It is a sad duty
to announce the
passing of one
of our association's
most notable and
loyal members.
Nancy Johnson
Karen Spence Epple passed
Editor away together
with her husband recently in a
horrific house fire. She is survived by
her mother, Loro Beth. Her father,
George T., was a founder of the 9th
AFA. I lmow you join me in sharing
our deepest condolences to the
family. See Lloyd Johnson's column
on page 2 for more on this tragedy.
Next issue: I'm sure you noticed
a small change in this quarter's Flyer.
Royce and I got to talking and we've
come up with a series, each honoring
WWII fighting groups. This quarter,
Bombardment. I met many new
friends during on line research, two
in particular who not only allowed us
to copy their work, but actually
donated art which normally sells
retail.
I can't thank artist Mark Styling
enough. Check out the hand illustrated
Marauder on the cover. It's
the "Mr. Jayhawk." Someone
correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm
calling it B-26B-50 MA. Under the
344th's 497th BG, it was piloted by
USAAF Major Jay B. Smith. See
more of Mark's beautiful aviation
work at www.markstyling.com.
Enormous thank-yous go out to
Mike Smith and Trevor Allen at B-
26.com. Mr. Allen is lead historian
for the site and has done a bang-up
job of chronicling the time when this
old bird rained ruin on the enemy.
I learned the Marauder was
initially termed the Widowmaker as
numerous accidents occurred in early
years due to faulty nose gear design.
But the truth is, less life was lost
serving on the B-26 than any other
aircraft during the war.
I'd like to work on future issues
featuring Troop Carriers, Fighters,
Gliders, all the units that made up the
9th. Please, let me hear of your
exploits, even humorous stories.
I caught wind of something that
may be of interest to you. While in
San Antonio recently, I read a
newspaper article that got me
thinking. Tums out, an Alamo man
has spent much of the past 20 years
collecting WWII memorabilia. He
even erected a small museum;
named it the WWII Memorial
Museum. But due to a combination
oflittle-to-no publicity, a bad location
(way north of town in a strip mall)
the economy and mounting debt, he's
forced to close it. Tried as I might, I
never was able to catch up with the
guy but I wanted to share with you
his story, paraphrased from the San
Antonio Express News ..
Steven Stoli owns a small theater
and actor's workshop next door to
his museum. Within the overall 6,000
square feet complex, his 1,800-foot.
facility houses some unique artifacts.
He began working on his labor of
love on Veterans Day, 2001, two
months after the 9/11 attacks. He
said it was due to his parents'
guidance and his love for them that
crystallized his desire to preserve
WWII history.
His father passed away in 1994.
He'd fought in the European Theater
while working as a military policeman
under General George S.
Patton. Stoli's dad was a large figure
in his life-war stories passed down,
enough to interest him to learn more
----See Windload page 16
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, WINTER 2009
THE NINTH FLYER
Winter 2009
Volume XIII, Number I
Published quarterly by the
Ninth Air Force Assodation, Inc.
A Tennessee non-profit veterans
corporation. Chartered as a not for profit
veterans corporation in Tennessee and
registered with the IRS as a 501-c-19
organization,
Headquarters of the Ninth AFA
located at:
Published bv Karen Soence
Associate Editor-Royce Ann Martin
Visit us online at:
www.9thairforce.org
Editorial Policy
The Ninth Flyer is published each
January, April, July and October. We
solicit submitted material from any
interested party who shares the goals of
the Association and wishes to share
information with our readers. Materials
must reach the editor at least 30 days
prior to publication, but no guarantees
are made that those materials will be
published in the next issue. Submissions
should be sent via email to the editor's
address below. When possible, photos
should be sent electronically as JPEGs
or through U.S. Postal Service. Photos
cannot be returned without SASE. All
entries will be published on a space
available basis and will be edited for
length, clarity, and good taste. Complete
identification of persons, equipment or
aircraft pictured must accompany
photos. We encourage submissions from
other veterans organizations.
Items appearing in The Flyer do not
necessarily reflect the views of the
Association. Editorial opinions and/or
comments will be clearly identified.
Permission is granted to reproduce
information in The Flyer unless
prohibited by copyright. Please credit
reprints appropriately.
Contributors may send electronic
submissions to:
PA GE ROM THE TOP
,.1111...---.AL..JU..J on tap for '00
Woody Sproul. We will issue our first
I award this Fall. Details will be have three brief comments to pass
along to you members this quarter.
First- See page 9 ..-~~----~ available at the reunion.
where you'll find the
appllication in this Flyer.
Get busy right now and
make your reservations
for the Reunion in
Nashville. The 39lst BG
has again joined us and
we are hoping for one of
our bigger and better
reunions this May.
Second- The 9th
AF A Scholarship
Third- the entire
Scholarship program will,
we hope, be entirely
funded from our Heritage
Fund. All donations for
that fund should be sent
to Paul O'Dell and so
marked on your check.
We hope not to ask for
Perry Lusby, specific amounts, so
9th AFA President please send or give what
program is up and running, thanks to
you feel you can afford
on an annual basis-particular! y we
who are Life Members, should
really get behind this effort and make
a donation in lieu of yearly dues.
That is it for now friends and we
do hope to see many of you,
especially new faces, in Nashville!
ring a beautiful and active member
I 'm devoting this column in
remembrance of one of our
younger members. Nancy
(Johnson) Epple and her husband,
Dr. Laurence Epple, were lost in a
tragic fire in their Woodbury, NJ
home on November 19, 2008. A
neighbor noticed the flames and
smoke from the house but could not
arouse the sleeping couple trapped
inside. The house was totally
engulfed before fire fighters could
control the blaze.
Nancy was the daughter of
George T. and Lorn Beth Johnson of
Salisbury, MO. George, who passed
away in 2003, was one of the
founders of our association. Dr.
Epple had a thriving Pediatrics
practice and was able to attend
2
several of the 9th APA conventions.
Nancy worked in their clinic and
arranged her schedule to coincide
her vacation time with our reunions.
She was the young woman with
the loud, multicolored dress and
large, bright hat. During our annual
Nancy Johnson Epple, at right, often was
accompanied by her mother, Laro Beth,
pictured on left.
THE NINTH AIR FoRcEAssocIATION, WINTER 2009
memorial
services, she
tolled the bell
with each name
of our deceased
members.
Nancy was
Lloyd Johnson
Chairman
a planner and organizer par excellence.
As soon as our convention
dates and locations were announced,
she researched the best places to
eat, the most popular shops for
priceless bargains, the list goes on
and on. What's more, she studied
convention schedules to make sure
there were times for relaxation and
she made reservations to visit those
'special places.'
See Remembering page 16
THE SECRETARY'S PE
Cadets get mt from 9th APA Heritage
Happy New
Year to all
ourriends.
I am writing this
on January 1,
2009 (have to get
used to writing
'09), a beautiful Fern Mann
chilly day in
Memphis. My fellow residents and I
will be enjoying a huge pot-luck
dinner in our Village tonight, so we
don't care how cold the weather.
Following our Directors' meeting
in May, 2008, Director Woody Sproul
has been working with Capt.
Huttenlocker at Maxwell AFB, on
plans to implement a 9thAFA
Memorial Scholarship program. The
9thAFAis an organization comprised
of veterans who have served in this
distinguished organization dedicated
to aviation excellence since WWII,
with a continuing focus on the
tremendous accomplishments of 9 AF
and AFCENT.
The purpose of the Scholarship
award is to recognize leadership,
citizenship, patriotism, professionalism,
academic achievement and
ROTC accomplishments.
Summary of the proposed
program looks like this-cadets finish
their Freshman year by June; detachment
Commanders have had one full
year to evaluate these cadets
(grades, leadership, physical fitness,
volunteerism, participation, etc) and
can then write solid nomination
packages. On 1 August those
packages will go to the four regions,
by 14 August the four finalists
applications will come to Capt.
Huttenlocker; he will conduct an
informal board and provide the
nominations to 9th AFA with a HQ
ROTC recommendation. Then it is
up to us (9th AFA) to select the
winner and contact the Detachment
Honor Flight-time's running out
In May, 2004, the National
WWII Memorial was dedicated in
Washington, D.C. After hearing about
the. opening of this memorial, Earl
Morse a physician assistant caring for
veterans at a VA Clinic in Springfield,
Ohio, asked a simple question that
would change his and the life of so
many others forever. He asked
veteran after veteran there if they
thought they would ever see their
memorial. The answer was always
the same; the patients didn't think
they'd be able to get there.
Morse, a licensed pilot and
former US Air Force Captain found
this to be truly tragic. He lamented,
"I still remember a special
recognition medal created in the
1990's to honor WWI veterans. Only
two were located in Ohio. I did not
want this too little, too late attempt at
honoring our heroes to repeat itself
with our WWII vets. I decided that I
wanted to show these veterans the
respect they so _richly deserved for
their sacrifices and achievements."
In May of 2005, Morse organized
a flight of six small planes flying 12
WWII veterans to see their memorial
free of charge. With an ever-expanding
waiting list of applicants, in 2005
Morse founded Honor Flight Network,
Inc, to ensure that WWII
veterans have an opportunity to fly by
commercial airline to Washington
THE NrmHAIR FoRcEAssocIATioN, WINTER 2009
Commander to coordinate presentations.
This Scholarship program will be
funded from our 9th AFA Heritage
Fund, which was created to provide
money for Memorials honoring
members of the Ninth Air Force and
the Ninth Air Force Association.
What better way to continue to
preserve the memory of the Ninth,
than to help college AF ROTC
students -- Future Airmen---complete
their education and become the best
members possible of the Air Force
that we know and love-Long Live
the Ninth!
Other Association news--focusing
on Membership---2009
Dues Notices will be mailed in
January. We hope you will all send
in your renewals right away---that
way you won't miss out on receiving
The Flyer. This also would be a
golden opportunity to make donations
to the Heritage Fund.
-----by Royce Martin
Associate Editor
D.C. to see the memorial that was
erected to honor their service and
sacrifices. Currently they are targeting
WWII military men and women
because they are our nation's most
senior heroes. But, they're also
requesting applications from terminally
ill vets.
"It is our goal to have transported
25,000 WWII veterans by the
end of 2009. Thus far through our 7 5
national hubs in 45 states, we have
provided for approximately 18,000
WWII veterans to see the memorial.
However, since approximately 1,000
WWII veterans pass away every day,
time is not on our side," he added.
----See Honor page 12
3
French Legion of Honor still awarding WWII vets
Edna Christ of Stony Brook, NY, forwarded the information below from the French Consulate. She says,
"This may be the last medal for those who remain on the MOPH roster. It is not awarded posthumously."
New York, NY-· - Thank you for
your letter regarding the Legion of
Honor. I wish to inform you this
award is considered upon receiving
necessary documents from the
veterans who may be eligible for the
highest decoration-Our First National
Order.
To apply for the medals, the
veteran niust send us: a w1itten
request-stating personal address, a
copy of his Enlisted Record and
Report of Separation/Honorable
Discharge, DD214 front and back.
In order to compile a complete file,
related to his campaigns in France
between June 6, 1944 and May 8,
1945, the veteran must also provide: a
brief but detailed and personal
narrative to which the French Legion
of Honor relates and indicating the
dates and location where they fought,
the divisions and functions performed.
If the veteran served in different
units, documents showing evidence of
fighting participation in the liberation
of France on French territory may be
found on-line at www.archives.gov/
veterans or by writing to: National
Personal Records Center, Military
Purple Heart name database
The Purple Heart is one of our
Nation's oldest military awards ...
honored to American soldiers of all
ranks and organizations for sustaining
injuries caused by or
resulting from enemy
action.
A continuing and
permanent effort is
·underway to collect and
display the names of all
Americans, past, present
(and future), who are
authorized The Purple
Heart Medal.
Thousands of names
are already listed in the
free access Medal List
section of The Library.
All those who are
authorized the Purple
Heart Medal, or know of
4
a veteran - living or deceasedwho
is authorized this High Award,
may register online at amervets. com!
phmedl. You may research names at
amervets. com/library.
Other medal lists are
also being compiled and
lists are accessible at the
above web site.
For an individual's
Military Award Authorization
Report, go to:
www.amervet.com/
-01 areq.htm.
The American War
Library, 16907 Brighton
Ave, Gardena, CA
90247.
Phone/Fax: 310-532-
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, WINTER 2009
Records,
Once these documents are
received they will be submitted to
our Embassy in Washington, DC,
then to the Grand Chancellery of the
Legion of Honor in Paris, France,
for final decision. For that reason, it
is very important that the file be
assembled carefully with precise
details.
Chantal Chauvin,
Deputy Consul General.
8Gi ;;; = ~ =
~ ~a•m~IR.Dntl
This special edition of The
Flyer is dedicated to all 9th AF
Bomber Wings and those who
comprised the Squadrons which
served during WWII, the Korean
War, Vietnam and now, Operation
Iraqi Freedom.
The 344th and its birds, the B-
26, from the 98th, and 99th
Bombardment Wings, are only a
small part of bomber aircraft
which have served through the
generations. Also flying to
preserve our freedom during
WWII were the 9th's A-20s flown
by the 409th, 41 0th and 416th
Bomb Groups under the 97th BW.
The Flyer wishes to publicly
thank artist Mark Styling who so
graciously donated his precision
work for the cover of this edition.
Mr. Styling was located online as
we researched the 344th BG tail
art - the subject of some
comment in the past two
quarterly issues. See Mark's work
at www.markstyling.com.
We also acknowledge the
tireless efforts of Mr. Trevor Allen,
historian at www.b.26.com and
the site's webmaster, Mike Smith.
Ii
HISTORY'S MYSTERIES
Three sisters, three buttons, one fascinating stocy
They knew it was a longshot,
but three sisters
attending the 2008 9thAFA
convention in St. Louis
learned more about their late
father than ever before. All
three agree last summer's
experience was one they'll
not soon forget.
"We were so proud to
meet men who worked side
by side with our dad during
the war," said Dora
McClurkin Muir, who, along
with sisters Jana Molina, and
-----by Royce Martin
Associate Editor
events.
"We wore the photo
buttons at the convention to
see if others recognizing our
father could provide more
information on his past, and
to make sure he was
represented there," said
Dora. "We hoped to meet
some other military men
who shared similar histories
during the war."
Kristi Sonney, represented The Mcclurkin sisters, from left: Kristi, Dora and Jana, will
always remember their time at the 2008 9th AFA reunion.
their father, John McClurkin,
Kristi added, "I
especially enjoyed listening
to the war stories that so
a B26 Marauder pilot and
copilot with the 39lst BG, 574thFG in of pages ofletters written by her
1944. father during the war so interested
Dora said he flew 67 missions
from Jan. to Sep. that year, and later
served as a B25 instructor based in
Frederick, OK. McClurkin's next
assignment was Chanute AFB
where he attended Officer's
Communications School, followed by
a stint piloting tow targets at
Bluethenthal Field, NC. After the
war, he worked as a mechanical
engineer for Beech Aircraft,
ultimately retiring from Boeing in
Seattle, WA.
McClurkin passed away at age
81 in 1997. The sisters saw the
reunion as a chance to meet people
who may have known and worked
with their dad. But for the siblings, it
wasn't just a stroll down memory
lane; these women were on a quest.
It all started when their mother,
Marie McClurkin, passed away in
2007. Dora's siblings decided that
she should be the caretaker of all the
military items belonging to their dad.
The medals, logbooks, and hundreds
Dora that she dedicated considerable
time to research his military career.
Upon learning her father's
records were destroyed in the
National Archives fire, Dora poured
through her dad's war time
correspondence to reconstruct his
combat history. Contacting friends
and families of some of the men
mentioned in the letters, she then
turned to internet websites featuring
the B26, the 391st Bomb Group and
the 57 4th Fighter Squadron. Dora
finally learned about the St. Louis
reunion while surfing the 391st
website and began corresponding
with Dave Garnham, Wendell Fetters
and other officers of the Association.
A graphic designer by trade,
Dora previously was employed as an
art director for Aviation Supplies and
Academics (ASA). She created the
photo buttons displaying different
war time pictures of her dad hoping
they'd command the attention they
got while attending all the various
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION' w INTER 2009
many remembered so
vividly."
Third sister Jana stated, "For me,
it was all about connecting the
dots-to connect with that part of
our dad's life. I think we all were
overwhelmed by all the men from so
many different backgrounds, what
they accomplished, and all their
personal stories of how they all
connected in one unified effort."
Since the convention, Dora has
created binders filled with numerous
scanned photos, copies of letters,
and John McClurkin's military
documents for herself, Jana, Kristi,
and two other siblings, Becky Birinyi
----See Sisters page 16
Royce Ann Martin
is The Flyer's new
Associate Editor.
She is a professor
of aeronautics at
Boling Green State
University. She
and her husband
Phil live in Ohio
and currently are
renovating a
second home.
5
FLYERS AND WARRIORS
Maraudennen-the
Recent discussion on the tail insignias of the B-26s assigned to the 344th BG has prompted The
Flyer to share online research in hopes of taking you back to the days when these old birds ruled
the skies over Europe.
A glimpse at the B-26's .
History
against the enemy, 24-26 Jul
1944, striking troop concentrations,
supply dumps, a bridge,
and a railroad viaduct to assist
advancing ground forces at St
Lo.
Although the Martin B-26
Marauder did not make its
first flight until November 25,
1940, its design showed such
promise that 1, 131 were
ordered by the Air Corps in
September 1940. The airplane
began flying combat missions
in the Southwest Pacific in the
Spring of 1942; but most of
these planes subsequently
were assigned to operational
theaters and were sent to
England and the
The "Lak-a-Nookie" served in the 495th Bombardment
Squadron. All four squadrons in the Group were identified
by the white triangle on the tail. A black line around the
triangle later was used for uncamoflauged, silver B-26s.
Photo courtesy of Jack Havener.
Bridges were knocked out to
hinder the enemy's withdrawal
through the Falaise Gap.
Vessels and strong points at
Brest were bombed during
August and September, 1944.
Credited with attacking
bridges, rail lines, fortified
areas, supply dumps and
ordnance depots in Germany
Mediterranean area.
Bombing from medium altitudes
of 10,000 to 15,000 feet, the
Marauder had the lowest loss rate of
any Allied bomber-less than onehalf
of one percent. By the end of
WWII, it had flown more than
110,000 sorties, had dropped 150,000
tons of bombs, and had been used in
combat by British, Free French,
Australian, South African and
Canadian forces in addition to U.S.
units.
In 1945, when B-26 production
was halted, 5 ,266 had been built.
Origin of the 344th BG
Constituted as the 344th Bombardment
Group (Medium) on 31
August, 1942, the Group was activated
on 8 September the same year.
Equipped with B-26's, the Group
served as a replacement training unit.
Moving to England during the first
two months of 1944, the 344th began
operations with the 9th Air Force in
March-attacldng airfields, missile
sites, marshalling yards, submarine
shelters, coastal defenses, and other
targets in France, Belgium, and
Holland.
By May, the Group helped
prepare for the Normandy invasion
by strildng vital bridges in France. On
D-Day, 1944, the 344th was responsible
for attacldng coastal batteries at
Cherbourg. During the remainder of
June, the BG supported the drive that
resulted in the s_eizure of the Cotentin
Peninsula.
Through July, the 344th bombed
defended positions to assist British
forces in the area of Caen. The
Group received a Distinguished Unit
Citation for three days of action
throughout October and November,
the 344th supported Allied forces
during the Battle of the Bulge in
December and January, 1945,
It continued to strike such targets
as supply points, communications
centers, bridges, marshalling yards,
roads, and oil storage tanks until April
of that year and made training flights
to participate in air demonstrations
after the war.
As part of the United States
Air Forces in Europe by September,
1945, the 344th moved to Germany
where it served with the army of
occupation.
Pilots began training in the A-26
but continued to use B-26 aircraft.
Redesignated 344th Bombardment
Group (Light) in December, 1945, by
---See B-26 page 14
Special thanks_ to Mike Smith and Historian Trevor Allen at B-26.com; artist Mark Styling whose work may be found at
. www.markstyling.com, More B-26 art may be found at B-26marauderarchive.org.
This issue is dedicated to the pilots, crews an~ their support who served in all 9 AF Bomb Groups and Wings.
6 THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, WINTER 2009
We regret to inform you of the
following passings reported to us.
May they rest in peace ...
Sidney Wollin V3076
304ASGP, 320ASSQ
Passed 11/29/07
Arthur Rutledge CVL 1068
362FG, 379FS
Passed 8/8/08
John B. Baietto CV1903
394BG, 585BS
10/21/08
Paul E. Maschari V2395
409BG, 643BS
Passed 9/22/07
Frank Berchek V3092
439TCG, 94TCS
Passed 3/20/08
Donald D. Marsden V2792
362FG, 379FS
Passed 4/28/08
John L. Hill CV 1061
362FG, 377FS
Passed 9/27 /08
Marvin Rosvold CV GEL 1004
368FG, 397FS
Passed October, 2008
Leonard W. Badian VL2994
551GCOWG
Passed 3/10/08
George L. Pullio VL2786
48FG;493FS
Passed 9/25/08
James H. Stormer VL2881
406FG; 512FS
Passed 6/20/08
Frank H. Mears VHL2628
57FG, CVL1353
Passed 8/4/08
Jerry D. MacLieth
354FG, 353FS
Unknown Date of Passing
Nancy Johnson Epple FL2895
Passed 11/18/08
Please send
Obituary Details to
Mar McCarth
Join the 9th Air Force Association Today!
Become a partner in the greatest militaty oiganiz.ation in the world
Dues: Annual $35 (USA); $40 (Outside USA) Lifetime: $200 (up to age 50); $175 (Age 50-70); $150 (Age 70-79); $125 (Age 80 & up);
Clip and send to: Paul O'Dell,
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Check payable to 9th AFA Referred by -----(Initials & Mem. #)
I apply for membership in the Ninth Air Force Association as:
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Home Phone: Bus.Phone: Fax: E-mail: -----
if you have an alternating (winter/summer) address, please list with phone AND the months at each location.
List the 9th AF organizations to which you were assigned: (use separate sheet if needed) ----------------
My Primary 9th AF Unit Number & Type: (e.g., Wing, Group, Sqdn., TAC, Hqtrs, Btn, Co, Depot, etc.) ___________ _
Location pproximate dates of assignment ___________ _
Military Specialties: Civilian Career Specialties: ___________ _
Associ~e~~ur9AFre~tivesorspeci~9AF~~rest -------------------------~
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, WINTER 2009 7
THE IGHTER SIDE
High altitude high jinx
Ninth AFA member and renowned author, Jack K. Havener, in his book The Martin B-26 Marauder recounts this
amusing story. Though himself a fun loving guy whose antics have been exploited in many books on the era, Jack's
expertise is the Marauder. A member of the 344th BG, he served on D-Day, 1944, in advance of the coming US
invasion of Nomwndy. Here, we pick up a story where one buddy wishes to top the aerobatic skills of world famous
daredevil, Vincent "Squeak~' Bumett. Apparently, Squeak loved to fly his B-26 some 15-feet off the ground, upsidedown
with the tail dragging the weeds below ... a maneuver pilots laughingly call, 'a wheels up approach .. '
Whether or not Del win D.
Bentley (Col-USAF Ret), knew of
Squeek Burnett's exploits with his
B-26 is a matter of conjecture, but
back in early 1943, Bently decided
to prove that not only could the
Marauder fly on one engine, but
that he'd fly (however momentarily)
with both props feathered!
Bentley, then a captain and the
497th Squadron Commander in the
newly formed 344th Bomb Group,
was starting OTU training at
Lakeland Army Air Field, Florida.
He was a "hell-for-leather" University
of Wyoming graduate, wore
cowboy boots constantly, and was
rumored to have been the only man
to have slow-rolled a B-26 deliberately
and lived to tell about it.
Although this rumor was widely
circulated, it was completely false,
but his feathering of both props was
a fact.
When he boasted of doing this
one day, Lt. A. J. Wood, another
497th pilot, told him he'd like to. see
it. Bentley suggested taking a
photographer up in another ship to
record the event. Wood did, and the
picture above right is the photo the
squadron photographer took at the
exact moment when both engines
were cut off and the propellers
were in the full-feather position.
Nothing happened for a few
8
497th BS Commander, Delwin Bently, pulled
a fast one to preserve the negative of this
photo proving he flew this B-26 with both
props feathered over Lakeland, Florida.
days, but something like this could
never have been kept a secret. Word
finally got to then-Group Commander,
Col. Clinton B. Hilger, about the 8.5 x
11 glossy photo of the '26 with no
fans turning.
He called Bentley in and chewed
him out royally, telling him that in light
of all the recent furor over the
Marauder, if word of this ever got
out, there'd be Hell to pay. He
demanded that all copies of the photo
be destroyed or there'd be a new
497th Squadron Commander in short
order!
Bentley swore he had the only
copy (which was the truth) and tore
it up before the Colonel's eyes. The
old boy was too irate to realize that
the negative was stashed away in
Bentley's footlocker-and that's the
reason the photo appears in this
book.
THE NINTH ArR FORCE AssocIATION, WINTER 2009
Army Air Corps
Troop Carrier
Community ',ptiH i[•H'
Oct 9-12 '09
Indianapolis, IN
50th, 52nd & 53rd
TCWings from
both Europe & Pacific
Theaters of Operations
For more info, call
Mark Durivage
NINTH NEWS
Date Due
17 April 2009
Convention Registration Form
9th Air Force Association Date Due
17 April 2009 May 18 ·21, 2009
This name will be used on your Name Badge
First Name ----------- Last Name -------------
Spouse/ Guest(s) ________ _
Address -------------- City ___________ _
State --- Zip _______ Phone ------------
Email --------------- Affiliation (circle one) gth or 391 st
Number of Persons x Cost Per Person = Total
Tour #1 Nashville City
Tour #2 Nashville Night Life
Tour # 3 Hermitage Lunch
Tour #4 Opryland/Gaylord
Banquet/Hospitality Package
(All attendees must pay this package)
$46
$47
$48
$38
$84
TOTAL
Please identify any special accommodations you may need: Physical Support ______ _
Special Meals Other ___________ _
Send this form and a check
(~ayable to CTCM)
For total amount to: -
gth Air Force Association
c/o CTCM-ACR ... PO Box 25806
Colorado Springs, CO 80936
MEMORIES
Birth of a bombardment group Part IV-Edited for space
Editors note: This is fourth in the series of information provided by Wayne Sayles of Gainesville, -MO, whose
website on the 9th 's 416th Bomber Group provides a complete history of this fascinating subject. This quarter,
we're beginning with the date of February, 1945, one of the most involved and fact filled times on his site.
As the war progressed, it
became apparent that a base nearer
the Front would be advantageous
from an operational point of view.
Although the weather in January and
February was bad, a base nearer the
Front would allow us to squeeze in
two or three missions a day.
Such a move had been
contemplated for a couple of months.
It became a reality on the 5th of
February when a reconnaissance
echelon, made up of two officers and
15 enlisted men from each unit, left
for our new base, Station A-69 at
Laon/ Athies, about three miles east
of the city of Laon. The field
formerly had been occupied by the
323rd Bomb Group. It was built
originally by the Germans.
The field was in very poor
condition. Only one of the three
runways was fit for operational use.
One runway had 110 bomb craters in
it. The other runway had been
partially repaired. These two
runways were to be used as parking
areas.
Of the five hangars still
comparatively undamaged, four were
assigned to the Squadron for use as
mess halls. The fifth was to house
the photo laboratory, gunnery and
bomb training equipment.
Taxi strips were full of holes and
generally unserviceable. The Group
had occupied the base for a matter
of only a few days; however, French
laborers were hired to begin repairing
the damaged roadways. Before the
month had passed, work had
progressed beyond expectations.
10
Getting back to the movement,
on the 9th, the 668th and 670th Bomb
Squadrons left StationA-55 by train
and truck for Station A-69. The 40/8
cars that had been part of every
story of the First World War were
used to carry our men and
equipment. The trip was long and
uncomfortable. The one redeeming
feature was the comparatively mild
weather. Snow had stopped falling
and a few days of clear weather had
dried the ground. The tents were
taken down and set up again without
too much difficulty. On the 14th, the
669th and 671st Bomb Squadrons
departed for the new base. They
were the last units to leave and
cleared the field thoroughly. It was to
be occupied by a troop carrier group.
An inspection by the office of the
Inspector General of the 9th
Bombardment Division found the
base in excellent condition when the
416th departed. Our rating later was
changed to "superior".
The advantage to the new base
was immediately apparent. In the
first place, it was only about 100
miles from the Front. In the second
place, the field had frequently been
used as a diversionary field because
the weather usually permitted flying.
With this good weather upon us and
the nearness to the Front lines, our
planes would be able to complete
more missions than at any time
previous. Both living conditions and
office space on the new base offered
many opportunities. We continued to
live in tents, except for the
headquarters personnel who
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, WINTER 2009
occupied a small group of usable
barracks. The Group, which had
occupied the base before us, left
quite a bit of usable lumber and a
few shacks.
This lumber and the shacks were
used for offices in the Squadrons.
Group and Station headquarters took
over a wooden framed building
hidden in the woods at the eastern
end of field. The building had not
been repaired and was in rather poor
condition. French labor was used to
make repairs on it and on other
buildings in the area, making them
usable once more. Someone spoke
the truth when he said that we should
not be called the 416th Bomb Group,
but the 416th Engineering Group. It
seemed that whenever we occupied
a base, we faced the task of almost
completely rebuilding it.
Work progressed rapidly on both
the repairs of the field and the setting
up of the units. Although most of us
had dreaded the thought of moving,
the improved weather made it much
simpler. The living and office sites
were much better than they had been
at StationA-55. And the operational
advantages far overshadowed those
at the former base. All in all, our
future on the new base looked much
brighter.
The extended restriction made
the work of the Special Service
section more important than ever.
Almost as soon as the Group
occupied the new base, Special
Services was showing movies. A
German theatre that had been
----See Birth page 13
111
Some clarification, please
We look forward to receiving
the FLYER and being informed as to
the status of the 9th AFA, Inc.
I share with you my disappointment
in not finding any mention of
the B-26 Martin Marauder Historical
Society which is sponsoring the
Second International Gathering of
Marauder B-26 Eagles in Florida the
week of 27-30 October, 2008. Many
of these Marauder-members are also
proud members of The Nob le Ninth.
For your information the MHS
Gathering in 2009 will be in New
Orleans and 2010 Washington DC
While the dates have not been
established I assume they will be in
early fall and therefore should not be
in conflict to the Ninth AFA convention
in Nashville, 21-24 May, 2009.
It continues to challenge me and
others as to how those of like
mind will meet and developing a
future agreeable arrangement that
would excite all the many Army Air
Corp organizations to meet at the
same place at the same time.
I remain hopeful that the leadership
of the larger, established
organization such as, the NINTH
AFA Inc., would take a leadership
role in consulting and pursuing this
objective with any and all other
organization such as, the Marauder
Historical Society in pursuing and
promoting joint gatherings.
The Ninth met once in concert
with MHS in Dayton and for those
that were not pleased with the
format program or whatever, surely
should speak up as to how any future
gathering should be planned. Many
did express the fact this is the way -
we must combine in planning future
gatherings. The Ninth has now met
with the 39lst Marauder BG in St.
Louis and read that you were looking
forward to meet again. I see that as
positive.
Under Board minutes-
1) Where is the NINTH meeting in
2010, 2011, etc.?
2)The Ninth Board "recommends" to
continue publication of the
9thAFAFLYER should stay the
same. Not sure what that meansDid
not this have the approval of the
board? I would hate to see any
changes in the FLYER as it is a
beautiful publication.
3) Under Scholarships-The Ninth is
incorporated , does it qualify as a 501
c -3 organization?
I read Lloyd Johnson's recent
article, "Our heritage continues with
future generations."As you know,
three of the current MHS Directors
are second generation men. I am
hopeful that the MHS membership
has again voted to add still another
second generation chap to the Board.
Fresh Leadership can only come
from the next generation for any
organization to stay it's mission.
Thank you for the service you
provide to the membership.
David J. Miller
Editor's note-We're sorry you
didn't see the announcement on
page 8 of the 2008 Summer
edition on the Maurader nieeting
in Orlando. Because of space
liniitations, we build announcements
in the form of eighth-toquarter-
page ads, but we are
unable to reprint in advance each
group's reunion agenda. We'd
simply love it if one or two atte1idees
provide The Flyer with a
roundup of the event, pertinent
meetings and of course, wonde1ful
THE NINTH AIR FORCE AssocIATION, WINTER 2009
TravellDg
The Flyer received a
lovely postcard from Cliff Katnz
who was vacationing with his
family on a seven-day cruise to
Alaska. As Cliff was featured on
the cover of our Spring '08
edition, we thought we'd pass it
along.
" ... (we're traveling) by way
of Ketchikan, Juneau and
Skagway on the Princess
Star along with our son and
daughter and their spouses.
It's a bit damp with light rain
but everyody is having a
ball. Enjoying a mini-suite
with a veranda to watch the
world go by. Life is good!"
If you'd like to share your
vacation fun with the Flyer's
readers, simply send a brief
postcard to Editor Karen
Spence at the address located
on page 1. We'd be happy to
publish your good fortune!
adventures you experienced when
it was least expected. Just write
us, please.
------- See Letters page 13
11
ATURE 101
Into Fields offire --------------- A review forwarded by Jan Bos
Into Fields of Fire is written by W. L. George Collins and Austin J. "Buck"
Buchanan on events leading up to D-Day including the heroics of 438th TCG
paratroopers, glider pilots, their crews and support. Published by Xlibris in
2004, Amazan can provide a copy as well as your favorite book retailer.
"Machine gun tracers are seen
... as the enemy begins throwing
lead at us. . . . All we can do is
crouch a little lower, wish our flak
jackets were bigger, and continue to
fly through enemy fire ....
'Our plane is hit very hard in the
tail area. We immediately lose
rudder control and our elevator tab is
not working now.... We manage to
regain control, just in time for our
paratroopers, right over the drop
zone. We flick on the green light, at
0048 hours, June 6, 1944, and the
paratroopers are promptly out the
door ....
"I haven't heard from the crew
chief since we were hit. He soon
comes up to the cockpit. His first
words are, "That's as close as I ever
expect to come to death and live!
" ... our interphone system has
been shot out, our rudder cables are
"Veterans go for free; they have
paid enough with service to their
country." On an Honor Flight trip,
meals, air and ground transportation,
oxygen tanks, and motorized wheelchairs
are all provided. Each flight
has a medical attendant and several
volunteer guardians to help escort the
military honorees.
For more information on this worthwhile
program, visit <honorflight.org>
or call 937.521.2400 or send an e-mail
to info@honorflight.org>
Morse added that, "the newest
initiative of Honor Flight Network is
an endeavor called Flags of Our
12
blown apart, only one elevator cable
is holding, and none of our trim tabs
are working. There is a hole a man
could crawl through in the bottom of
our plane and at least a thousand
holes around the fuselage. The
explosion nearly blew off the whole
tail section .... "
These are words from the first
five paragraphs of the book, Into
Fields of Fire, the story of the lead
group of eighty-one troop carrier
planes that dropped the first load of
American paratroopers onto the soil
of France on D-Day morning, 6 June
1944- the 438th Troop Carrier
Group. They were thus the spearpoint
of the largest and greatest airsea
invasion in world history: the
initial thrust of the massive Allied
forces that would bring freedom,
again, to Europe. The words are
those of Austin J. "Buck" Buchanan,
Heroes in which deceased WWII
veterans are honored by transporting
their personal photo and ceremonial
flag used to drape their coffin to
WashingtonD.C. to be placed at the
base of the memorial. The family
would then receive an 8 X 10 framed
photo and a certificate honoring the
veteran." If you are interested in
honoring a deceased veteran from
your family in this way, contact
flags@honorflight.org or call 937.521.
2400.
Special note: Honorflight.com and
Honorflights.com are not associated
with Honor Flight Network, Inc.
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, WINTER 2009
pilot of the plane named "Cleopatra,"
written down in a notebook he
carried in his shirt pocket, soon after
he and his crew had managed,
barely, to keep their plane flying until
they had it on the ground again at
their home base, Greenham
Common, in England. This was
"Cleopatra's" one and only combat
trip. The plane was so badly shot up
----See Fields page 15
-------Honor from page 3
(honorflight.org). The two aforementioned
sites are for companies that
charge a fee for flights to visit the
WWII Memorial. The flights that
Honor Flight Network provides to
WWII and terminally ill vets are
absolutely free.
Actor Clint Eastwood and
country music star Trace Adldns, both
known for their exceptional support of
American veterans, have each
recently filmed two separate 60
second public service announcements
created to raise money for this
worthwhile endeavor.
partially destroyed was repaired
sufficiently so that in the last week of
February, the "Miles Bell Show"
performed for us. The show was
exceptionally good. The club
occupied two buildings in the
headquarters area. "Babs" and
"Jean" of the Red Cross were
serving doughnuts and coffee from
their truck to the men around the
base as they were at work.
The movement was the big event
of the month for the Group. As far as
personnel were concerned, there
were more changes. Lieutenant
Colonel W.J. Meng, who through his
pleasantness, cooperation, and
excellent work in the air and on the
ground had become almost a legend
in the Group, was transferred on the
27th to the 9th Bombardment
Division where he was appointed Air
Inspector. His departure was
sincerely regretted, but the
opportunity that it afforded him was
well deserved. Major Ferris was
relieved as Group Inspector and
assumed the duties of Commanding
Officer of the 670th Bomb Squadron.
Major Dunn was transferred from
Tail Spin
Congratulations on another
supurb issue of the Ninth Flyei·!
Couldn't have been any nicer; full
of pctures and articles from the
reunion. The front cover floored me
when I saw Stan Stepnitz in the coseat
of that old plane.What a·
wonderful time you all must have
had.
Regarding the photo of the B-26
on page 16 dropping bombs, discussion
was centered on tail insignia
and paint marks. It was actually in
the 496th Squadron of the 344th
Bomb Group.
The 344th had a white triangle
Birth from page 10 Purple Heart, the only Purple Heart
command of the 670th Squadron to of the month. Sgt Walter T.
become Group Operations Officer. Bladykas, a crew chief , was
Within a few days, Lieutenant awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Colonel Radetsky was appointed The war almost stood at a
Deputy Group Commander and Air stalemate by February. The
Inspector. One of the older members Ardennes Bulge was a thing of the
of the Group was transferred to the past. Our troops seemed to be
Zone of the Interior for physical making no effort toward any
reasons. He was Captain William H. offensive. Instead, their gains were
N aier, Group Ordnance Officer. very small, mostly in the central part
There were numerous duty changes of the Front. We watched with great
during February. interest the rapid advances of the
Additionally, we saw several Russian Armies as they drove to
changes in the status of men who within 35 miles of Berlin in the
had been missing in action or Frankfort-Berlin area. One thing
seriously wounded-SS gt H.J. seemed certain from the reports of
Wilde, SS gt R. E. Wright, SSgt S. G. our men who had visited our own
Novak, SS gt C. W. Middleton, SS gt ground forces at the front. There
R. J. Colosimo, and Sgt G. W. Scott, was a large massing of troops and
all went from MIA to POW. Captain equipment all along the Front.
J. F. Meagher, from SWA to EDS; Weather seemed to have delayed the
SS gt A.D. Garrett, from LWS to war so far.
RTD. lLt Jack F. Smith was Here is a resume of our
presented the Distinguished Flying operations for the month of February.
Cross by General Vandenberg at The first mission of the month,
another Base. The usual Air Medals mission No. 198, was an attack on
and Oak Leaf Clusters were the defended village of Schleiden on
awarded to combat crews. the 1st. The one box, led by Lt. Col.
Lieutenant Poundstone received the
Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the
Letters from page 11
on the rudder and the 39lst had a
yellow triangle
Jack J Havener (Lt. Col.-Ret)
Memphis, TN
Editor's note: Jack was kind
enough to send along with his
letter a xeroxed picture of a
niunber of tails and their insignia
but the quality of the line art is
unsuitable for printing. Two web
sites are of interest. The first,
www.b26.com/marauderman which
identifies the picture at right and
check out the work of Mark
Styling who was so gracious to
donate the cover of this edition.
See www.markstyling.com
THE NINTH AIR FoRcE AssocIATION, WINTER 2009
----See Birth page 14
Photo courtesy of B-26.com.and Tom
Smith. Want more? Check out web sites
at left or simply search "B-26" or "344th
Bombardment Squadron." Also look for,
"99th Bombardment Wing" or the "9th
Bomber Command."
13
Willetts, Lt. Royalty, BIN, attacked
the target using PPF technique.
Results were unobserved due to
cloud cover. There was no flak.
The mission on the 2nd was the
opposite of the "milk run" on the 1st.
The target, the Euskirchen supply
center, was attacked visually. The
range of results ran from good to
excellent with hits scored on
buildings, which blocked the roads
and on the roads themselves. It had
been used as an active supply and
housing center for troops enroute to
the front. Ground defenses started
firing at the formation from the
moment it crossed the bomb line until
it came out of enemy territory. It
varied from moderate to intense, but
all of it was accurate. Twenty-two of
the aircraft suffered battle damage-
19 category "A", and three, category
"AC". Lieutenant D. E. Smith was
flying a window plane. On the return
trip he heard an explosion in the rear
compartment. He called his gunners,
but neither of them answered. He
landed the plane safely at A-76. In
the gunners compartment, he found
Sergeant R. DeStafono dead. His
body was badly broken. Only one
small hole was visible in the plane,
but the bulkhead had been sprung by
the force of the unexplained
explosion. The other gunner, Staff
Sergeant D. R. Abriola, was seen to
bail out after the explosion near
Bolbark, in enemy territory, and is
listed as MIA. The boxes, led by
Major Price, Lt. Hand, BIN and
Captain McNulty, Lt. Forma, BIN,
scored good results.
On the 3rd, the Group attacked a
type of target once considered
suitable for the load carried by
"heavies", the storage and repair
depots at Berg/Gladbach. It was one
of the most active depots used by the
Germans, and was considered very
14
Birth from page 13
well defended. The target was just a
few miles east of Cologne. Weather
was very bad so that it was
necessary to bomb on a PPF plane.
Results were unobserved. Moderate,
accurate heavy flak was thrown up
in the target area and four aircraft
suffered battle damage. Only one
box of planes took off; it was led by
Capt. Stebbins, Lt. Calloway, BIN.
One flight got separated from the
formation in the bad weather, but
went in to attack the same target
with the 409th Bomb Group.
Again on the 6th, we attacked
the same target on PPF because of
the cloud cover. Although there were
no observations of the results, photo
reconnaissance found a factory and
three large buildings damaged. A
double track railroad between the
target and Rosrath had been cut by
three direct hits and through traffic
was impossible. Another road had
also been cut. There was weak,
inaccurate flak at the target.
The big day arrived on the 8th.
After an aerial barrage similar to that
of St. Lo, the Canadian First Army
was to step off in an offensive that
was soon to reach the Rhine
northwest of Dusseldorf. Weather
again was very bad, but our planes
went in to do an excellent job. A
letter of commendation was received
on the bombing. The mission marked
the first time that we had bombed
equipped solely withA-26's. The
new A-26C with the glass nose led
the flights_ and boxes. The planes
carried 280-lb. fragmentation bombs,
dropping by the Group.
The mission had been flown in
the span of a few days more than
last month. Col. Willetts, with Lt.
Royalty and Lt. Muir, BIN, had the
pleasure of leading the mission.
Captain Pair, Lt. Corum, BIN, led the
second box. While returning to the
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION' w INTER 2009
base, Lt. C. H. Stead called the
control tower saying that he and only
a few minutes fuel left. It was the
last word heard from him. The plane
was found later in a field near Villers
St. George, where it had crashed. Lt.
Stead was killed. His gunner, Sgt.
C.E. Tranchina, was seriously injured
and died the next day. Their bodies
were interred at the American
Military Cemetery, Solars Seine et
Marae, France.The mission was
successful and marked the beginning
of a series of attacks all along the
Front.
On the following day, while the
668th and 670th Bomb Squadron
were packing their equipment
preparatory to moving, two boxes of
aircraft took off to attack the
Kempen communications center. The
PPF plane did not drop and in the
bad weather, the formation split up.
Only one aircraft attacked the
primary target with Gee equipment.
Three aircraft attacked the town of
Lichenare on Gee equipment.
Nineteen aircraft dropped on ETA, in
the vicinity of Scherfede. The
formation encountered moderate
accurate flak from Cologne and
intense accurate flak from
Dusseldorf and Dortmund. Six
aircraft received category "A"
damage. One plane, with Capt. H.
M. Borman as pilot and Sgt. R. J.
----See Birth page 15
B 26 from page 6
February, 1946, transferred, without
personnel and equipment, to the US.
At the war's end, the 344th was
deactivated on 31March,1946.
The last bombing mission by a
Martin B-26 Marauder Group was
that flown on May 1, 1945 by the
17th Bomb Group 1st Tactical Air
Force. They bombed the gun
positions on the Isle d'Oleron,
France.
I
.. 1
Perujo as gunner, was forced down
by battle damage, which caused loss
of gas at A-54. The nose wheel
broke landing when the plane hit
some buckled steel planldng on the
runway. The plane piloted by L.
E.Cannon, with S/Sgt. J.W. Robinson
as gunner, also crash-landed. They
were forced down in a field just
inside the bomb line. None of the
crews were injured. Capt. Stebbins,
Lt. Calloway, BIN, and Capt. Evans,
Lt. McCartney, BIN, were the box
leaders.
The following day, the 10th,
military installations east of
Munstereifel were attacked through
clouds on PPF. A break in the clouds
allowed the crews to see the results,
which were excellent.
The following mission, on the
13th, was carried out by PPF in an
attack on the motor transport center
at Iserlohn. Unable to find the fighter
escort, the formation attacked a
secondary target on PPF, the town of
Wittlich. An almost solid cloud cover
prevented any observation of the
ensuing results.
Two missions took off to attack
targets in Germany on the 14th. In
the morning, the armored motor
vehicle repair depot at Mechornich
was attacked. The first box, led by
Col. Willetts, with Lts. Royalty and
Bas nett as B and N, dropped on their
PPF plane. The leader of the second
box, Capt. Pair, with Lts. Corum and
Pair as Band N, was unable to
release his bombs. He peeled away
form the formation after he had
attempted a second run on Gee
equipment unsuccessfully. The
deputy leader took over and led the
box east toward the Rhine, where he
made a sweeping turn and headed
back to our lines. The second box
encountered moderate to intense
accurate flak from the moment it left
Birth from page 14
the target area until it reached
friendly territory. Ten aircraft
suffered battle damage. The eleventh
aircraft, believed hit by flak, was last
seen going down in flames in the
vicinity of Heinersheim. One chute
emerged. Photos showed a large
freight station severely damaged and
two smaller buildings damaged. At
least 18 goods wagons were badly
damaged or burned out, and three rail
lines in the sidings were knocked out.
At least two hits were scored on the
roof on well-camouflaged concrete
buildings which were partly
underground.
That afternoon, an ammunition
dump in the woods near Rheinbach
was attacked with excellent to
superior results. Bright flashes in the
target area indicated that some
ammunition was hit. When it was
decided to bomb by boxes, one flight
did not receive the message.
Because of the haze, it attacked the
town of Ludendorf as a casual
target. Moderate accurate flak was
fired at the formation on the target
and on the turnoff, but all planes
returned safely.
The ordnance depot at U nna
was the target on the 16th. Moderate
to intense accurate flak followed the
planes on their bomb run over the
target, and on the turnoff. The most
intense flak seemed to be coming
from Dortmund and Hann. The PPF
plane was hit by flak and dropped on
the town of Amen, two miles NW of
the primary target, with excellent
results. One flight, realizing that the
PPF plane was dropping early, tried
to pick up the target alone. A thick
haze prevented recognition. They
bombed the town of Kid Kaisearan
with excellent results. Going in on the
bomb run, the plane flown by F/O W.
D. Wilson, with Sgt. E. F. Eerkes
gunner, was seen to nose up and then
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, WINTER 2009
Field from page 12
it was later towed to the salvage
yard.
Two Ponca City residents
served with this 438th Troop
Carrier Group: George Collins, the
compiler-editor of this book, and
Harold Taylor: both served with the
87th Troop Carrier Squadron, the
lead squadron of this group.
Another Ponca City resident, Jake
McNiece, was dropped in by a
Pathfinder plane shortly ahead of
this massive armada of planes and
gliders carrying paratroopers, glider
troops, and their supplies into the
fields of Normandy, ahead of the
Allied troops who would storm the
beaches named Utah, Omaha,
Sword, Juno, and Gold later that DDay
morning.
Autographed copies available
fivm the author: W. L. GeorRe
Collins,
start downward, still under control. It
went in the clouds at 6,000 feet and
has not been heard from since. At
about the same time, Lt. J. F. Allen's
plane received a hit in his engine. He
continued with the formation but was
forced to salvo his bombs before the
target and started back alone. He
flew north to clear the Rhine Valley
and called for a heading home. A
voice over the radio told him that he
was in friendly territory. Just then,
about 20 bursts of flak came up off
his tail. He headed west until he
found what looked to be a friendly
airfield and started to circle it. Not
until he heard what sounded like a
German accent did he realize how
close he was to more danger. Finally,
a British fighter field contacted him
----See Birth page 16
15
and more. So much more, in fact,
that his own memorabilia collection
grew to a point that something had to
be done. And thus was born the idea
for a museum.
Dedicated to the generation he
credits with "saving the world," the
museum has been a costly effort for
Stoli who formerly was a banker
who retired and opened the Playhouse/
Museum complex in 1995.
One of his most prized displays is
a wedding dress made from a white
silk parachute that had saved the life
of the groom. This soldier's B-25
bomber was shot down over
Guadalcanal in 1943.
Stoli is in the process of boxing
up much of his collection. His lease
expired the end of December. He
claims he's lost around $30,000 on
the project, but has kept it open far
and Mark McClurkin. She also is
active in some of the online military
forums like B26.com and
ArmyAirForces.com. Many photos
of John McClurldn are posted on the
B26.com web site and may be found
at: b26.com/marauderman/
john_nicclurkin.htm.
Always a good sport, Lora Beth
accompanied her tireless daughter.
Following in her father's footsteps,
Nancy always carried a camera.
She took pictures of everything
from place settings in a famous
restaurant to the Catch-of-the-Day
near Ft. Walton Beach, FL, not to
mention everything and everybody
in between.
She did not serve in the military
but she displayed great compassion
for those wearing the uniform. And
she was a devoted member of our
16
longer than he'd have liked. Closing
it means an extra $2,500 in rent he
won't have to pay each month.
He plans to return those items
which were lent to him, but about
two-thirds of the displays and
artifacts from this one-of-a-kind
'teaching museum' will be stored. He
hopes those items, including a framed
$1 bill signed by NY Yankees pitcher
"Lefty" Gomez and actor Humphry
Bogart during a USO show, will find
a permanent home and remain on
public display.
Also featured is a blown-up
reproduction of a photo taken from a
Japanese plane during the bombing
of Pearl Harbor. He claimed enemy
torpedoes had just hit the West
Virginia when that shot was taken
and the Arizana already had begun
to list.
Sisters from page 5
If you happen to have any
other information, photos, or
personal stories that you would like
to share with Dora and her family
regarding their father, please
contact the webmaster at B26.com
who will pass on the information .
Remembering from page 2
organization. Leaving so suddenly
and unexpectedly has created a
shock wave throughout our membership.
Nancy left behind a wonderful
legacy of happiness, positive ideas
and thoughts, kindness and love.
Perhaps Lora Beth said it best when
she remarked, "Heaven will never be
the same!"
We extend our deepest sympathy
to Lora Beth, brother Gerry, all
family members and friends at large.
THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION' WINTER 2009
Windload from page 1
At 55, Stoli is too young to have
known any of it first hand; but he
knows what American forces have
done to preserve his particular way
of life. His only goal was to inake
sure everyone knows that if America
hadn't stepped up, we'd be living in a
different world.
I left no less than a dozen
messages on a recorder that serves
his theater to no avail. I couldn't
even determine whether any of his
artifacts are 9th AF related. But
some of you may have an idea or
two for this guy. There's no listed
home phone so it seems his cell
phone is his lifeline (which I don't
have) but, the number that serves his
theater and what's left of the museum
is 210-408-0116. Perhaps you'll
have better luck than I.
-----Birth from page 15
; and led him in. He landed safely.
There, he was told he'd been flying
•through some of the "hottest" flak
areas in that section. He also
learned that the Germans had been
l trying, unsuccessfully, for some time
, to cut in on radio communications.
On the 19th, the attack on the
Wiesbaden ordnance depot had to be
made on PPF. There were no
observations of the results. Flak at
the target was weak and inaccurate
and there was no battle damage.
Two missions were flown on the
21st. Road bridges at Geldem were
the targets, with only two flights
taking off. The first flight, made two
runs on the target but was unable to
synchronize. On the third run, the
fixed angle bomb and hit
Morewhite-knuckle actioo during ,
Feb. '45 will befeaturedin
The Fly~r's next··issue.!
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