During World War II civilian volunteers on the home front watched the skies for enemy aircraft around large cities and ports and in remote areas as well. Spotters in the Pacific Northwest saw planes more frequently than spotters in other areas did. Here is a firsthand account of the activity at an Oregon watchtower. The author, Frederick Simpich, interviewed the spotters who were on duty and published his account in the October 1942 issue of National Geographic Magazine.

On a wooded Oregon hilltop we came to a high tower. Up in its lookout box were three high school girls with telephone and binoculars.

"We're aircraft watchers," they said. "The Army appoints a chief aircraft observer and he names us local spotters. There are 200 in this area; each one serves free, a few hours a week...