tells a funny story about the USAF 99th Pursuit Group, an all black and very much admired squadron.

Cyrill St. Clair (Cy) Yarnell

Mr. Yarnell was born August 9, 1920 in Carlow, Ireland. He moved to Canada when he was 8 years old. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940 at the age of 20. Mr Yarnell received his initial pilot training in Victoriaville, Quebec where he learned to fly the Fleet Finch, he then graduated on to the Harvard. He received flying instructor training in Trenton and trained pilots from many countries. After instructing for a year, Mr. Yarnell was sent overseas. He flew missions over North Africa, Italy and Germany and was involved in the battles at Liri Valley and Monte Cassino. Following the war, Mr. Yarnell continued with the RCAF, retiring in 1975 as a colonel. He is a member of the Air Force Association of Canada and is very active with the Air Force Museum in Trenton, Ontario. Mr. Yarnell and his wife, Phyllis, have three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.