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Calvin Rains was born in Stigler, OK to Arch Rains, a sharecropper.
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As a child, Calvin picked cotton. He remembered it well and said, "I don't suppose anyone ever really enjoyed picking cotton in the old way. You put a sack on your back with a strap around your shoulder to pull the sack. As a child your sack was only 6 or so feet long. As you grew older it would be 12 or more feet. Bending over to pick, you pulled the sack behind you and put cotton in it."
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Calvin's father decided his family would be better off in California. The family sold everything at an auction, bought a car with the money and drove to California. Calvin and his family lived with his uncle. This home was the first time the family had electricity.
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Pearl Harbor was bombed on Sunday morning. Calvin and his family were getting ready to go to church when they heard it on the radio.
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Video: Roosevelt Declaration of War Address The next day at school, there was an assembly in the gym of Calvin's high school. The students listened as President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war. A big section of Calvin's senior class joined the Marine Corp that day. Calvin didn't join so he could graduate school.
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On Calvin's 18th birthday, he traveled to Los Angeles and began taking a series of written and physical tests to become a Naval Aviator.
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Calvin's Navy Pilot training included initial training in Prescott, AZ, civilian pilots training at New Mexico State Teachers College, training in Monteray, CA, pilot training in Norman, OK. In Pensacola, FL he attended the Naval Academy for flight and officer training. Upon graduation he received his wings and grade of Lt. During his Daytona Beach pilot training he flew the F6F Hellcat.
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Calvin earned his first solo wings during Navy Training in Prescott AZ.
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Calvin received flight and officer training at Pensacola Naval Academy. Upon graduation he received his pilot wings and grade of Lieutenant.
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USS Monterey Calvin received orders to go to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Saipan. From there he was assigned to the USS Monterey.
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The Final Strikes on Japan Calvin was on his last mission to sink ships in the bay of Kure off the coast of Japan when his plane was shot by enemy fire. He was able fly back to the ship but crashed upon landing. He was rescued from the burning plane by the Monterey crew.
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Calvin recovered from injuries aboard the Monterey and resumed flying a few days later. Calvin was later awarded the Purple Heart.
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Calvin was awarded the Air Medal.
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After the war, Calvin arrived in New York and re-entered civilian life. He returned to Califorina and enrolled in St. Mary's College in Berkeley.
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Calvin served in the Navy Reserves.
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Calvin was ordained as a minister and began serving as a pastor in Oklahoma.
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Calvin returned to California to serve as a pastor from 1950 - 1951.
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Oklahoma Baptist University
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Golden Gate Baptist Seminary
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Calvin re-enlisted in the Navy as a Chaplain in the Korean War.
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Southeastern Seminary Wake Forest, NC
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Southeastern Seminary Wake Forest, NC
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Calvin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had surgery at Duke University Medical Center followed by intensive cancer treament.
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Calvin passed away in his home with his family by his side. He was survied by his wife, 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 3 great children,
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House Joint Resolution No. 5131 The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate passed a House Joint Resolution celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Rains, Sr.
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Calvin Rains was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
