 To the army he would be known as Francisco Mercado Jr.He completed primary flight training in a Ryan PT-22 with 60 hours (28 solo) on October 27, 1942 and basic flight training in a Vultee BT-13 with 58 hours (21 solo) and was sent to dual engine advanced pilot training at Williams Field, Arizona in January, 1943.After graduation, his class was to go into either the B-26 or night fighters.