After finishing two years of college, Bounds decided to enlist in the army instead of continuing his education or pursuing a spouse and starting a family. He traveled to the state capitol, Jackson, and enlisted. He joined the regular Army which included nurses, officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men. He went to the Air Corps branch of the United States Army.
Training Camps & Early Stations
Bounds went into the US Army and went to Coleman Primary Flying School which is located in Randolph Field in Coleman County, Texas. His service number was O-659645, and he was in class 42 - D. Class 42-D completed the “stream-lined pilot training” in record time. His grade was First Aviation Cadet once he graduated in February of 1942.
After graduation, he was stationed in Foster Air Force Base in Foster, Texas. Next, Bounds was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia in at the Naval Station Norfolk base from May 8th, 1942 to October 1st 1942.Later, he joined the 58th Fighter Squadron and 33rd Fighter Group.
58th Fighter Squadron
The 58th Fighter Squadron served in the North African Front in World War II. They served in the attack on Morocco, combat operations in the Mediterranean Theatre, and operations in central Tunisia. They were nicknamed "The Gorillas" for their guerrilla style of combat. The squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation for their work in central Tunisia.