Squeaky 135 Posted July 15, 2017 Report Share Posted July 15, 2017 Hello: I want to share how I met a one of our nation's heroes today. A new patient at my hospital is a former B-17 crewmember. He said he was with the 303rd Bomb Group out of England. Man ... this guy saw a lot of action in the air. He actually fired .50 caliber guns at Luftwaffe fighters. Of course, it wasn't fun having them shooting back at you. He literally kicked hung bombs out, and experienced belly landings too. It was a miracle he was never wounded, but came awfully close many times. Of course, he saw many who weren't as lucky. He said he'll never forget seeing bullet holes and 20mm shell holes in his plane. Flak still makes him nervous. It bugged him to learn many flak towers still exist. He really appreciated me taking the time to talk with him. He was surprised someone knew what a B-17 was and what the various crew positions were. My having taken a ride in a B-24 once broke the ice. He's in his nineties and I fear he's probably the last W.W.II air war vet I'll ever meet. There was well deserved pride in his eyes. Our chat made his day despite being in a hospital. I told the nurses to pay extra attention to him. 11 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted July 15, 2017 Report Share Posted July 15, 2017 That was awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlackHeart762 288 Posted July 16, 2017 Report Share Posted July 16, 2017 Called The Greatest generation....because they Were! Our current generation, with a few exceptions, is not fit to lick their boots. We are all diminished with the passing of each and every one. BH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Nemo 882 Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 The only thing my father shot down was a towed target during gunnery school. He was a B24 radar navigator. They dropped the bomb, and dad's orders for Tinian got canceled. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 (edited) I met a WW2 Navy Vet, in a bookstore isle, 20 years ago. He pointed out some deceased friends on a book cover. We parted company and then I went back and thanked him. He snapped me a teary-eyed salute, did an about-face and, walked away without saying a word. I understand how he felt now. I do not want to be thanked for serving my country. Edited July 30, 2017 by Sim_Player Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 Dad worked in the Naval Gun Factory, Wash, D.C. he made 16" gun barrels and the bomb casings for Fat Man and Little Boy. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.