Frank Armstrong had the distinction of serving as the role model for the bestselling novel, movie, and television series, "Twelve O'Clock High." Although a professional baseball player, he gave up the diamond for the cockpit in 1929. He flew a variety of aircraft over the next decade, and in 1942 joined the Eighth Air Force, first as an operations officer at headquarters and then as a bomb group commander. He led his group on the first American B17 strike of the war against the Axis (Rouen on 17 August 1942), and in January 1943 led his group again for the first American mission against a target inside Germany. It was these experiences that led to his portrayal as Brig Gen Frank Savage. After tours stateside, Armstrong returned to combat as a B29 wing commander in the Pacific. Following the war he taught at the Armed Forces Staff College, commanded a base, an air division, and a numbered air force, and in 1956 pinned on his third star to take over Alaskan Command. Believing his command was being shortchanged in defense matters, he retired in anger in 1961.
Armstrong wrote two memoirs. The first was a diary recounting his experiences in the Eighth Air Force titled, "So Near Heaven, Surrounded by Hell." The style is a bit breathless and exuberant, but his intent is to memorialize the brave bomber crews who fought over Germany against heavy odds. His description of the mission over Wilhemshaven in 1943-the first for the B17s against a target in Germany-is especially interesting.
After retirement Armstrong wrote his life story, "Awake the Sleeping Giant." Like his first effort, this has not been published, and both manuscripts are located in the library of East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. (Copies of "So Near Heaven" are also located in the archives at Maxwell Air Force Base and the Air Force Academy.)
Disclaimer
The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.
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