Leon Spencer graduated as a glider pilot from South Plains Army Air Field, Lubbock, Texas in February 1943, Class 43-4.  After surviving an aircraft accident in September 1943 he became an instructor glider pilot at Sedalia, Missouri, and Blytheville, Arkansas, both First Troop Carrier Command  bases.  

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1964 and Motorola, Inc. in 1988, Spencer has devoted much of his time researching and writing technical papers on the Waco CG-4A combat glider.  Most of his research has been in collaboration with Charles L. Day, author of Silent Ones - WWII Invasion Glider Test  and Experiment, published in 2001.  

Spencer compiled a book, History of the 26th Mobile Reclamation and Repair Squadron.  The 26th Mobile Reclamation and Repair Squadron was based at Crookham Common, England, during World War II. The 26th was the unit in the United Kingdom  that assembled most of the gliders used in the major Allied invasions, including the Normandy invasion on 6 June 1944.    

Researchers may contact Leon Spencer at 105 Bryan Street, Prattville, Alabama 36066-5340, or by e-mail at lbspencer@charter.net.      

Both books are for sale in the Museum Store.