31ST FIGHTER VETERANS

31ST FIGHTER VETERANS "FLIGHT LINE" (Formerly the"Three-O-Eighter") A publication for and about former members of the original 31st Fighter Group formed in July, 1941; its Headquarters, 307th, 308th, and 309th Fighter Squadrons, and successor organizations. During the 31st Fighter Group's ETO tour from June, 1942 thru July, 1945 its Fighter Squadrons together achieved the highest number of aerial victories in the Mediterranean theater with a combined total of 571. The 31st Fighter Groups pilots flew Spitfires in the 8th AF in England, the 12th Air Force in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy; and P-51 Mustangs in the 15th Air Force. Thirty-three (33) of the 31st's pilots became "Aces". The 31st Fighter was the first: American fighters in England; to operate in ETO; to destroy an enemy aircraft; AAF Fighter Group in action in Algeria, Malta, and Sicily; to land in Italy; had the only AAF unit at Anzio; and the first AAF Group to operate with P-51 Mustangs in MTO. The 31ST FIGHTER "RETURNED WITH HONOR".

SHORTY HAWKINS KNEW HIS MEN: 309'er LeRoy Marsh gives this account of a story he heard in North Africa. Some General told Col. Hawkins, when he was CO of the 31st Fighter, it might have been in England, or in the States, that he had a "funny looking" bunch of men. Anyway, Col Hawkins is credited with replying, "They may be "funny looking" to you, but they're the best damn ground crew in the Air Force!"

RALPH APPLE, 309TH, JUNE 18, '93: In regard to the status of the active 31st Fighter Wing. The 1993 USAF Almanac has the Wing split up with part stationed at McDill AFB, Tampa, FL and part at Shaw AFB, SC. When the cuts in defense come I look for the 31st to be high on the list to go. What a shame!

Ed: DOD recently announced they will rebuild Homestead AFB... no word on which USAF units will be assigned there

ABOUT "FLIGHT LINE": In June I sent a copy of the April '93 "FLIGHT LINE" to 41 active reunion members of the 307th, and 37 active reunion members of the 309th. I invited them to become subscribers and to submit articles of interest. 14 have already done so.

307TH STATUS & BS BOARD

PETE CAPELLO, JUNE 26, 1993: Pete phoned to say he enjoyed the "Flight Line" very much but found a mistake in the "Certified True Copy" of the 31st Dist Unit Citation... Your'e right Pete, April 21, 1941 is a mistake on the "certified" copy sent me by Bob Gallagher and I should have caught it. I'm sure the correct date is April 21, 1944. We were probably still at Selfridge Field in April 1941. I'm sorry guys... please correct your copy. Pete & I talked about old times at Selfridge, Louisiana maneuvers, Pearl Harbor, submarine patrol in Washington, and our combat tour in ETO. Pete was a crew chief/mechanic in 307. He will send a check for "Flight Line". l'll look forward to visiting with you again soon Pete. Send me some of those stories!

DON C. HARRINGTON, JUNE 28, 1993: Thank for the complimentary copy of the April issue of "FLIGHT LINE". I read it from cover to cover. I noticed that

you did not have a squadron insignia for the 307th on the cover sheet, so am enclosing one that you might be able to use to complete the cover. I think you people have a good idea to include all veterans of the 31ST Fighter Group into one organization, as we all have friends throughout the entire group.

I also am enclosing my check for membership in the 31ST FIGHTER VETERANS "FLIGHT LINE".

I was looking through some old photos and memorabilia and ran across the menu that we had when we were in the 94th Squadron, for the 1939 Christmas dinner. Maybe that'll bring back some old memories. (Good chow).(Ed's note: I helped fix that dinner but didn't eat it. I was on KP from Nov. 21- Dec. 22, then went on an 8 day pass, stretched to 11 days by wk-end+holidays and got back to Selfridge on Jan 2nd.)

I found this photo, taken in front of the 94th Barracks. For the life of me I cant think of the fourth man . My guess is George Bailey or maybe you, Elmer. It's been a long time, baby. Glad to hear from you and looking forward to receiving the next issue. (Ed: Not me... see photo, likely Bailey)

FAYE SALLEE, JUNE 15, '93: (Ed: I got a roster of 307th people a couple years ago and had phoned Luther Sallee's Midwest City No. a few times but got no answer. Luther's wife Faye answered last week, and we talked about Luther and the 307th FS, their reunions, etc.. Luther had graduated from HS and put in 2 years of college. He enlisted in the Air Corps in 1941 two days after Pearl Harbor. He was a Radio Technician and NCO in the Communications Section. After his discharge from the service in the summer of 1945 Luther took training and became a licensed plumber. Faye and Luther were married in 1947 and have two children and five grandchildren. He worked as an Estimator for

the same Company for over 25 years, retiring in 1982. After 12 years of fighting emphysema Luther died Sept. 15, 1992.

BILL LOCKE, JUNE 25, 1993: Bill said he enjoyed our newsletter "Flight Line" and will be a subscriber. He also wanted to be sure I knew about their upcoming September, 1993 reunion in Wichita. (See Reunions)

CHARLES A. O'ROURKE, JUNE 29, 1993: Many thanks for sending me a copy of "Flight Line", it really stirred some dormant memories. I applaud your efforts to unify communications among surviving 31st veterans. Time is running out and I am afraid that too little has been done to date to sufficiently record the remarkable accomplishments of the 31st and its historical contributions to US victories in the Mediterranean.

I served 34 months overseas with the 31st, first with 307th in supply and Tech Supply, transferring to Hq Squadron in Sicily and remaining with them until returning to the States.

It has been several years since I attended my second 307th enlisted Men's reunion. (Editors Note: The 308th does not differentiate between enlisted and officer veterans) They've been holding them annually for some years. Pete Cappello was the driving force toward having these affairs. I've maintained contact with this 307th bunch‑‑‑but haven't managed to attend recently.

In 87 I attended a Memorial dedication held at Chichester England mostly attended by officers, and pilots. It was a grand affair! You may recall we had operated from several airfields there; Tangmere, Merston, and I think West Hampnett. (?) There were some 60 or more veterans in attendance along with spouses and family.

I maintained a diary of sorts during my time overseas and I'll

endeavor to give you some excerpts from time to time that I think may be of interest. I also have a copy of the "History of the 31st Fighter Group, a fine piece of work by R.G. Lamensdorf, an officer of either the 308th or 309th Squadron. (Ed's note: Major(R) Rolland G. Lamendorf, 308 Squadron Intelligence, then Executive Officer during ETO tour.)

I am enclosing a copy of a press release that I had typed for the Group PR0 Captain Slutsky at the time of the invasion of Sicily. if you have room for it, it may be of interest to your readers. I retain an original copy I made at the time now yellowed and fragile.

I enclose a check for---dollars two years subscription and a contribution. Again, my sincere appreciation for contacting me and for your hard work and dedication! Sincerely, (Signed) Charley

Ed: Thanks Charley for your letter, check and article... I was on that Sicily beachhead ... some of the Italians surrendered to us!-- Send me more.)

WILLIAM J. "BILL" TREST, 30 JUNE, 1993: Thanks for the news letter. Enjoyed it very much. Sorry you don't have much on the 307th. We had our reunion here on the coast in '91. Tried to find my summary to send but guess it got lost. ------1993 reunion info----I was in OKC last fall and again last month the Anzio Beach Head Group. I noted on your cover you show 8th, 12th, and 15th AF. I thought we were in the 9th AF for awhile when we first got to N. Africa. I know we were in the Desert AF for a while after we met up with Montgomery in Tunisia because I kept one of those patches for a time. ---- Will there be a 31st Group Reunion this year? (s) Bill Trest

CLEM BARENBRUGGE, JULY 3, 1993: Enjoyed the copy of "Flight Line" even though 307th didn't have much in it. (Ed: This one should be better... 307th input helps!) I started with the 31st at Ft. Wayne, then New Orleans and to England with Hq's Sqdn. When Hq. broke up I went to 307th. Have attended 307th reunions when possible, and am hoping to make Wichita. Enclosing a check for

"Flight Line" and would like the back issues. Bill me for the cost.

307TH MEMBERS: Here are the most recent addresses I have of active members. I am very grateful for your prompt responses and compliments on "Flight Line". I look forward to publishing your stories and information for other veterans of the 31st FG. Please advise me of member status changes.

308TH STATUS & BS BOARD

W.E. ANDERSON, MARCH 1993: Andy sent info for the "Job-Rank" roster incl. copies of our "overseas" orders. Thanks! Met Bob Goebel at an air show the week before we came north.

JACK FIDLER, MAR 22, 1993: "I, like you, get busy in the summer time. We still have about 12" of snow but it will be gone before long and then it's paint the house, do the lawn, some gardening, and fishing whenever possible. Chinook salmon will be in the rivers in 56 days"... Take care, Jeannette & Jack. (Ed: My next door neighbor will probably have phoned you even before you get this. He is in AK on a fishing trip. Had I known about it earlier I might have visited you and Jeanette and maybe got to fish with you!)

WHY'D BILL WALKER SEND ME A BRICK?: One day this spring, I guess it was in April, this heavy little package comes in the mail from Bill & Laura Walker. Whenever I get a surprise like that I drive Helen nuts because I won't open it until I think I've figured out what's in the package. This was about the size and weight of a brick. That's all I could come up with so I slit one side and took off the wrapper paper. Inside was a block of styrofoam! "Can't be", I said., "Styrofoam's not that heavy." Then I saw the tape around the block and knew it was only protection for something inside, which turned out

to be... a bottle of Bill's spring batch of maple syrup! That styrofoam was

molded to fit the bottle. A simple, economical, and safe means of mailing bottled liquid. Thanks Bill & Laura... your maple syrup is delicious!

ROLLAND LAMENSDORF, "LAM", APRIL 30,1993: I really appreciate and enjoy reading your newsletter. It is so good that I read it twice. On page 14 you listed two members of the 309th with the first name "Rolland". That is my first name and I don't think I have seen that name as a given first name more than 5 or 6 times in my eighty-one years. (Ed: Thanks Lam, for the kind words... coming from a "real" writer and author of the excellent "HISTORY OF THE 31ST FIGHTER GROUP", I am both honored and encouraged. Thanks also for the input on Herb Beumer. I will write the "Special" article on him for the Oct '93 issue, so c'mon guys, send in your stories about Herb. NOW!!!

CLARENCE SHAFER, MAY 12, 1993: Good to hear from you and to get the "Flight Line". Enjoyed the contributions from all the guys. Sorry, thought I had paid up at the Dayton reunion, (check enclosed). (Ed: Clarence, my records show you did pay $7 at Dayton and the code on your label reads 0494. Now this check will change it to 0496, (April 1996).

When I visited my Bro-in-Law this spring he rubbed me about not ever receiving a "Thank You" note or anything for the 308th hang up banner he painted for us. If you have a minute drop him a thank you note for his contribution. Richard Harvan, Rte 6 Den Mar Court, Greensburg, PA 15601.

(Ed: Clarence, I'd be happy to send Richard a thank you note if I knew the story on the banner. If we're talking about that "Welcome Buddies" banner someone told me at an earlier reunion that it was painted by Chris Christenson for a reunion held in Milwaukee years ago. When I talked with Chris about it, he said he didn't remember anything about painting a banner like that... must have been someone else. Does one of you former reunion hosts owe a "thank you" note to Richard?)

I had a slight stroke some time ago and it has affected my memory and my spelling. Makes me mad as hell that I can't say a word or someone's name sometimes and then other times I can. Millie sometimes corrects me when I use the wrong word and don't even realize it. Guess old age is collecting up on me... I'll be 76 May 30. That's just a boy according to my Father at 95 and his Father who was 89. We're looking forward to seeing you in OKC in '94.

There is a small change in my address: Clarence & Millie Shafer, 6001 S. Kings Hwy. Unit 313, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575. (803) 238-8668

GEORGE BUSHICK, MAY 26: Just calling to give you a report on the great reunion of Cadet Class 43E at Randolph, and a wonderful get-together of 31st pilots at Bill Shelton's the next day. My knee joint replacement and hip "patch" are doing OK, but my orthopedic surgeon is leaving San Antonio area so don't know now about that other knee! Time will tell.

HELEN ANN QUINT JUNE 3, 1993: Al is now home from triple by-pass surgery after only 6 days. He has responded extremely well and is getting around real fine. He has an anticipated 8 week recovery schedule, but I'm sure he will do it in a lot less. We send our Thanks to everyone for the prayers and concern... we do appreciate it. Al & Helen.

MALCOLM & MARTHA CADE JUNE 2, 1993: Upon returning from overseas in 1945, Malcom settled in Atlanta, Georgia and became a manufacturer's agent of automotive equipment, representing Bear Manufacturing Company for 30 years,

the FMC for 10 years. Malcolm married in 1946 and he and his wife, Martha, have a son and daughter and a ten year old granddaughter. They are very fortunate as their children live in the metropolitan area of Atlanta. He has raised and showed Tennessee Walking Horses. Malcolm has had several strokes, the first in 1988, and they have forced him to slow down considerably, which meant retiring completely. At the time of his first stroke he had 17 horses.

Due to the strokes, he has a hard time with speech and expressing himself but would love to hear from any of the fellows who would write.

(Ed: The telephone would probably be difficult for him)

He enjoys the Newsletter and reading about old comrades. His big outlet now is his trips three times a week for his aerobics in water exercise.

Dear Martha: I'm sure I speak for all our readers in saying, "Thank you very much for the above report on Malcolm. We've wondered about his status... now we know." Fella's... the address is:

Mr. Malcolm Cade, 77 E. Andrews Drive, Apt. 237, Atlanta, GA, 30305.

ROY B. McCRUM, May 7, 1993: Your Editor recently located Mrs. R. E. McCrumb in Enid, OK. I left a message on the answering machine... Roy's wife Ruth returned my call later in the day. She told me Roy had managed a dairy in Chickasha for many years and was about to retire when he died suddenly of a heart attack in 1983. The family then moved to Enid, OK. She said Roy talked a lot about his experiences during WW11 and has lots of photographs from the time. He was a Communications Technician and referred to himself as a "Homer", whatever that was! Mrs. McCrumb sent me information about Roy for the July, '93 newsletter. Roy has 3 sons, one of them is in Anchorage, AL.

"Enclosed is a picture of Roy (on the left) in front of the 308th sign. I do not know the other fellow. From what Roy wrote on the back - his last name was Butler." (Ed: Probably Morgenthau Butler) "Roy graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1950 with a B.S. Degree in Dairy Science. He worked for the U. S. Department of Agriculture for 28 years as a Butter Grader, Quality Control Inspector, and then as Supervisor out of the Area Office in Minneapolis, MN. Roy married Ruth Fisher of Oklahoma City, OK in 1951 and had

three sons: W. E. McCrum of St. Paul, MN; M. A. McCrum of Anchorage, AL; and C. J. McCrum of St. Paul, MN. Roy died of a heart attack in 1983. and is buried in Enid, OK.

"Roy's World War 11 experiences were quite extensive and he kept an excellent photo album. We are very proud of his military record. Thank you for getting in touch with me." Sincerely, (S) Ruth McCrum

BUSHICK'S FRIEND DIES IN CRASH: May 29, 1993. Bulmaro Alacon 11, an FAA Flight Inspector for 25 years, and a good friend like a Grandson to George,

was killed when two pilots he was "Flight Checking" crashed the twin-engine Turbo prop into a mountain side near Sante Fe, NM. All aboard were killed. George had worked with Bulmaro's father at the D. HOWARD CO. for 34 years, and both retired from the Co. at the same time. Bulmaro's funeral rites were conducted by the Archbishop of the Diocese.

PARKE SHEE, JUNE 17, 1993: Called to say he liked the new "Flight Line" and wondered about progress on the 308th Memorial at the AF Museum. (See my 308th MEMORIAL PROGRESS REPORT) The only info I had in April was that Smokey Stober sent Sam Andrews the money and he had paid the $125.00 fee to the museum for "intent to place a memorial". Sam was to meet with museum people in May to select the memorial site and finalize the paperwork. Parke is OK and looking forward to the October 1994 reunion in OKC.

SPOTLIGHT ON 308'ER OTIS CODY

OTIS E. & EDNA CODY: (Ed: While visiting my Sister-in-law in Baton Rouge the week of May 17th, my Bro-in-law Joe Champagne & I drove over to Brookhaven, MS, about 60 miles south of Jackson, where I had been assigned on Recruiting Duty in 1947-48. I found the Lincoln County Courthouse where my Rct'g Office had been was now condemned and boarded up. Recalling that Otis lived in Newhebron some 40 plus miles NE of Brookhaven, we decided to visit him... if we could locate him!) Otis worked in Transportation and as a Crew Chief.

When we got to Newhebron, a town of some 470 people, we first checked with the Postmaster. Yes, he knew Otis and his family well, having gone to school with some of the children. He pointed out the factory building across the street where he said Otis had worked for over 30 years as Manager of their Shipping. Otis's phone number was not listed with the 1/2 page of Cody's in the book so he gave us directions to his place, about 7 miles away. Tho the black top roads were excellent, it seemed further before we saw the black mailbox with white lettering... BOX 179 OTIS E. CODY.

The circle drive enclosed a flower garden in full bloom, with a big Magnolia tree in the front yard. The front of the white (aluminum siding) frame house recalled to me the southerly accented greeting of our 1948 Brookhaven landlady , Mrs. Laird, who from her rocking chair would say, "Y'all get right down, come right in, and set a spell." The grounds and house were neat and well cared for. A good-sized vegetable garden grew on one side and the lawn on the other side was dominated by a dozen or so "natural gourd" Purple Martin houses hung from cross-arms on two poles. Several martins were flying about, others perched on the cross-arms. (I too am a Purple Martin Landlord)

Otis met us at the door and I let him wonder a bit before telling who we were. (I don't suppose it's very often two old gents' drive up in a Caddie) His first question was... "How did you guys ever find this place?" The time passed rapidly as we visited. Edna is recovering from throat cancer which damaged nerves in her vocal chords leaving her with a minor voice impediment. She joined in our conversation... no problem.

Otis confided the gang in his "Hunting" Club all call him "Pop". That's probably because he and Edna, who were married in 1946 and lived in Newhebron all their lives, raised 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls. According to Al Quint, they put them all through college! They have 16 Grandchildren, and 1 Great-Grandchild. As Edna said when I noted the great number of Cody's in the phone book, "Yeah, we're the old hen and rooster, and we've got descendants all over the country... they sprung from the ""old Blue hen"" as old timers would say it." Otis says it's a "big bunch" when they all show up there!

I had last seen Otis at the Orlando Reunion in 1984. Now 74, he looks good, and gets around well although he claims a bad back. After he was discharged in 1945 until he took disability retirement in 1968 Otis worked at Newhebron Clothing where they made various kinds of uniforms, mostly medical. He still hunts wild turkeys but says they're not near as plentiful now. I pointed out on the map where I used to hunt squirrels when I was in Brookhaven in 1948. He'd hunted there many times. Otis said of his red 1984 F150 Ford Pick-up in the drive, "It's got 103,800 miles on it and still runs good". "Before that, I had a 1974 Ford with 512,000 miles on it!" If I remember right Otis and Edna traveled in the 1984 to Milwaukee, WI this year to visit Al Quint.

We took some photo's (see inset) and I "borrowed" Otis's WW11 Diary and address book to copy for reference. We sure had a nice visit and hope both Otis and Edna will be able to come to the 1994 Reunion in Oklahoma City.

ROSS E, "SMOKEY" STOBER, JUNE 23, 1993: Both of us are well. The Dr's took another endoscopy look at that scar tissue in my esophagus and they did a biopsy on the scar tissue which was not malignant. They dilated it in Florida and I haven't had any problem since. I'll be fishing in Canada most of July, making two trips up there to two different areas.

Al Quint is recovering OK from his by-pass surgery the last week in May but is not allowed to drive for 6 weeks. (that would be about July 8th).

MRS. JIM (ZOLKA) SIMS: April '93 newsletter ret'd not deliverable to 2020 Isabel Way, Aberdeen, WA 98520. Any of you gals got the right address?

309TH BS AND STATUS BOARD

LEE A. NEWELL, 309TH, MAY 24, 1993: What a great FLIGHT LINE! Both of us have enjoyed reading and rereading it. Four names were left off the reunion list. We arrived north the 10th of May and still have plenty to do.

(Ed: I missed that page... sorry. I sent them the April Flight Line.)

PEMBERTON, HORACE (WOODY), 655 W. FAIRHAVEN AVE., ROSEBUD, OR 97470.

PETIT, RAY 335 REDDING RD., FAIRFIELD, CT 06430

PIERPONT, FRED 124 LAGUNA ST., VALLEJO, CA 94591

POIRKOFF, JOHN A. 3052 3RD ST., ALIQUIPPA, PA 15001

Question: Why did the French train derail? Answer: Toulouse-Lautrec.

ROLLAND WILLIAMS, 309th, MAY 25, 1993: Dear 31ST Fighter Vets! I received the "FLIGHT LINE" this week and enjoyed it very much. I am sending a check to subscribe for a year... what's left use as needed. Just this last year is the first time I've been able to get anything about the 31st or 309th. Sure seems to be not too many left.

GERHARD AUSBORN, 309TH, MAY 28, 1993: I joined the 41st Pursuit Squadron at Selfridge Field, Mich. and stayed with the unit until it split and I went to the 309th. I went all the way with 309th and came home from Italy.

LEROY MARSH, 309TH, JUNE 2, 1993

It was nice to receive a copy of your April 1993 "Flight Line", and it proved to be "interesting". As Lee Newell put it. No, I didn't keep a diary while I was overseas. But in January 1985, two old buddies, Nolen Mann and Ralph Apple visited me, and we hashed over some of the events and memories we shared. We fed off one another and triggered recalling things we had all but forgotten. And some of them were as vivid as if they had happened yesterday. I wrote most of it down and sent copies to the 309 radio men. Naturally, I made a few errors along the way. One was mistaking Gen. Omar Bradley for Gen. George Patton. It happened at the Termini, Sicily, airstrip. (see Flashback)

ED P. GUZZONATO, 309TH, JUNE 17, 1993: Rec'd your very nice letter and copy of the newsletter. I was one of the original members of the 31st Fighter Group. I joined the unit at Selfridge Field at Mt. Clemens, Mich in 1940 and stayed in it until my discharge in 1945. I headed up the Communications Section of the 309th through the Sicilian and Italian campaigns. Those were some great days with many memories which are hard to forget. Elmer, I hope to meet you and other 308'ers some day. Our Comm. group is meeting this fall at Des Moines, Iowa Sept 10 to 12, 1993. Nice to see the old gang every year.

RALPH APPLE, 309th, JUNE 18, 1993: I've been gone for a month and things pile up! I thought your : "Flight Line" was great. We started a newsletter but no one sent any news in so it fizzled out. Sorry that I don't have a good 309th squadron insignia. The best one here has Donald Duck with a hammer... and it should be a wrench. (Ed: Can anybody out there come up with a copy of the right 309th insignia?) Am enclosing a check... take out for my subscription and use the rest to help pay for sending copies to other 309th members. Also enclosed are a couple articles about our first CO, Harrison Thyng, one he wrote about his WW11 crew chief. Thanks for the wonderful news letter and maybe one of these years the Group can get together and have a reunion.

I was a good friend of a Ted Taliaferro at Selfridge Field. I wonder if it's the same Ted who was in the 308th? (Ed: Yes, it was the same person Ralph. Ted lived in Mt. Pleasant< Texas since 1945, but like so many others did not respond to reunion notices, etc.. He died Thanksgiving Day, 1985. T. Cass Taliaferro, 1314 Navaho St., Arlington, TX 76012 subscribes to "Flight Line" and would be grateful to hear from any WW11 friend of Ted's.)

THIS TIME OF YEAR... 1943

The following notations, of 308th squadron diary origin, come from Dennis Kucera's first draft manuscript for his soon to be published book (we hope), "IN A NOW FORGOTTEN SKY". I selected some "Memory Joggers" from the period July thru December, 1943 and publish them hoping to refresh your recollection of the time and perhaps inspire some to submit a story or two for FLIGHT

LINE. The Oct., 1993 "FLIGHT LINE" will have similar notes for Jan., Feb., and Mar., 1944.

JUNE, 1943

6/29 First missions to Gozo (Banjo Field) at noon today///6/30 Rodmyre, Schult, VanAusdell, Roche assigned, all other pilots at Gozo, Lt Steven crashed in sea on go-around-- in 36' of water 500 yards N of Gozo, Lt Fardella hit high berm runway edge & crashed atop RAF Spit at side killing 4 Brit Commandoes who had just replaced Ralph Francis & crew taking equipment out of the plane. Fardella hurled out still in the seat, hurt but alive.

JULY, 1943

///7/02 First Sgt. James Sreiner relieved of duty, sick.///7/03-04 More new 308th and 309th pilots to Gozo after Spit transition.///7/06 First missions to Sicily, (Comiso)-Capt Fleming (308 CO) down in flames, Babcock MIA. ///7/07 Fight patrols from Gozo, rear echelon at Korba--Transfers= 1/Sgt Sreiner to Fld Hosp, Sgt E.B. Smith to Hq X11 AFSC, Sgt Redwine & Cpl Lacey transferred out.///7/08 Lt Van Ausdell crashed on TO at Gozo due to soft runway, shaken up badly, Spit salvaged. Korba rear echelon crating to move.///7/09 Allies shelling, bombing, and dropping paratroops on Sicily all night. C-47's carrying 40 to 60 paratroops each flew over the invasion fleet at night and Navy gunners mistakenly shot down 27+ C-47's.(Thought they were German bombers on their 2nd raid of the night and could not see the C-47's red flare identity signals because of the tracers from the deck guns.)///7/11 308th attacks 6 to 20 Dornier DO-217 "Flying Pencil" German bombers over Sicily, a "V" each for Capt Paulk, Lt Callender, Lt Waltner, 1 damaged by Lt Woolrich.///07/12-13 Flew 6 missions a day for 4 days straight.///

07/14 Gozo (advance) and Korba (rear) echelons back together at Ponte Olivo airdrome, other rear echelon at Korba moved to Bizerte awaiting sea transport, it is HOT!, lots of fleas. Group CO Col Dean determined on-base barracks "unfit for human use" until cleaned up. Bombed several times each night for 3 nights. Rumored German sympathizers are pinpointing our airstrip for night bombing by signal lights atop nearby peaks. An RAF Beaufighter (night equipped) patrolled the area for 2 nights but could not verify the rumor. AM take-offs delayed for repair of bomb craters in runway, some aircraft damage, tires ruined by taxiing over shrapnel.///07/15 Col Dean returns to U.S., Lt Col Frank Hill now 31st CO., night bombs scored direct hit on and burned filthy barracks, (thanks to Col Dean's orders no one was inside!)/// 07/16 AP (anti-personnel) frag bombs everywhere on Ponte Olivo, exploding at random intervals.///07/17-18 Two quiet days we spent cleaning up and repairing damage. Heavy, accurate, night bombing made field unusable for landings, lots more AP bombs around.///07/19 Moved to Agrigento airstrip on southern coast of Sicily. ///07/22 Allies took Palermo, Capital of Sicily. ///07/26 Mussolini, "El Duce" resigns as head of Fascist Italy. ///07/27 Rear Echelon boards LST 61 at Bizerte enroute to Sicily. 31st FG receives Group Unit Citation for Tunisian Campaign.///07/29-30 Rear Echelon at Licata, moved immediately across Sicily to northern coast base Termini Immerse.

AUGUST, 1943

///08/1 Ground crews from Agrigento arrive by C-47, our Spitfires follow. Four of our Spit V111's jumped by six ME-109's W. of Patti, Lt Ramsey a probable. Termini is a resort area, we get cleaned up!///08/03-07 Routine patrols, relaxation. Pvt's Sausaman and Griffen xfr'd. ///08/08 Six Spit V111's and six Spit V's battled 20 plus FW-190's and ME-109's over Cape Orlando. One each FW-190 "V" for Capt Paulk, Lt's Heard and Ramsey, Capt Baker damaged one. Capt Williams hit by 20mm HE in cockpit area, wounded to

head and back but made it back to base and will recover. ///08/09-10 Routine, S/Sgt. Noxsel, Cpl's Shaheen & Slack Xfr'd. ///08/11 Dog fight over Cape

Orlando, 1 FW-190 for Capt Baker, Lt Hurd had a coolant leak and crash landed at San Stefano uninjured, Capt Williams hit by flak, severely injured, got back to base but will be in hospital for weeks. As of July 7th 2nd Lt's Rich, Overend, Terry, Ramsey, Woodrich, and Brunasky are 1st Lt's and Lt. Lamensdorf is promoted to Captain. ///08/12-13-14-15-16 Daily patrols over Cape Orlando and Straits of Messina but no action, all flying suspended 08/17, all in for some R&R. Sicilian Campaign ends, passes issued to Palermo. ///08/10-30 A few patrols and sweeps but no enemy aircraft, Lt Fardella ret'd from rest camp, has severe ear trouble. /// 08/31 308th FS will be the assault squadron in the next invasion.

SEPTEMBER, 1943

09/01 Capt's D. K. Smith, Baker, Wolfe, Dalrymple and Mosby awarded DFC's by Gen Carl Spaatz in Tunis. ///09/02 Capt's Vostel, Lamensdorf, and Roth, and Lt's Kruzan, Arnold Johnson, Riley, and Upczak, First Sergeant Elmer J. Howell and 182 enlisted men left Termini by truck for a 120 mile trip to the invasion staging area on Milazzo peninsula. ///09/03 308th assigned LST's #1 and #2. Hot, dusty, thousands of men, 4 to 6 chow lines three or four hundred men deep, and rumors. ///09/04 Our aircraft at Milazzo airdrome.///09/05-09 Prepared each day to load up, on the 4th day the 308th is split up, half load on two LCI's, the remainder on LST #2. S. Italian coast resistance collapsed Sep 7th.///09/10 The 308th's LCI's led a six LCI group out to the main convoy and then proceeded to the assault beach some 175 miles across the Med. sea at Salerno, Italy, "Peaches Beach" landing about 1600. LST #2 left Millazzo in late PM and arrived at Salerno 1200 Sep 11th. Bivouac'd near Brit 25 lb'er Field Artillery Battery. Guards posted thru night, air raids on Salerno harbor, German tank fire over our heads, allied flak falling on us. ///09/12-16 Invasion bogged down, German force holding 5th Army on beach-head from cutting off their retreat northwards, 308th moved 09/14 to an orchard nearer Monte Corvino airdrome. B-25's bombed German lines ///09/17 bombed twice, strafed once, 24 hour guards still posted. /// 09/18-19 British 8th and American 5th Armies link up, Monte Corvino runway OK for our Spitfires. ///09/20 308th Spitfires arrive at Monte Corvino, bombed and strafed by FW-190's five times today, 308th unharmed. ///09/21-22 All Spit's here, moved Bivouac to new area inside airdrome buildings, constant air patrols and escort duty around beach-head. ///09/23-30 Fighter sweeps and escort, no enemy sighted. Several days bad flying weather. Capt Lamensdorf to Operations Officer, Lt Rich Ass't. "Peaches" beach patrol uneventful.

OCTOBER 1943

Operations building at end of runway, operations in repaired bldg alongside runway. Lt's Teachworth, Meador, and Midgett assigned. Flying bomb-line patrols, no enemy air resistance. ///10/18-19-20 Routine patrol flights Venafro/Caprone area, local transition flights for new pilots. ///10/21 On

return from bomber cover mission to Cassino Lt Mutchler's Spit hit by flak directly underneath, made it back with chunk off one prop blade and oil tank hanging by copper tubing. ///10/22-23-24-25-26 Patrols above Army units having a tough time at Venafro and Teano, enemy aircraft sighted on patrol to Sessa, not engaged, another patrol witnessed dive bomber and artillery (ours) hammering a specific hill, Officers and EM's holding dances on alternate weekends. ///10/28-29-30 No missions flown, Lt's Lipscomb, McKee, Steger, Trafton, and Walker make 1st Lt..

NOVEMBER 1943

/// 11/01 Six Spit V's patrolling 5th Army bombline jumped by 15 FW-190's and Me-109's, Lt's Brunasky and Woods each damaged ME-109's. German bombers attack Naples, bomb shelters packed with Allied soldiers and Italian civilians! ///11/02 Delousing mission over Rome, all hands had roast turkey dinner tonight! ///11/03 Cover for A-36's bombing Cisterna, no enemy. ///11/04 Sweep to Avezzano, no enemy. ///11/05 Lt's Mutchler & Trafton scrambled, flew to Gaeta but no enemy, Lt Frost lost on patrol to Venafro, listed MIA. Thirty-five minute air raid over Naples tonight, no damage here. ///11/06-07-08-09-10 Flying bombline patrols daily but no enemy. Lt's Brown & Hurd make 1st Lt. Maj Fleming, lost in flames over Sicily, is a POW. ///11/11 4 Spit V111's took on 10 FW-190's over Gaeta, Lt's Brown and Holland each damaged one. Lt Fardella MIA, last seen going straight down into the clouds by Lt Trafton. ///11/12 Pomig airdrome bombed at 1700 by 16 to 20 FW-10's dropping anti-personnel bombs. Missed us but wounded several British on the north side of the field. ///11/13-14-15-16-17 Daily patrols along the coast but no enemy aircraft. Several pilots and many EM's have Yellow Jaundice, bad colds, and dysentery is rampant. Doc Roth can't "ground" pilots because of no replacements. Colds and dysentery particularly miserable to pilots due to altitude changes and high "g" maneuvers. Patrols over supply boats at Gaeta. ///11/18 Lt Hurd sent to 31st's front line radio station. B-25 escort to bomb Terni 145 miles NW. ///11/19 Lt Steger to Med Board hearing in Tunis, lung problems. 5 missions today, no enemy, no losses. ///11/20 Maj Vostel checked field at Caserta for possible move there, it is unfinished and flooded. On readiness today, scrambled but unable to intercept bandits. On return to base Lt Midgett had neither flaps nor brakes, nosed up after landing. He's OK.///11/21 Capt Walmsley, Brit Liaison between 5th Army and 31st Grp spoke to us on a variety of subjects. One mission today, Lt Kruzan at Caserta preparing for a move and Capt Lamensdorf is also at Caserta X11 ASC checking on overdue awards. ///11/22 Three missions today, Lt's Roche and Skinner have yellow jaundice.

///11/23 Vatican accidentally bombed. ///11/24 M/Sgt Charles W. Smith (Line Chief) receives orders to OCS in the US, Lt Hurd back from front-line radio service and Lt Schult replaced him. ///11/25 Thanksgiving Day, Turkey and All trimmings. Air Marshall Coningham spoke to Group pilots. /// 11/26 Alert 1800-1930, enemy bombers over, no bombs here. ///11/27 Six missions today. Lt Schult back from front, Lt Walker went up. ///11/28 Four missions today over Cassino. ///11/29 Lt's Rodmyre, Guarino, Holland fly in from Catania with 3 reconditioned Mark V's. /// 11/30 Lab tests of all our fuel today, engine have cut out in mid-flight. Lt's Ramsey and Woolrich make Captain. //

DECEMBER, 1943

12/01 Four missions today, no enemy. Chaplain Capt Kuzman took 25 pilots to

dinner, Lt Walker came back from front line duty./// 12/02 Lt's Roche and

Skinner and many of our EM's, 1st Sgt Howell, remain in Tunisian Field Hospital with jaundice, Lt's Carver, Brunasky, and Chapman to Capri, Lt Schult has jaundice. ///12/03 Navy Commendation for our mine sweeper patrols in the gulf of Gaeta. Roch and Skinner to Capri from hospital,. Gen House Letter of Appreciation for our help at Cassino. ///12/04 Enlisted mens dance tonight in officers mess. ///12/05 Two missions over bombline. Capt Overend back flying after jaundice. ///12/06 Capt's Ramsey & Woodrich grounded, tour up..rotate to US.

///12/07 Lots of strafing, patrols, bombing cover missions today. ///12/08-09 strafed/destroyed 5 trucks, one Jeep, three box cars, and damaged a locomotive and truck. ///12/10 Visit by Generals Arnold, Spaatz, House, and Cannon with Col Hawkins and our first CO Col Fred M. Dean, all coming from the Cairo conference. /// 12/11 Lt's Terry & Brunasky now Flight leaders replacing Ramsey and Woodrich. Lt's Funke and Kruzan told by Col Dean their are being promoted to Captains. ///12/12-13-14 Rainy weather but on 14th Lt Roche destroyed an ME-109 when six Spit V's jumped by 15 plus Jerries, Lt Emery damaged a JU-88 near Rome.

///12/14-16-17 Lt Babcock to hospital, Lt Rodmyre took his place as Ass't Ops Off, officers dance 17th. ///12/18-19 Capt Funke to US. ///12/19-20-21-22-23 Capt Lamensdorf to 209CAAA for info on Lt Fardella MIA Nov 11 over Gaeta. Bad weather. Big ground battle at Ortona, 1st Canadian Div..///12/25 Rained. Col McCorkle awarded Air Medals to Lt's Roche, Molland, Guarino, Schult, Rodmyre, Chapman, Gilbert and several others. ///12/25 Two missions, "C" rations for lunch, turkey and trimmings for supper. ///12/26 British and Norwegian Royal Navy have sunk the German warship "Scharnhorst".///12/27 Lt Babcock back from Hosp, will return to US. Three patrols, Lt Gompf crashed landed near Capua uninjured. Suspect fuel problem again.///12/28 Escort 26 B-25's to Rome and four bomb line patrols. ///12/29-30 Pilots set up a bar & meeting room in officers quarters. We fly delousing missions to Terni and bomb line patrols. ///12/31 EM's celebrating New Years ring church bells at midnite!... civilians confused.

N.AFRICA-SICILY FLASHBACKS 1943

GALE ROGERS HAND...MY HEAD: DON FIROVED, 308TH. At Korba I was crew chief on the plane when Gale Rogers got his hand hurt when the shell blew up. I was standing in front of the wing talking to Gale. The ejected link hit me in the head. I had a "ringing" in my ears for a long time. I have now completely lost the hearing in that ear... it may have been the cause.

"black" nights, we heard a "swishing" noise on our tent. J. W. asked, "what's that", and I replied, "How the hell would I know?" He said, "you look." So I did look, and it was an arab jackass licking our tent.

Meanwhile, J.W. had cocked his .45 "Tommy" gun, and with all the commotion, the jackass ran off. I was about to fall asleep again when he asked, "How do I get this thing un-cocked?" I said, "Pull the bolt back, hold it, pull the trigger, drop the clip out, and eject the shell." After a long pause he said, "You do it." I took the gun and carefully kept the barrel pointed up while I went through the procedure in the dark tent. I was just about asleep again when he said, "You sure you got that round out of the chamber?" I roared back, "Yeah, I got the round out of the chamber, and if you don't shut up and go to sleep I know where I'm gonna' put it!" He shut up, and I went to sleep.

PATTTON INJURED HIS NURSE: ART BLEILER, 308TH. Remember the Italian plane that flew into our field to surrender when they gave up fighting the Allies? It was about this same time that Gen. Patton actually slapped the nurse when she told him he was under Dr.'s orders. He first slapped, then pushed her backward. She fell over a night stand and remained in bad condition afterwards. It injured her back.

AND DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!: LEROY MARSH, 309TH, Tells about the time he mistook Gen. Omar Bradley for Gen. George S. Patton. It happened at the Termini, Sicily airstrip. The Italian government surrendered about this time. One day our planes escorted into the field a tri-motored Savoia-Marchetti. Marshal Badolgio and Patton got out of it. (At least I remembered him as Patton, for he carried a pearl-handled revolver on each hip and he had the air of "Old Blood and Guts". (The guys corrected me at our first reunion that it was Bradley)

Anyway, the plane parked next to our Radio tent, and Shorty Powell was detailed to guard the plane. All he had on was khaki shorts and his GI shoes. When Badolgio and Bradley came back after a while, Bradley looked around and bellered, "Who's guarding this plane?" Shorty was sitting on the ground leaned back against a main wheel completely out of sight, but he snapped to, and all 118 pounds of Shorty stood as straight as he could and answered, "I am, Sir." Bradley growled, "Where's your gun?" Shorty said, "I don't have it with me, Sir." Bradley said, "If somebody came up here with a gun, you'd be taking orders from him, wouldn't you?" Shorty said, "Yes Sir!", and Bradley turned and got into the plane. Still thinking it was Patton we wondered afterwards what he would do about it. We'd heard that Patton hated the Air Force and would have had every man in the theater of operations fully dressed in woolen olive drab, with leggins' and helmets at all times. We didn't think he really had the authority to order it... but we wondered.

(Ed's Note: Recalling Patton's reputation for "on-the-spot" discipline, all involved were probably fortunate that it was Bradley, and not Patton.)

PATTON'S ARMY!-NOT OURS!: ART BLEILER, 308TH. Gen. Patton also gave us "air Corps misfits" hell for being out of uniform. We often went without shoes or cap, wore "cut-offs" made by cutting the sleeves and legs off shirts, khaki pants, and fatigue coveralls. We sometimes worked in only under shorts, cap and shoes. (if there were sandspurs) We didn't shave often enough for him either. Patton informed us we were worse than the Arabs. We just laughed. We'd go swimming in the nude after his plane took off, and some would stand up in the shallow water and wave at his plane as it flew along the beach.

LITTLE DID I KNOW!: ART BLEILER, 308TH. About the Mediterranean... the second day I went from the Field up the main highway to our right, some distance from the road, by a little villa or house. I walked down the road to the beach, took off my clothes, had a nice swim and returned to camp. I told a couple buddies about my nice place to swim and we went back there the next day. The English were just finishing removing a 2‑1/2 ton truck load of A.P. & tank mines from that road. God had surely guided my every foot step the previous day. I knew what those mines could do. I exploded many at the dump.

NO BLOOD & GUTS" PARKING: ART BLEILER, 308TH. When Patton flew into our airfield on Northern Sicily, he parked his Cub in front of our (Ready Alert) plane. We informed him the place must be kept open. He said, "I'm George Patton, in charge of this whole goddam island, and I'll park my airplane wherever I damn well please." He left by command car. We pushed his Army camouflaged Piper Cub away from there and headed it into a patch of brush. I never found out who helped him out of there as we left a short time after.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: First days in Sicily... Seen scrawled in 8 inch letters on the wall of the olive drab canvas screen around an officers' slit trench latrine, (probably by a PO'd dog-face detailed to dig it and put up the screen), "WALLED OFF ASSTORIA--OFFICERS ONLY".

EMMETT GILBERT'S TRIP HOME

Note: The following is a "word for word" transcription of Emmet's story of the experience as he recorded it on cassette tape in July, 1992. He says,

"I might just ramble on about my trip back to the "States" from Italy. Nothing world shakin' about it but maybe worthy of mention. There were nine fighter pilots from the 31st, several from the 308th Squadron leaving Foggia on April 15, 1944 to return back to the States. Jack Gumph was one, Hugh Midgett, Dan Teachworth, 'Porky' Connors (I don't recall what his first name was), Gerald Carver, Myself, and three other fella's, and I don't remember their names." (Ed: How about Chapman, Guarino, and Holland?)

We flew in a DC-3 to Algiers and stayed overnight. I got bumped on the following day on the trip to CasaBlanca and had to wait an extra day. Then I rode on to CasaBlanca in a nice plush C-54. We all milled around the airport for several days staying at the "Hotel DeGink", a hangar stacked up with steel beds. There was a lot of crap games going on twenty-four hours a day.

Our return papers stated we could "get back home anyway we were able to find a ride!" Well... Porky got us all together one day and was really excited... e had a ride back!... in an old B-17 which a couple of guys were taking back for a War Bond Drive. They had a crew of five, Pilot, Co-pilot, Radio Operator, Navigator, and the Crew Chief. We flew to Maraketsch, down in the desert, and stopped there to refuel and then on to Dakar to spend the night. So far... So good! Everybody was happy with the flight.

The next morning the Pilot asked if we minded them going on down to Akraw on the "Gold Coast" to visit some friends instead of going across to South America. We said, "Hell, we're just passengers, do what you want to do." So, that's what he decided, and we headed south.

Some time later, when we were flying over a jungle country where you couldn't see the ground, Connors, who had been up at the cockpit, came back and said, "Everyone get your 'chutes on, we've lost number three engine. He said the oil pressure was down to 19 pounds and not enough to feather the prop'." We

fighter pilots didn't have any idea what would happen if the damn thing continued to windmill. I thought maybe it would throw the engine off, or put us in a spin, or whatever.

Well, nothing happened, and after while everyone took chutes off and relaxed, until someone came back again, and said "Guys, we're losing number two engine the same way!" So the Radio Operator started a "May-Day" sending out radio messages. It was about this time that we found out that the pilot had only about 10 hours of pilot time in a B-17, and the Co-pilot had not first time and only 5 hours of co-pilot time! So, they headed southwest to get out of the jungle territory and over the coastline. As we flew down the coast we had radio contact with a civilian airliner and told him about our predicament. So, we were going on number one and four engines.

Well, we opened the side door, and I don't remember whether we jettisoned the door or what we did with it. But anyway, we had the open door, and Hugh Midgett found an axe in there and he was chopping off armor plate trying to lighten the load. Someone was carrying it back to the door. Another guy and I stood at the door without chutes on, which is a "no-no", and tossed the armor plates out, watching them fall. We'd gotten down to about 7,000 feet, and had thrown out quite a lot of excess stuff.

Then we went up to the cockpit to see how things were going. The pilot and co-pilot were arguing about what to do. Number four was losing some oil pressure, and the co-pilot thought we should get on down, while the rest said, "Hold the altitude as long as you can... we can always lose it but we can't get it back!"

So, we held altitude until number four was gone, and incidentally, the co-pilot, this is the only time I've ever in my life seen somebody sit in the cockpit and cry, .... and that's what he was doing! Now we're flying on number one engine and the pilot decided that was about it so they're going to ditch the airplane outside of the breakers, in smooth water.

We landed in the water at 3:30 PM. The landing was good... we hit the water at about 90 mph, and the airplane went under the surface, came back up and floated. Everyone was seated against a bulkhead, and as water gushed in from the open door it threw us up against the ceiling of the airplane.

We all began to get out as quickly as we could, and one dinghy on the right filled with six men. The other on the left was slow to inflate and only three men in it and the rest of them in the water except me. I sat on the plane and reached down into the airplane and picked up a leather jacket and threw it into the right dinghy. I don't know why in the hell I did that but anyway, I did! Just about that time someone yelled, "Look at that wave!"

I started to look and it slapped me in the face. When I could turn, I saw

that the whole tail section of the airplane from about 3-1/2 feet behind me was standing straight up in the air! Thinking that it was going to fall on me, I stood up and jumped as far as I could into the water. I noticed too, when I started to jump, that the wing tips were knocked off by that first wave. The plane was completely torn in two by the first wave and had separated. The tail section had fallen back away from me. The two pieces floated along. The men were thrown from the dinghies and were at the mercy of the high tide. We were roughly 3/4 of a mile out.

The Crew Chief was holding onto a rope around the outside of the dinghy, and when everybody was thrown out, he held on to the rope and the dinghy shot him in toward shore at a pretty good clip. He stood and watched as everyone else struggled. All thirteen made it. The airliner flying south, also flew low over us on the beach. We indicated we were all OK and he went on to Acraw.

The next day, a PBY came up and landed in a lake a mile or so away. We boarded it for the trip to Acraw. We had ditched about 180 miles from Takarati, down the Ivory Coast.

The rest of the trip from Akraw to Miami was on a C-46. We looked like a bunch of bums, but we were glad to get back.

CERTIFIED TRUE TRANSCRIPTION:

February 15, 1993

SMS (R) Elmer J. Howell

We do not remember days, we remember moments.---Cesare Pavese TAKING CARE OF OLD BUSINESS

THE LT. WILSON STORY: The following is a highly edited account of L/C (R) Robert J. Goebel's historical research and report of Lt. George F. Wilson's death in the crash of his P-51 in Czechoslovakia in 1944.

In June of 1992 at the Dayton reunion of the 308th Fighter Squadron I was given the task of replying to a letter from Svatopluk Vyvazil, a resident of Chomutov, in northwestern Czechoslovakia. He stated that his hobby was aviation history and that he had located the site of a P-51 crash nearby which the old men of the town told him happened in the winter of 1944.

He had learned that the crash occurred on 16 December 1944, the pilot was 2nd Lt. George F. Wilson flying P51B-15NA S/N 43-24898 assigned to the 308th Ftr Sqdn, 31st Ftr Grp. He had found many aircraft fragments and some personal effects of the pilot at the site, a watch, comb, part of a knife, goggles, belt buckle, etc. He asked for help in locating any next of kin and obtaining photograph of Lt. Wilson. He would give up the personal effects to the next of kin. Imprinted on the letter was a photocopy, presumably taken at the crash site, of three .50 cal. machine guns stacked in a tripod over an oxygen tank.

Reviewing the squadron and group histories for the months of November and December 1944 and the Mission Report for the 16th of December I learned that Lt Wilson was assigned to the 308th Ftr Sqdn Nov. 11, 1944. I did not know him, having rotated back to U.S. months before. The mission was to escort B-24's to targets at Brux, Germany (now Most, Czechoslovakia) and recorded Lt. Wilson as having been lost that day. Flying as Yellow #2 and in the target area he began flying erratically, and entered a spin at 25,000 ft. His flight leader watched the airplane continue spinning until it entered an overcast at 10,000 ft and disappeared. It was suggested that Lt. Wilson may have suffered an oxygen system failure and "blacked out".

I obtained a copy of Missing Aircrew Report (MACR) 10673 on Lt. Wilson from the USAF Historical Research Center confirming the information from Mr. Vyvazil and giving the address of next of kin, Lt. Wilson's father, George F. Wilson, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and a statement by lst Lt. William Markley that the P-51 had the name "Mildred" painted on it.

I next made contacts with Doris Flora, of the Tuscaloosa News staff who discovered that both Lt. Wilson's parents were deceased and that a brother lived in northern Alabama and a sister in Georgia. She said Lt. Wilson's family would like his personal effects from Czechoslovakia. The newspaper ran two feature articles on Lt. Wilson and she sent me copies. The articles indicated that he had been killed on his first mission and officially his remains were returned to Tuscaloosa and buried there. His sister wrote thanking me on behalf of both she and her brother for the research which put them in touch with Mr. Vyvazil.

In January of 1993, I received a belated Christmas card from Mr. Vyvazil. Enclosed was a photograph of 11 men and a young boy grouped around a memorial they had erected on December 13, 1992 to the memory of Lt. Wilson. One of the men held a short staff with an American flag attached. I know nothing about the group but I think their collective interest in a young American pilot who was killed in their country, probably before they were born, is a very touching tribute indeed.