Born in the County of Norfolk, England, in 1928, Mick Dawson left Litcham Secondary Modern School at the age of 14 in December 1942. A wartime airfield for the American Army Air Force was under construction nearby and Mick got a job with the electrical contractor there as an apprentice. The 392nd BG group with their B-24s occupied the base from August 1943 to the end of the War in Europe. During that time, Mick had a front-row seat to life on the airfield and the habits of the “Yanks” that took up residence there. One memorable Christmas, the master sergeant of the Mess Hall showed Mick a Christmas Tree, but there were no lights! Mick was able to find the supplies to surprise the soldiers with an old-fashioned “Christmas Tree” with lights. Mick put his electrician skills to work and made Christmas magic for the homesick soldiers. The Master Sergeant returned the favor by showing up at Mick’s house with sugar, butter, tin fruit, and other rationed foods for Mick’s whole family. When the plans for D-Day were revealed, and the diagrams were still visible, Mick had to spend the night at the base because he had seen the plans! Although VE Day was in 1945, the British government retained a World War II state of emergency until 1948. Mick was drafted in 1946 and released in 1949 by the Royal Army Corps, eventually returning to Civil Service, from which he retired in 1988. Mick shares his first-person take on what life was like for a British teenager during the Second World War. He speaks for community groups and for the Palm Springs Air Museum. A docent since 2010, visitors have the pleasure of talking with Mick on Thursday mornings inside the European Hangar. Thank you for being a part of our 2025 Gala.