Boy of 8 Qualifies as Army Plane Spotter,

Keeping Two Watches Weekly With Pals, 12

December 14, 1942

New York Times

Youngest observer Everett Pfeiffer Jr.

         MIDDLE ISLAND, L. I. Dec. 13- Everett Pfeiffer Jr., 8 years old, is the most recent member of the Pfeiffer family to qualify for the Army Aircraft Warning Service at the post established on Rainbow Ranch, Middle Country Road, this village.  He, with Joseph Carrabus and William Ferguson, both 12, hold down a regular shift.  He has won particular commendation from Mrs. Donald Ferguson, chief observer. Formal presentation of Everett’s Army identification card was made last Tuesday night at the East Middle Island School.

            The boy is one of sixteen members of the Pfeiffer family serving as spotters. Included in the group are his parents, who conduct the general store in the community, and three of his grandparents, as well as uncles, aunts and cousins.  Now he is working for his regulation armband.

            The boy became interested in the spotters’ work last Summer when he watched Joe and Bill turn in an Army flash.  He studied the planes carefully and eventually was admitted to regular shifts.  Mrs. Ferguson said he has become as proficient as other spotters, and recommended that he be accepted by the Army in an official capacity.

            Nor will it take long before Everett has earned his armband. He and his two friends are doing two two-hour shifts each week.  A total of seventy-five hours is required, and he already has forty to his credit.  His work at the post does not conflict with his studies, his father said.

            The boy is in the fourth grade of the Middle Island School and is exceptionally good in mathematics, although he gets high marks in nearly all subjects.  In addition, he is a good Sunday school pupil, and attends the Middletown Presbyterian Church at Middle Island, regularly.  The pastor of the church, the Rev. William Stewart, is chief air raid warden of the community and his wife, Mrs. Eva Stewart is a plane spotter.

            As a hobby, Everett has taken to making model planes, according to his father, who is as much interested as the boy.

            “He has not reached the stage where he is making flying models. But he does turn out fine block models,” he said.  “Later on he’ll make flying models.  We all encourage him in this work because we know how useful it is.  The boy knows many types of planes by sight, both American and foreign, from the books he studies.  He makes a game of it. I show him silhouettes, and he names them. He’s right most of the time.

            Mr. Pheiffer admits that his son is a better spotter than the older folks in the family. In addition to Everett’s father and mother, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Farron Sr., and Edward Pfeiffer, the latter 74, have regular shifts on the tower.

Typed by Holly Hutter