1

Gus Wendt ends his tenureas Executive Director /

Treasurer of the 455th BombGroup Association

It was truly a sad dayearly this year when ourExecutive Director / TreasurerLt. Col. Gus Wendt asked to bereplaced after eight years in thatposition. Gus had representedthe 455th Bomb Group acrossour nation. He has traveledfrom California to Virginia as ourrepresentative, and when wevoted to install 455th BombGroup plaques in such places asthe March AFB Museum inCalifornia, Cannon AFB, N.M.(birth place of of the 455th B.G.),and our training base at LangleyAFB Virginia, Gus was ourrepresentative.

(continued, next page, middle column)

In This Edition

Can You Help ? -- P. 3,5,6

Greg Riggs’ Message -- P. 4

Final Flights -- P. 7-8

Tribute to George Crum -- P. 8

A Voice from the Past -- P. 9

Sixty year Homeward Journeyfor a WWII Aviator -- P. 10

Don Anderton crew -- P. 13

Diamond Lil’ -- P. 14-15

Bill Heitkamp’s First B24 Flightin Sixty Years -- P. 16

Richard Pelosi & “Ten Hits anda Miss” -- P. 16-17

Frank Lashinsky -- P. 18

A Soldier’s Christmas -- P. 19

A Chance Meeting -- P. 20-21

Reunion 2005 -- P. 22-23

455th BG History & CerignolaConnection Archives CD --

Back Page

President's MessageWilliam Gemmill, Lt. Col (ret.)

Editor’s Note: This column wassubmitted prior to the 455th BG

Association reunion in Kansas City,Missouri ...

Our reunion in KansasCity is fast approaching, and Isincerely hope to see a goodrepresentation of 455th’ers atThe Westin Crown Center onOctober 19-23. It will beinteresting to again be side-by-side with the 454th ... sort of“de-ja-vu all over again”.

The Armed ForcesReunion folks have again done amasterful job, and the fact thatthe Collings Foundation'sLiberator (and that “other”bomber) will be in Kansas Citywill be the icing on the cake.

(continued, next page, left column)

C E R I G N O L AC O N N E C T I O N

455th Bomb Group Association Newsletter

Fall, 2005 Editor, Craig Ward, 813 Peterstow Drive, Euless, Texas 76039phone: (817) 540-1068 email: aphp@comcast.net website: www.awardphp.com

President’s Message (cont.)

You all received the455th 2005 Reunion Packagefrom Greg Riggs, our newlyappointed Executive Director.

Our ever-faithfulExecutive Director andTreasurer, Gus Wendt, found itnecessary to relinquish thoseheavy reins after serving ourAssociation for many years.Let's face it, we're all getting abit long in the tooth!

We will hopefully get tohonor Gus in Kansas City for hisloyal service.

You will remember GregRiggs from our last reunion inOrlando. He is the son of former455 President Ed Riggs. Greg,along with our very capableeditor of the CerignolaConnection, Craig Ward, werevoted into our ranks as full-fledged members in Orlando.

When it becamenecessary to find a replacementfor Gus, Colonel Gregory Riggsstepped forward. As yourPresident, I appointed Greg toimmediately assume theposition so capably filled by Gusin the past.

Frankly, I don't know if allthe "t's" were crossed or all the"i’s" were dotted when it came toour Association's by-laws, butI'm sure it will all come out in thewash at our Board of Directorsmeeting in October in KansasCity!

Gus Wendt (cont.)

Gus never missed areunion in all those eight yearsand was always at the boardmeetings with a fine report of hisactivities and an up-to-dateTreasurer’s report. He traveledthousands of miles to representus, many times at his ownexpense, and always displayedthe highest degree of integrityand honesty in his oral andwritten reports.

He served under fourPresidents of the Bomb GroupAssociation, and always with thesame enthusiasm and vigor.

Gus joined the 741stBomb Squadron in March, 1944.He earned the DistinquishedFlying Cross and five Air Medalsin combat. He flew many of thetoughest missions that wereassigned to the 455th B.G.

After completing his tourof combat, Gus returned to theUSA for various otherassignments in the USAF.

He married his lovely wifeMarie in 1949, and retired fromthe USAF in 1966. Gus andMarie were two early memberswhen the 455th Bomb GroupAssociation was formed atColorado Springs.

On behalf of all membersof the 455th Bomb GroupAssociation, we extend a big“Thank You” to Gus Wendt for ajob well done!

Can You Help?

Dear Editor,I am sending an

improved drawing of Sky Wolf. I have one question. On

June 26, 1944, 455th BGLiberators were attacked by Me410s. Can you please sendme some details, memories orexcerpts from a mission reportrelated to this attack?

Which planes were lostdue to these twin enginedfighters? Are any crew names,photos of planes, or photos ofcrewmembers available?

I am researching actionsof Me410s in the summer of1944. There were only sixmissions during which theseaircraft attacked 15th AFaircraft. This June 26 missionseems to be the biggest one!Best Regards,Peter Kassakpkassak@yahoo.com

2

Aviation WisdomThere is no reason to fly

through a thunderstorm inpeacetime.

Aviation Truism

The three most commonexpressions ...

or famous last words ...in aviation are:

"Why is it doing that?""Where are we?"

and"Oh, Sh..!"

Can You Help ?

Dear Editor:In reading the article (last

newsletter) about the World WarII memorial in Washington, DC,and the meeting of Ed Foley(741st) and Howard Cooper(740th), I was not aware of the455 BG insignia that Foley woreon his cap.

Is there anyway I canobtain one for myself?Sincerely,Al Klinek (743rd)6798 Meadowwood DriveMayfield Village, OH 44143

Can You Help? Results from a

previous column request

Dear Editor,We now have five good,

solid, eyewitnesses to the crashof Lt. Harris. Your newsletterhas been unbelievably effective.

I have published noticeslike this in other BG newsletters,and have NEVER found fivegood witnesses.

Each of these vets havesome very solid recollections ofwhat happened that day.

They pretty much allagree that Harris may havebeen on a couple of priormissions but this was mostly thefirst one with his own crew.

There are other photosout there showing the wreckagefrom other angles. Two of thevets promised to make mecopies.

One witness says thatthe first men on the scene knewthat at least one person insidewas still alive and "sufferingbadly". As soon as the men thatwere able to get out of theaircraft by themselves wereevacuated, everyone wasordered away from the aircraftbecause the plane was loadedwith time-fused bombs.

They had to leave at leastone man to die, pinned inside.

The plane stood like thatfor several hours before it wasdeemed safe enough toapproach.

I have also obtainedsome other USAAF files while Iawait others. When everythingfinally comes together, I'lldonate an article for you to useabout this tragedy/crash.Best Regards,Brian Lindner

3

455TH BOMB GROUPASSOCIATION, INC.P.O. BOX 93095AUSTIN, TX. 78709-3095

PRESIDENTWilliam B. Gemmill, IILt. Col. USAF Ret.11294 Richford LaneSpring Hill, FL. 34609VICE PRESIDENTRodrick W. ClarkeCol. USAF Ret.EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR /TREASURERGregory Riggs Col. USAF Ret.P.O. Box 93095Austin, TX. 78709-3095SECRETARYJim SmithT/Sgt. USAAFPAST PRESIDENTFrancis J. LashinskyS/Sgt. USAAF

DIRECTORSJohn F. DavisCol. USAF Ret.James D. GouldMaj. USAF Ret.Carl LoiocanoT/Sgt. USAAFOrmond BuffingtonT/Sgt. USAAFTed TronoffLt. USAAFBill CrawfordMaj. USAF Ret.Carl BarrMaj. USAF Ret.Elmo HenskeLt. USAAFGeorge UnderwoodCapt. USAAFCraig WardEditor, Cerignola Connection817-540-1068

2006 B-24 LiberatorWall Calendar

Each page is 11” x 14”, andopens up to 22” x 14”. Eachmonth’s calendar isaccompanied by a differentpicture of a B-24 Liberator.

Send a check for $12.45($13.41 in CA.), which includespostage & handling, to:

Bomber Legends1672 Main Street, Ste. E-124Ramona, CA. 920651-866-788-3624

4

A Message From Gregory RiggsExecutive Director / Treasurer of the 455th BG Association

I assumed the responsibilities of Executive Director / Treasurer from Gus Wendt on May 30,2005. Gus' health had taken a sudden turn for the worse, and it became necessary for him to passthe baton. First, it is appropriate to thank Gus for his eight years of dedicated service to theassociation in this position. It is a demanding job, and as you know, Gus worked tirelessly at it. Hewill be a tough act to follow.

I am a second-generation association member. I started attending reunions in 2001 followingmy retirement from the Air Force. I consider it a privilege to serve the generation who preserved ournation's freedom and passed that along to my generation.

Approximately 130 people attended our reunion in Kansas City. Let me summarize a few itemsof business that was conducted at several board and membership meetings:

(1) The requirement to have ten directors was modified to permit between six and ten directors.(2) The association will function as a clearinghouse of contact information for association

members. In other words, we will help members stay in touch with one another by providing names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses if we have them. Be assured that we are not going to sell mailing lists. This is just a way to help friends find friends. However, if you do not want your contact information shared, please let meknow in writing. I will keep confidential anyone's contact information who does not wantit to be available for sharing.

(3) Speaking of addresses, please let me know anytime your address changes. We spend between $100 and $160 with the USPS each year because some addresses are no longer current. This is a simple way you can help our association save money.

(4) Another way to help the association financially is to stay current in your dues. Response to our last plea for support in this area was gratifying, and we now have thirteen additional life members since our last newsletter.

Our reunion was a great chance for our association members to visit with old friends and tomake new ones. The Collings Foundation flew in their B-24 and B-17. At least three of our members'sons took flights in the Liberator! Our finale was the Saturday evening banquet. Lt. General (Ret)Mike Short spoke to us about the status of air power today, connecting the foundation the 455thpioneered with air power's foreseeable future. Gen Short was Director of Operations for U.S. AirForces in Europe during the Bosnia conflict, and he was commander of 16th Air Force during theSerbia Air War. He continues to advise the Air Force as a Senior Mentor.

The next reunion is scheduled for 2007. Following that reunion, our plan is to move to annualreunions. We will explore joining forces with other 15th Air Force bomb group associations to keepour reunion numbers strong. The test case this year with the 454th Bomb Group was successful. Thelocation for the 2007 reunion has not yet been established, but mark your calendars now to be there.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve the members of our association.

Sincerely,Gregory RiggsCol. USAF Ret.

455th BG Association Executive Director / Treasurer

Can You Help?

Dear Editor,I am trying to get some

information concerning myfather, who was a radar officer(ultimate rank, Captain) with the454th Bomb Group between1944 - 1945.

I contacted the historianof the 454th. He said that,based on his records, my father"was assigned to the 455thBomb Group, who sharedparallel runways with us. Theirlocation was on the other side ofa large farm near Cerignola.”

According to the roster,he was assigned to the 741stSquadron. His name appearson page 271 of the GroupHistory "Flight of the VulgarVultures, 1943-1945."

My dad's recollection wasthat he was originally assignedto the 455th as a 2nd Lt., butthat the 455th already had aradar officer, Harold Glick. Aftera short time, he was re-assignedto the 454th. Do you have anyinformation on this?

I have located all of mydad's papers, and I see thataccording to his service record,he was assigned to the 738thBomb Squadron of the 454thBomb Group from Sept. 14,1944 to Dec. 7, 1944, as RadarOfficer. From Dec. 8, 1944, toMay 6, 1945, he was with the741st Bomb Squadron of the455th Bomb Group as GroupElectronics Officer.

Any information yourreadership could provide mewould be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Joseph T. Moldovan, Partner Morrison Cohen, LLP909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022-4731 Tel: 212.735.8603 jmoldovan@morrisoncohen.com

Can You Help?

Dear Editor,I don't know how many of

you with e-mail addresses in thenewsletter responded to ViliamBlaknik, but I have found it veryinteresting.

He got me an enlargedpicture of the plane our crewflew, the Linda Ann, #492.

When I looked at thatphoto presented at full screensize on the computer, it mademe feel like I was standing thereon the hard stand and looking ather 60 years ago.

Viliam is writing about ourbombing near Dubova, Odertaland Bleckhammer, which weresome of our longest androughest missions. He sent mesome close-up ground photos of destruction of the synthetic oilplant at Dubova, Slovakia.Some bombs did hit the target.

He also mentioned aSlovakian uprising inSeptember, 1944. Fifteenth AirForce planes flew in to rescuedowned air crew members heldby the Slovakian underground. Ihad never heard about theseevents before.

He is very interested inbomb- fall photos. If anyone hassome, please forward them tome. I will make sure he receivesthem for inclusion in his book.

Charles E. Stark (740)carbchar@comcast.net

Can You Help?

My name is GaborHorvath, an aviation historianfrom Canada. My research areais the history and planes of the15th AF in Italy in 1944-45,including the planes of the 455thBomb Group.

Recently, I am working ona graphical project,reconstructing the historicallyaccurate color profiles of the455th BG B-24G,H,J,L,Maircraft.

I have many greatphotos, memories, etc., but onlya few mention the planes'accurate fuselage (battle)numbers they wore betweentheir waist gun position and thetail section. On OD planes itwas white, on natural metalplanes, this was black.

Do you or yourreadership have a resource thatcould help me in my research ...matching a plane's nose art to acolor, serial number, and to theassigned pilot?

Example: Nose Art: 'YO-YO', S/N: 44-41199, black#31, etc.

Any help would be muchappreciated. Thank you.

Sincerely,Gabor Horvathgghs@hotmail.com

5

You have never lived until youhave almost died.

For those who fought for it,freedom has a flavor the

protected will never know.

Anonomous

Can You Help?

Dear Editor,I was happy to find the

history of the 455th BombGroup on your website:

www.awardphp.com/455th_BG_History.php

My father, John Frantz,served in the unit. He died in1991.

I'm trying to get moreinformation on his service. Itappears he was in the 740thSquadron.

I think he was amechanic. While going throughthe 455th BG History posted onyour website, I saw a photo ofthe 740th squadronmaintenance personnel on page182. The resolution isn't thebest.

Do you have a higherresolution image of this photo,or if you know where I could getone? I would be happy to payfor a copy.

I was hoping that eithermy mom or myself could identifymy dad in the photo.

I appreciate any helpyou or your readership couldprovide.

Regards,Steven Frantz10804 Lakespring WayHunt Valley, MD 21030phone: 410-440-7423

Can You Help?

Dear Editor, I am an aviation artist

completing a painting for aformer 455th BG copilot,commissioned by one of hisdaughters.

Since it is supposed to bea surprise, I can't dig on himdirectly for any additionalinformation, However, the onephoto I have to work fromappears to be a 743rd BS (not a742nd) aircraft.

Although most of therudder has been "clipped" in thephoto, it appears the squadronmarking is a black horizontalstripe like the 743rd, rather thenthe diagonal one like the 742nd.

Another contact told methat is was not uncommon foraircraft to be shuffled betweenthe four squadrons dependingon attrition, replacements, etc. Iassume this may be the casewith his aircraft, but I can't besure.

Any more information youcan furnish would be deeplyappreciated.

Sincerely,Gerry Asher6837 Northpark DriveFort Worth TX 76180-2669

Memorial Day, May, 2005Nettuno Anzio

American Cemetery

Olimpio Guidi,representative of the DefenseDepartment, and attached to theAmerican Embassy in Rome,along with personal friend andformer ambassador, George

McGovern, invited MarioCapocefalo to attend theMemorial Day ceremony.

The current Americanambassador read a messagefrom President Bush praisingthose that gave the supremesacrifice to liberate Europe fromtyranny.

When Mario goes to visitthese beautiful sites, he alwaysplaces flowers on the gravesitesof his fallen friends killed inaction. In particular, Mario paidhis respects to 2nd Lt. Gerald C.Thaxton, 454th Bomb Group,737 Bomb Squadron, from SanAntonio, Texas. Lt. Thaxton waskilled in action over Ploesti onhis 6th mission, May 18th, 1944.

Upon Jerry’s death,Mario was bequeathed Lt.Thaxton's personal effects.

To this day, Mariocherishes these remembrances,and proudly displays them toformer flyers when they visitCerignola.

6

God grants liberty only to thosewho love it and are always

ready to guard and defend it.

- Daniel Webster

Mario Capocefalo of Cerignola, Italy,visiting the Anzio grave of Lt. GeraldThaxton (Texas native), 454th BG,

killed in action, May 18, 1944.

Final Flights

Lt. Charles Fredrickson (743)Lt. Fredrickson, 80, of

Woodland Hills, Calif., diedFebruary 26, 2005. He servedas a navigator on a B24 bomber.He flew 31 missions out of SanGiovanni Field in Cerignola.

He was shot down7/27/1944 and captured the nextday outside of Budapest,Hungary. He was held prisonerfor nine months. He spent eightmonths in German POW camps.

He received the followingmedals: Purple Heart, Prisonerof War, Air Medal andPresidential Unit Citation.

Burial was at ArlingtonNational Cemetery March 30,2005 with full Air Force honors.He is survived by his wife of 55years, Jeanne, two sons andtwo daughters.

Col. Charles Painter (741)Col. Charles W. Painter,

Jr. passed away in December,2004. Col. Painter’s wife,Margaret Painter, is an activemember of the 455th BGAssociation.

Col. Painter’s daughter,Christine Painter, has beentrying to contact some of his oldfriends, but has hit a few deadends. If you would like tocontact Christine, please emailher at the following address:(painter1112@comcast.net).

Editor’s Note: If you don’t haveaccess to email, mail yourcorrespondence to your editorat the address in this newsletter.I will make sure Christinereceives it.

Editor’s 2nd Note: Col. Painterwas described in the book “TheWild Blue” as “one of the bestpilots in the 741st BS & the455th BG”.

T/Sgt. Angelo Marcotrigiano (741)T/Sgt. Marcotrigiano

passed away March 26, 2005.He was 83 years old.

Sgt. Marcotrigiano was aradio operator / gunnernicknamed "Trigger". His planewas named the BTO (“Big TimeOperator”) B-24J #42-78504.

The crew of BTO was:Pilot: Captain Bill JerchelleCo-Pilot: Lt. Lloyd ReynoldsNavigator: Captain John L.ClarkBombardier: Lt. John CroplinRadio Operator/Gunner: T/Sgt.Angelo Marcotrigiano (Trigger)Gunners: S/Sgt. Fred Francis,S/Sgt. Art Holloway, S/Sgt.George Hofer, T/Sgt. Lou Kent

On Mission # 198 overMoosbierbaum, his plane tookheavy flak, destroying the noseof the plane. They made it toBari without brakes or a nosewheel. They used parachutesfor brakes, and ended upstanding on its nose, the tailpointed staight up.

Sgt. Marcotrigiano savedJohn Croplin’s life on thismission, but did not receive theDFC.

M/Sgt. James J.O’Boyle (743)

On Friday, April 29,2005,James J. O'Boyle, Sr. ofPhoenix, Arizona, went on hisfinal flight ...

Destination HEAVEN...His wife was at his side at the

moment of his passing. Theyhad just celebrated 58 years ofmarriage three days earlier.

Lt. Galand Douglas (743)Lt. Douglas, bombardier

on Ed Dahl’s crew, took his finalflight on Sept. 19, 2005.

Lt. John Brett (743)Lt. Brett, navigator on Ed

Dahl’s crew, took his final flightearlier this year.

Capt. George Crum (742)Capt. George Wilbur

Crum, of La Habra, passedaway peacefully on July 11,2005. He was 85.

Born in Provo, Utah, in1919, Mr. Crum was a Captainin the U.S. Army Air Corps inWWII and served withdistinction as a B-24 bomberpilot in Europe.

George is survived by hiswife of 59 years, Sheila, his son,Norman, and his daughter, Sally.

George Crum (above),circa 1943

7

Editor’s Note: See the nextpage for an article written by theson of Capt. Crum, regarding anevening of baseball and a tributehonoring his late father.

San Francisco Giants HonorCaptain George W. Crum

As the largest Chevronretail marketer on the WestCoast, I was asked to throw outthe first pitch at "ChevronFireworks Night" at SBC Park inSan Francisco on Tuesday, July19, 2005. After my dad'spassing on July 11th, the funeralon the 16th and all the eventsand emotions surrounding sucha time, it was nice to get awayand do something fun.

Little did I know that a fewof my employees had gotten intouch with Chevron and theGiants regarding my dad'spassing and had cooked-up aspecial tribute in his honor.

My wife and I, my twosons, my daughter-in-law, acousin, and a few keyemployees arrived at theballpark nice and early on abeautiful, cool evening. We haddinner on the club level andwere then escorted down to thefield level.

We stood along the fencebetween home plate and theGiants' dugout for about 15minutes while the infield wascleared, the national anthemwas sung, and the crowd waswelcomed by the public addressannouncer.

Then, "Lou Seal," theGiants' mascot, came over andaccompanied me to the mound.The Atlanta Braves were theevening's opponents and a fullhouse (43,000) was expected.

Everyone had told methat, whatever else happened, Imust NOT bounce the ball tohome plate. If I did, I'd probablybe booed by the crowd.

I'd warmed up a fewtimes in the previous days withmy son and was feeling prettyconfident … the old left arm stillhad some pop in it.

As Lou Seal comicallyaccompanied me out to themound, I said to him, "Any lastbit of advice? I'm feeling prettynervous." From deep inside themascot's head came the words,"Just don't bounce it." Oh,thanks … like I hadn't heardTHAT before!

I walked up the pitcher'smound, turned around andcaught the full effect of standingin that special place in front of asold-out stadium. People werestill filing in, but it was gettingpretty packed and noisy.

Everything was ready for"the pitch." Then I heard theannouncer proclaim, "Now, inhonor of a true American hero,Captain George Crum, a WWIIbomber pilot who passed awaylast week, his son Norman willthrow out the first pitch!"

I was astonished.

I looked at my wife, andshe motioned urgently to thecenter field scoreboard. I turnedaround and there it was … ajumbo-sized picture of my dad,circa 1943, with him standingproudly in front of his B-24.

I couldn't believe it. The whole stadium rose

to their feet and applauded.What a moment. With no fear ornervousness at all, I reared-back and chucked the ballsquarely over the plate. As I ranoff the field, the catcher caughtup to me, placed the ball in myhand and said,"Congratulations. You must bevery proud."

I was, indeed.My dad was a humble

person, really. He never calledattention to himself and, if hewas somehow able to look downon the scene, I'm sure he wasthoroughly embarrassed.

However, it was not onlya tribute to him, but to all theveterans of WWII and the othermembers of The GreatestGeneration. I'm very thankful tomy employees, Chevron, andthe San Francisco Giants formaking this special occasionpossible.

Best Regards,Norm Crum

Email: norman.crum@vpps.net.

8

Basic Flying Rule

Try to stay in the middle of theair. Do not go near the edgesof it. The edges of the air can

be recognized by theappearance of ground,

buildings, sea, trees andinterstellar space. It is much

more difficult to fly there.

A Voice From the Past by Alfred (A1) Asch

Naomi was going throughher files a few days ago (whichshe has maintained for some 61years). She found the followingletter dated November 20, 1988written by Marge Cool, the wifeof the late Colonel KennethCool, our first GroupCommanding Officer.

We share this letter withyou as it has information aboutColonel and Mrs. Cool'sactivities after the Colonel leftItaly and the 15th Air Force.

The letter is quoted here:

Dear Naomi and A1, Thank you for your

beautiful letter. I am now havingmy own version of 'War andRemembrance'.

I very well remember thattrip to Alamagordo. (Naomi andMrs. Cool drove together fromOrlando to Almagordo and thento Salt Lake City.) I felt so sorryfor you for you were really ill. Iremember the blackout alongthe Gulf and not being able toget a hotel room in Salt LakeCity.

We had to stay in aboarding house in Ogdon. Wewere afraid we were in a 'houseof ill repute' and moved thedresser in front of the door tokeep anyone out.

Over the years, we haveseen the Harris's, the John’sand Uppie. We became goodfriends of General Upthegroveand his wife. His wife Sally dieda number of years ago. He laterremarried, but since then, wedidn't see much of him, althoughwe kept in touch.

Just talked yesterdaywith Ad Baker's wife. He wentdown on that big Ploesti raid. Hetook over the 93rd and Kencame home to start the newgroup (455th).

A brief summary of ourlife follows:

Our daughter Nancy livesoutside of Philadelphia, sonDenny in Columbus and sonKenny here in Cleveland. Wehave ten grandchildren and sixgreat-grandchildren.

When Col. Cool camehome from Italy, he spent sixmonths in the hospital with abad knee, fever and what-not.While there he decided to quitflying and take up sailing. Wehad a 36 ft. sailboat and spent14 fun-filled years, racing andcruising with it. After that, Kendidn't feel sure-footed enough tohandle the boat so he went intoold cars. I didn't care about thattoo much.

We had always talkedabout a trip around the worldwhen Ken retired, so we did thatby boat in about three months. Itwas a wonderful trip, but hard attimes. Ken's illness had alreadystarted and I just couldn'texplain to people on the ship.

He sold his businessbefore he retired, which makesme believe he knew it sometimebefore he told me. He hadAlzhimers and was ill for six andone half years. Those were sadyears; it’s awful to watch a lovedone's mind go.

Stop off and see mesometime on your way to GullLake. I have plenty of room ifyou'd care to spend the night.

P.S.: I had a blood clot hit

my spinal cord which paralyzedme from the waist down. I'verecovered since, but that's whyI'm in a wheel chair. That's tenyears ago.Best Regards, Marge Cool

Naomi and I have alwaysregretted we didn't stop and seeMarge Cool. We thought thevisit would be too much, with herbeing confined to a wheel chair.Hugh Graff made a special effortto maintain contact with the Coolfamily to give them copies of ourhistory book, published in 1991.But, the family disappeared fromthe Cleveland area just beforebook publication, and Hugh wasunable to locate Mrs. Cool or herson. Naomi and I also lostcontact with Mrs. Cool.

If anyone knows thewhereabouts of the Cooloffspring, please let me know. Istill have a copy of the originalbook for the family. My addressis: 6205 Meadow Court,Rockville, Md 20852. Phone: 301 881 1376.

9

Did You Know?

Chicago’s famousgangster Al Capone had a verygood attorney nicknamed“Easy Eddie”. This attorneykept Capone out of jail formany years with his slick legaltactics.

Chicago’s O’Hareairport is named after ButchO’Hare, the Navy’s first aceand winner of theCongressional Medal of Honorfor his heroism in the Pacific.

Butch O’Hare was EasyEddie’s son!

A 60-year homewardjourney for WWII flier

DNA testing, records helpidentify body

April 12, 2005

When the B-24 Liberatorcarrying 20-year-old S/Sgt.Robert W. McKee to a bombingmission crashed, his familydidn't know what happened tohim.

They got their answernearly 60 years later with thehelp of the Internet, DNA, themilitary and an amateurHungarian historian.

McKee, an Army AirForce aerial gunner and formerlocal resident, is no longermissing in action. He was buriedTuesday with military honors inArlington National Cemetery inVirginia.

Scientists of the JointPOW/MIA AccountingCommand and the ArmedForces DNA IdentificationLaboratory relied on severalforensic tools, including DNA, toidentify McKee. In December2004, mitochondrial DNA wasused to match his DNA with twomaternal cousins.

"It was pretty incredible,”said McKee's son, Larry Drake,62. "It was 60 years when wefigured out exactly whathappened.”

Drake's wife, Holly, andher mother, Phyllis, attended thefuneral. "There's closure now,”Holly Drake said. "I thinkeverybody is pleased.Everybody cried.”

McKee was born in Long

Beach, CA. He and his wife,Phyllis, were graduates ofGarvey High School and had ason in 1943.

McKee was an aerialgunner on a B-24 Liberator thattook off from Pantanella, Italy,on Dec. 17, 1944, to bombenemy targets nearBleckhammer, Germany,according to the Department ofDefense POW/MissingPersonnel Office.

The family received atelegram he may be missing inCzechoslovakia but they didn'tknow what happened to him,Holly Drake said.

McKee's mother, Nona,spent years searching for heryoungest son. She died in 1985.

The Drakes were living inAnchorage, Alaska, three yearsago when they saw a restoredB-24. Holly Drake went on theInternet, found a messageboard for B-24 bombers andasked for information on RobertMcKee. She received tips onwhat to do from the World War IIvets and got a copy of the crashreport.

Then Dennis Friedbauer,who was then working as ananalyst for the Department ofDefense POW/MIA Office, foundher query on the Internet andcalled her. The Navy man wasworking on the McKee case.

He also got help fromNandor Mohos, a Hungariancomputer programmer who isinterested in WWII. Mohos gavehim a list of fliers shot down overHungary which included McKee.

Friedbauer later found aNazi document in the NationalArchives that said McKee was

shot down over Bohonye,Hungary. He turned over hisinformation to the JointPOW/MIA AccountingCommand. The military laterfound two cousins in thematernal line who donatedblood for the DNA testing.

"It finally came true. Thefinal chapter has been written,”Friedbauer said.

Military officials saidMcKee and a second crewmanwere killed when their aircraftcrashed over Hungary near thetowns of Bohonye andFelsosegesd.

In 1992, an undertakerrecovered remains believed tobe those of an American in theBohonye cemetery. Aerialgunners wings were found in thegrave, as well as other itemsworn by U.S. bomber crews in1944. There were no dog tags,though.

A decade ago,Friedbauer said the Germanswere in Hungary looking for theirwar dead. They found theirremains along with those of alone American. Those remainswere shipped to Hawaii andwere identified as McKee's.

The Drakes now haveMcKee's gunner wings and hispocket watch compass.

Friedbauer presentedLarry Drake on Tuesday with apiece of the B-24 that carriedMcKee. He got it from a ladyduring his visit to Bohonye.

"I'll tell you one thing. Iserved in the Navy 24 years andthis is the highlight of my career.Impossible to describe,”Friedbauer said.

Courtesy of SGV Tribune

10

455th BG E-Mail Roster

Below is a list of e-mailaddresses of 455th BG Assoc.members. If you want your e-mail address included in thisroster, please email your Editorat aphp@comcast.net.

Harry W. Anderson (740) SanAntonio, TX.pomganny@aol.com

Carl A. Barr (743)Tim Swearingen crewcarlbarr@bellsouth.net

Albert E. Beauchemin1 Berkshire Square, Apt. 206Adams, MA 01220albeau@webtv.net

Gene V. Benson (740)Livingston, MT.dayflyguy@mcn.net

Jack Blum (741) New Port Richey, FL.jblum15677@aol.com

Winfield S. Bowers (741) Mount Dora, FL. winbow20@aol.com

Marlin L. (Bud) Brown (742)Lake Placid, FL.barbud@htn.net

Ormond H. Buffington 300 Rena DriveSpringville, Alabama 35146buffington1@alltel.net

Robert Caldwell (741)Prescott Valley, AZ.re7306@aol.com

Saul L. Cayne (742) Boynton Beach, FL. sasl@adelphia.net

Rod Clarke (743)Alexandria, VArory@his.com

Howard Cooper, Staton Island, NY.howgladcoop@worldnet.att.net

Robert (Bob) Collette, St. Petersburg, FL. dotybobms@msn.com

Albert E. Cratchfishn928@aol.com

Bill & Joyce Crawford1246 Duck Blind CircleNewman, CA 95360printsvs@earthlink.net <or>Westerner01@earthlink.net

Janet & Russell Crocker5813 Meadow Drive, Frederick, Md. 21702.Janetcrockerfr@cs.com

James P. Daly (740) Aberdeen, NJ.panadaly@aol.com

John F. Davisdavis98@attglobal.net <or>davi785x@hotmail.com

George Defenbaugh (743)Georgesr@defenbaugh.com .

Jack Dekker (743) Grand Rapids, MI. jdek457@att.net

Theodore Deppe (741)Bloomington, IN.tdeppe@indiana.edu

Curtis Diles (740) Dayton, OH.budynez@aol.com

Paul H. Ditchett (742) Safety Harbor, FL.paul546@juno.com

Bob Emick (741) Battle Creek, MI. rfemick@aol.com

James A. Fedewa (743)Dunnellon, FL.jcfedewa@cs.com

Seymour GaynesNavigator (743)“Tepee Time Gal”syjac@sbcglobal.net

William B. Gemmill (740) Spring Hill, FL.wgemmill@tampabay.rr.com

William C. Graves (742)Jacksonville, FL.wgraves210@aol.com

Frances Hansenlohansen@longlines.com

L. Harvey Hewit (743) Haverford, PA.Lhhew@aol.com

Eugene M. Hurley (742) Calvert City, KY.ghurley5@juno.net

Richard H.Hollrock (740)107 Heather WayHampden, Me 04444annedickrock@aol.com

Robert E. Johnson (743)Salem, OR. rjohn167@cs.com

(continued, next page)

11

Thomas L. Kablach (742)Crown Point, IN. kablach@sbcglobal.net

Milton Kaplan (743)mkaplan7@cox.netdkaplan1@cox.net

Joe Kiernan16 Barbara Ln Titusville NJ 08560jokernan@comcast.net

Erling Kindem (742)Farmington, MN.erlingk@aol.com

Viliam KlabnikDullova 46 / 60, Priekopa 4036 08 MARTIN Slovakia, Europe vkaquam@orangemail.sk

Jack Lancaster (742) Clovis, NM.505-762-7257 home505-760-7257 cell

George L. Liddle (742) Sun City, CA.oljorge@mchsi.com

John L. Larma (740) jlarma@uswest.net

Frank MastroleoPhoenix, NYMasty419@aol.com

Dave Matheson (742) ihatebugs@cox.net

Mike McFadden (Assoc. 743)Son-in-Law of Austin Herrity,Navigator, 743rd BSb24_455thbg@yahoo.com

Stephen E. Miller (742)nanpopmil@webtv.net

James H. Moreland (743)Cameron, Mo. 64429agjh@webtv.net

C.E. McMullen (741) Tomball, TX.cmcmullenjr@aol.com

Vic Murray (743) 105 Foxridge RunLongwood, FL. 32750-2703vemurray3@earthlink.net

Robert E. Newberg (743) West Des Moines, IA.Newy7aces@home.com

Charles Oltarzewski (740)Gallatin, TN.murphB24@aol.com

Christine PainterDaughter of the late Col.Charles W. Painter, Jr. (741)painter1112@comcast.net

Peter Payant (743) pbpayant@cox.net

Jack Phelps (740) b7606@sbcglobal.com

Roland J Pepin327 Al Harvey RoadStonington, CT 06378 virpep4400@aol.com

Wesley Powell (740) Seabrook, TX.wesjulia@gateway.net

Bob Probst (741) West Columbia, SC.rtprobst@aol.com

Charles H. Rosenberg (741)chrose3@comcast.net.11106 Marcliff RoadRockville, MD 20852

Sid Schoengold (740) Monroe TWP, NJ.harsid1@juno.com

Gus R. Seefluth (742) Lebanon, OH.gus@go-concepts.com

Walt Shostack (741) Dayton, OH.boyar0711@woh.rr.com

Sgt. John E. SkeltonTampa, FLwoodshed704@netzero.netEdward G. Spencer (740) East Haven, CT.ebnezr@webtv.net

Jim Smith (741)jsmith588@austin.rr.com

Charles E. Stark (740)Pittsburg, PA.carbchar@comcast.net

Ted Stiner (Assoc. 742)setgld@insightbb.com

Angelo Synodis (741)Glendale, CA.sdefrank348@1stnetusa.com

(Dr.) Stanley Vogelfang (741)Houston, TX. stanvog@aol.com

John R. Worster (742). haw72@aol.com

Craig Ward Editor, Cerignola ConnectionSon of Lt. J. T. Ward (740) aphp@comcast.net

Carl J. Wiskirchenm-meyer@insightbb.com

12

Donald Anderton Crew (743)

Bottom Row (L-R)Gabriel Lahaire - Ball TurretGordon Webber - Armor &GunnerHerman Simon - Tail GunnerMiddle Row (L-R)Donald Shores - Nose GunnerJohn Sims - Radio & WaistGunnerVirgil Froussard - EngineerBack Row (L-R)William Hulen - Navigator (laterbecame group radar officer)Evert Gustafson - BombardierHarold Syverson - CoPilot(finished missions as first pilot)Donald Anderton - Pilot

This crew was in the743rd Squadron of the 455thBG, arriving in Italy in October,1944. Don Anderton finished his35 missions in April 1945, andreturned to the USA in May.

Donald Anderton'sMemorable MissionMy most memorable

mission was on December 29,1944. We had a load ofincendiary bombs for Udine innorthern Italy. The weatherover the target was cloudy sowe headed north of the Alps forPlan Baker. Same problem …bad weather over the target.

We headed back to base

with our bombs. We soon lostthe supercharger on the #4engine.

Shortly thereafter, weshut the #1 engine down due tofire. At this point, we were waybehind and low on fuel. Wedropped our bombs in theAdriatic, and flew to the nearestfighter strip south of the frontlines.

The airstrip where welanded (the name escapes me)turned out to be the base of thefighter squadron later to benamed the "Tuskegee Airmen".Some of the crew got on theirhands and knees and kissed theground.

I received the DFC forthat mission.

After the war, I became apilot for United Airlines. In my37-year career with United, Ilogged some 22,000 hours andover 9 million miles.

Don Anderton177 South State, Box #9Morgan, Utah 84050801-829-6484

13

Can You Help?

Don Anderton is asking foranyone who knows the currentstatus of William Hulen (743) orHerman Simon (743) to pleasecontact him at 801-829-6484.

"If you're faced with a forcedlanding, fly the thing as far into

the crash as possible."- Bob Hoover (renownedaerobatic and test pilot)

Diamond Lil’ B-24

The oldest ConsolidatedLiberator in existence castsshade from its high-aspect-ratiowings on the tarmac atAeroShell Square during EAAAirVenture 2005.

Nicknamed Diamond Lil',this historic airplane was to havebeen a pug-nosed Liberator inthe Royal Air Force in 1941,carrying RAF serial numberAM927. A mishap before itcould go overseas sent AM927back to the Consolidated Aircraftplant in San Diego for repairs.

Following its rebirth,AM927 remained in the UnitedStates for the duration as as e v e r a l - t i m e s - m o d i f i e dConsolidated Aircraft companytransport.

A jewel in the crown ofthe Commemorative Air Force(CAF) museum, AM927 hasbeen in flying service continuallyfor 64 years, according to one ofthe crew tending the warbird atAirVenture.

The CAF bought AM927from the Mexican petroleumcompany PEMEX in 1969. Thenickname Diamond Lil' wasborrowed from a wartime B-24Liberator, said crewmemberFrank Carrigan. The CAF choseto drape the nose art figure ofLil’ in furs, he said, as a latter-day concession to modesty.

Diamond Lil’s restorershave made the one-timebomber appear much like anArmy Air Forces B-24DLiberator from the North Africancampaign, complete with desertsand camouflage and agreenhouse bombardier nose.

What sometimes throwsveterans and Liberator puristsare the round engine cowlingson Lil', common to earlyLiberators, but changed to acharacteristic wide oval shapeon the B-24C and subsequentmodels.

Diamond Lil' carriesanother rare vestige of its earlybirth in the Liberator program:The extreme aft fuselage issmaller than later Liberators,resulting in a slight upsweep inthe fairing meeting thehorizontal stabilizer.

Consolidated changedthe cockpit canopy on severalLiberators to a version withfewer ribs between windows,and Lil' received this treatment,along with late-style outward-opening nosewheel doors.

And sometime after late1943, photos indicate the noseof AM927 was slightlylengthened over themeasurement of a Liberator I,more closely matching that oflater B-24s. The results makeDiamond Lil' an interestingsmorgasbord of Liberatorgenealogy, with features runningthe gamut from early to lateproduction.

One of only twoLiberators currently air-worthy,Lil' is a rare and welcomeaddition to the AirVenture scene.Not scheduled to fly during theshow, the bomber will beavailable to inspect on the ramp.

Crewmember Carrigansaid the sons and daughters ofWorld War II B-24 veteranssometimes seek out DiamondLil' at air shows in an effort tolearn more about what theirfathers did during the war. Some

are very knowledgable already;others were never told theirfathers' stories.

"You have to kind of helpthem out a little bit," to sleuththeir fathers' probable placesand types of service, Carrigansaid.

Diamond Lil' has been inCAF flying operations fordecades. A typical air showseason for the Liberator runsfrom May to October. Thisvintage bomber winters in Tulsa,Oklahoma, where mechanics,some of whom are volunteersfrom the American Airlines basethere, tend to AM927's needs forthe following season, Carriganexplained.

Joe Broker, a retiredDelta Air Lines pilot fromPeachtree City, Georgia, is anew copilot on Diamond Lil'.He's still learning some of thequirks of this bomber, a designthat pushed the envelope whenthe prototype first flew inDecember, 1939.

The airplane's storiedDavis wing, key to theLiberator's long range, has a“finicky center of gravity”, Brokersaid. This becomes apparentwhen passengers are movingabout the fuselage. "If theymove a foot, you know it," heexplained, saying pitchsensitivity is very pronounced inDiamond Lil'.

Takeoff begins withrotation at 80 knots, Broker said,following which Diamond Lil', nodoubt at a lighter operatingweight than a wartime B-24bomber, gets airborne at about95-100 knots.

(continued, left column, next page)

14

(Diamond ‘Lil”, continued)

The long main landinggear legs of the Liberator hingeup and out into faired recessesin the lower surface of thewings.

Broker says the flightcrew taps the wheel brakes tostop the mainwheels fromspinning before starting thearduous hydraulic process ofgear retraction.

Diamond 'Lil' is afascinating emissary from thepast.

Article Courtesy Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Lt. Carl Stracka (743)

B-24 Stamp IssueExperience in Oshkosh

Lt. Carl Stracka receiveda call from Washington, DC'sUS Postal Service requestinghis presence for the launch ofthe new stamps.

Carl and his family wereat the presentation. The USPostal Service awarded Carlwith a picture of the stamp of theB-24 in a 16" x 16" frame.

(see canceled stamp below)

15

Dear Editor,My father was a

tailgunner in the 455th BG,741st squadron. I've been tothree reunions - Dayton, SanAntonio and San Diego.

We are doing a featurefilm that has a Liberator in it.The film is 75% done. We usesome actual WWII footage,some computer generatedgraphics and some footage ofDiamond ‘Lil’.

Hopefully, it will becomplete by the 455th BGreunion in October. I’d like toshow it to the attendees at thehospitality room, if possible.

We have four of themajor studios looking at the filmto pick it up. If you or yournewsletter readers would likemore information about the film,please contact me.

phone: (818) 825-4667emails: cald4him@juno.com

(or)scaldwell@visionbuildersgroup.com

Kind regards,Shawn Caldwell

I had a drug problem when I was young ...

I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug tochurch for wedding and funerals. I was drug to family reunions nomatter the weather. I was drug to the bus stop to go to school everyweekday. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adultsand teachers. I was also drug to the woodshed when I needed it.

Those drugs are still in my veins, and they affect mybehavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger thancocaine, crack, or heroin, and if today's children had this kind ofdrug problem, America might be a better place.Signed, Older than Dirt

Can You Help?

Dear Editor,My father-in-law, Lt.

Richard Peter Pelosi, was aBombardier in the 455th BombGroup, 741st BS. He has notkept in touch with othersquadron members, and I thinkhe would like to re-acquainthimself with these gentlemen.

He flew on "Ten Hits anda Miss" (see photo next page). Ihave a picture of him with a flightcrew in front of a B-24 with theblock letters "B.T.O." low in thenose area. I also have a fewpictures of my father-in-lawposed with flight crews in front ofB-24s that I can't identify.

Crew #234-40 Sept. 22,1944. The number 1619 in largeblock letters is on the fuselage.(See photo next page). Thesenames were written on the backof the photo:

Front Row - left to right1st Lt. H. A. Surbeck - Pilot2nd Lt. E. V. Schlake - Co-pilot2nd Lt. J. T. McKniff - Navigator2nd Lt. R. Pelosi - Bombardier

Standing - left to rightCpl. J. Micheal - Nose GunnerCpl. K. Sumwolt - Tail GunnerCpl. J. English - Upper TurretCpl. R. Berndt - RadioCpl. G. Kirby - Lower BallSgt. A. Pomales - Engineer

Another photo was takenin Cairo (see photo next page),and he has written on the backof the picture: "This was the daywe left Cairo for our return trip tobase in Italy. Note the hats!".

(Pelosi continued, next page)

16

Bill Heitkamp Takes his First B24 Flight in 60 Years!

On April 17, 2005, Bill Heitkamp (Tail Gunner, 743rdSquadron, part of the J. Helbig crew) took a special flight aroundthe skies of southern Nevada, his first flight on a B-24 in 60 years!

The Collings B-24 “Witchcraft” on which he flew is one ofonly two B-24s still flying (the CAF Diamond Lil’ is the other).

Your Editor hopes those of you who attended the reunion inKansas City were able to see the video from his flight.

(Bill is in the back row, 2nd from left, in the circa 1944 photo directly below)

Bill Heitkampmanning the waist

gun on “Witchcraft”.

Withoutammunition, theUSAF would be

just anotherexpensive flying

club.

Bill Heitkampmaking his way

through the“spacious” interior

of the Collings B-24“Witchcraft”

(Pelosi, continued)

The crew members listedon the Cairo photo are:

Front row - left to right1st Lt. Dixler S/Sgt MaggioT/S DunhamS/Sgt DupreeS/Sgt Burkhart

Standing - left to right1st Lt. HowarthLt. Col. DoringMaj. HortenM/Sgt. BeesomT/Sgt Woodward2nd. Lt. PelosiM/Sgt. Kromnick

Of all the names above,every one appears on the 455thBG History “Roll Call” rosterexcept for Lt. Pelosi, M/Sgt.Kromnick, and 1st. Lt. Dixler.

Of the guys who appear,all are in the 741st BS exceptMajor Horten, who is listed aspart of the 742nd. BS.

Lt. Pelosi was inBombardier class 44-7. I wantto find fellows from that class,and / or crewmembers from anyof the squadrons in the 455thBG that might have known Lt.Pelosi.

Please ask yournewsletter readers that haveinformation about these aircraftor crews to contact me at thephone number or email addressbelow. Thank you.

Best Regards,John DevitoSon-in-Law of Richard Pelosiphone ... (973)347-2243email ... jdevito@touchtown.us

17

18

Miraculous Survival: Direct Hit by 88 mm Flak

Our crew narrowly escaped death onFebruary 21, 1945. On a mission over Vienna, as weattacked railroad marshaling yards, the plane wasstraddled by close bursts of flak on each side. In thesame millisecond, the plane shook and heavedupward.

An 88-millimeter anti-aircraft shell hit our B-24about three feet in front of the wing root on the pilot'sside. It tore up a large wiring bundle as it peeled awaya section of skin. It crumpled the upper escape hatchabove and behind the pilot. It hit the upper turret,destroyed the turret's Plexiglass dome, then hit one ofthe turret's .50 caliber machine guns, stripped awaythe perforated cooling cover, and bent the barrel intoa 90 degree angle.

It failed to explode. If it had exploded, wewould have been blown from the sky. If our impactwith the shell occurred a fraction of a second later,even as a dud, it would have hit and ripped off the leftwing. Our speed was 160 mph, or 235 ft. per second.

We survived to live one more day, because ofa difference of ten feet and less than five hundredthsof a second. Walter Lipps was in the turret, when theshell tore off the Plexiglas and bent the gun barrel. Atwo-inch piece of flak, from the same salvo, missedme by inches. A photograph of the damage appearedin Stars & Stripes, in the next edition, as well as anews item. The combat photographer gave eachcrewmember a copy of the photo printed by the Stars& Stripes.

Frank Lashinsky ... Former President of the 455th BG Association

Editor’s Note: After a conversation I had earlier this year with Mr. Lashinsky, he agreed to allow meto post the story of his military career on my website. Below are excerpts from his compelling personalmilitary history. Log onto http://www.awardphp.com/Lashinsky.php to read the complete text.

Frank Lashinsky is seen bottom, right in this circa 1944 photo

Frank Lashinsky, on being a Prisoner of War

People today ask, "How long were you aprisoner-of-war?" When I say from March 12, 1945to April 29, 1945, they have remarked, "You're luckyyou weren't a prisoner very long."

I wonder if they would feel the same way ifthey had been in my shoes. Television and movieshave trivialized the experiences of POWs with showslike "Stalag 17" and “Hogan’s Heros”.

I suppose I shouldn't fault the ignorance orinsensitivity of such remarks.

One day is too long!

A Soldier’s Christmas

The embers glowedsoftly, and in their dim light, Igazed round the room and Icherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, herhead on my chest, my daughterbeside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, ablanket of white, transformingthe yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in thetree, I believe, completed themagic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy,my breathing was deep, secureand surrounded by love I wouldsleep.

In perfect contentment, orso it would seem, so Islumbered, perhaps I started todream.

The sound wasn’t loud,and it wasn’t too near, but Iopened my eyes when it tickledmy ear.

Perhaps just a cough, Ididn’t quite know, then the suresound of footsteps outside in thesnow.

My soul gave a tremble, Istruggled to hear, and I crept tothe door just to see who wasnear.

Standing out in the coldand the dark of the night, a lonefigure stood, his face weary andtight.

A soldier, I puzzled, sometwenty years old, perhaps aMarine, huddled here in thecold.

Alone in the dark, helooked up and smiled, standingwatch over me, and my wife andmy child.

What are you doing?” I

asked without fear, “Come inthis moment, it’s freezing outhere!”

Put down your pack,brush the snow from yoursleeve, you should be at homeon a cold Christmas Eve!”

For barely a moment Isaw his eyes shift, away fromthe cold and the snow blown indrifts,

To the window thatdanced with a warm fire’s light,then he sighed and he said, “It’sreally all right,

I’m out here by choice,I’m here every night.”

“It’s my duty to stand atthe front of the line, thatseparates you from the darkestof times.

No one had to ask or begor implore me, I’m proud tostand here like my fathersbefore me.

My dad stood his watchin the jungles of ‘Nam, and nowit is my turn and so, here I am.

I’ve not seen my own sonin more than a while, but my wifesends me pictures, he’s sure gother smile.”

Then he bent and hecarefully pulled from his bag, theRed, White and Blue....anAmerican Flag.

“I can live through thecold and the being alone, awayfrom my family, my house andmy home.

I can stand at my postthrough the rain and the sleet, Ican sleep in a foxhole with littleto eat.

I can carry the weight ofkilling another,

Or lay down my life withmy sister and brother.

Who stands at the frontagainst any and all, to ensure forall time that this flag will not fall.

So go back inside,” hesaid, “harbor no fright, yourfamily is waiting and I’ll be allright.”

“But isn’t there somethingI can do, at the least, give youmoney,” I asked, “orprepare you a feast?”

It seems all too little for allthat you’ve done, for being awayfrom your wife and your son.

Then his eyes welled atear that held no regret, “Just tellus you love us, and never forget to fight for our rights back athome while we’re gone, to standyour own watch, no matter howlong.”

For when we comehome, either standing or dead,to know you remember wefought and we bled is paymentenough.

And with that we will trustthat we mattered to you, as youmattered to us.

19

In this holiday season,please keep our Airmen,Soldiers, Sailors, Marines,and Guard in your prayers.They are risking their lives toprotect what we take forgranted. We are losingsoldiers every day.

They won’t be homewith their families thisChristmas. Pray that God willbless them, and keep themsafe.

Happy Holidays to All

Capt. Charles Stark (740)A Chance Meeting

Recently, it occurred to methat sitting down beside MikeTarcha on the train bound for MiamiBeach for basic training had a veryprofound effect on my miltarycareer, and in fact the rest of mylife.

Mike and I remained closefriends until he ultimately washedout of pilot training. After 9 weeksin Miami Beach, we were on a trainagain headed for a CollegeTraining Detachment at KnoxCollege at Galesburg, Illinois. Mikefinally confided in me that he wasactually married.

He and Sue had plannedthe wedding date, but the inductionnotice arrived and they quicklymarried in the few days remaining.However, mother nature interfered,and the marriage was notconsumated.

At the end of our firstweekend at Knox, Sue, aregistered nurse, was there with ajob at the local hospital. Fridaymorning, we stood inspection onthe drill field and Mike got his 7th“gig” for the week which meant hewould be restricted to the campusfor the weeknd. He had a fresh haircut from the day before, but still gota gig. Mike was LIVID !!!

I thought it was almostcomical. He and Sue were jinxed.I'm sure he got to see Sue thatweekend.

In five weeks instead of fivemonths (the normal time at a CTD),we were on our way to theclassification center at SanAntonio. Mike and Sue were againseparated. Sue could not followMike there.

After three long months, wewere classified for pilot training andheaded by bus to Vernon, Texas forPrimary Flight Training.

Enroute, we made a reststop. Picture this --- 3 bus loads ofcadets relieving their kidneys overa guard rail. I thought it would havemade a great photograph!

Sue arrived in Vernonalmost as soon as we did andalready had work at the localhospital. Mike said Sue could getme a date with a hospital volunteerfor the Friday "Welcome Dance" atthe Victory Field Hangar. PrimaryFlight Training was a privatecontract operation with a nicedining hall and good food and ajuke box playing the currentpopular tunes. I enjoyed the danceand the company of Betty Joyce(B J) at the dance but an allergywas bothering me. With wateryeyes and a runny noise, I figured Ihad bombed out with this girl anddidn't call her for a second date onSaturday.

This was a "no-no" for thelocal girls. Sunday morning, I calledher and we were off on a whirlwindromance. Arriving back at her homeSunday evening, we sat down onthe couch, and the next thing Iknow, we are huggin' and kissin'.

WOW!!! This is new to me. Ifigured this girl really likes me. Onsubsequent week ends, we roller-skated and had all kind of goodtimes, including sodas at Huber'sDrug Store. Ma Huber called uscadets, "Lil' ole bitty cadets".

The people of Vernon werewarm and friendly. Despite mykeen desire to learn to fly, I beganto think I would like to stay inVernon.

Boarding the shuttle busback to the field on my last night intown, B J and I kissed goodbye.When the bus driver had closed thedoor he said, "Man!!, she almostsucked your lungs out" in a typicalsouthern drawl. I had three sistersbut I didn''t know anything aboutgirls.

Our next stop was Basic

Flight Training at Garden City,Kansas. It was like going fromheaven to hell. The food was bad,the weather was cold, the miltaryeducation officers harassed usconstantly, and the civilians inGarden City hated the cadets.

Constant letter writing toVernon followed. Letters arrivedfrom B J with "S W A K" on thesealing flap (Sealed with a Kiss).

On a three-day Christmaspass, two cadets and I, along with alieutenant flight trainee, all bitten bythe love bugs, drove back toVernon. We sacked out on emptybunks at Victory Field at night. Itwas a great Christmas since wecouldn't get home to celebrate.

I had opted for twin-enginedadvanced flight training, andcouldn't believe it when I found outthat I was assigned to the Air Baseat Altus, Oklahoma, just 50 milesnorth of Vernon.

WOWEE, Hot-dog and allthat kind of stuff! No one everwashed out at Advanced FlightTraining and I paid less than fullattention to my flying. Letters stillflowed back and forth with airmailstamps on mine, even though Iknew they couldn't possibly go byair.

Every weekend, I headed toVernon, mostly by thumb. Once, Iwent in the cab of a trailer truckloaded with hogs, and another timein a fellow cadet's 1941 Chevy. Abroken fan belt on the Chevy left usstranded, but a nice cab drivertowed us back to Altus for $10. As Isaid, the folks in Vernon were nice.

Graduation Day came withthe Silver Wings and a LieutenantCommission. B J was able toattend the ceremony, and I knew itwould be a long time until I wouldsee her again.

(continued, next page)

20

(A Chance Meeting, continued)

After two weeks leave athome in Pittsburgh, it was off toSalt Lake City for a week, andreassignment to Overseas Trainingat Davis Monthan Field in Tucson,Arizona. Letters continued to flowback and forth, and I sent B J anice wrist watch as a high schoolgraduation present.

I didn't think I was robbingthe cradle.

Leaving Tucson late in Juneof 1944, it was off to Topeka,Kansas, then to Newport News,Virginia, Cerignola, Italy, and thenback home in Pittsburgh onChristmas Eve.

What could be better? Very quickly, I got on the

phone and arranged for B J tocome to Pittsburgh. However, myfamily did not like this girl. A highschool teacher friend later said,"She is not the girl for you".

After two weeks R&R inMiami Beach, I was assigned to aB-24 base in Alabama. I didn't wantto go there, and asked to what elseI could be assigned.

The choice was an AT-6field at Sherman, Texas, which isonly 100 miles from Ft. Worth,Texas, where B J was now livingwith her mother and grandmother.

I was all for this. I quickly bought a 1937

Chevy Coupe for wheels to travelto Ft. Worth, which I did on everypossible weekend.

One night, I hit two rabbitsand a dog driving back to Perrin ina fog. The stay at Sherman wasshort, and I was then off to EaglePass, Texas. That is in the middleof nowhere and we had nothing todo there. No flying of any account.

It was now March of 1945,and I was assigned to AT-6Instructor School at Waco. Waco isjust 50 miles north of Temple,where B J was now in nursing

training. This was almostunbelieveable!

Traveling by privateconveyance, I could spend a day orso in Temple on the way to Wacofrom Eagle Pass. At Eagle Pass, Ihad become friends with a guy byname of Richard Waggoner. Heliked to tell the story about the girlhe dated in Waco. She passed outwhen he kissed her!

He became known as "LipsWaggoner".

He would say "Maybe Ishould marry her. She's got hearttrouble and money, and probablywon't last long".

Somehow, B J andWaggoner got together. B J endedup kissing my buddy. Later he veryseriously said , "She's not the girlfor you". Even a palm reader at acounty fair said we would never getmarried. I would hear none of this.

While in Waco, PresidentRoosevelt died, and Victory Europeoccurred. By the end of May, I wasqualified as an AT-6 flight Instuctor,and was sent to Moore Field inMcAllen, Texas. To get there fromWaco, I stopped at Temple for aday or so.

While at Moore Field, I wasable to get an AT-6 one weekendand fly back to Waco, and thenwent by bus to Temple.

It was a clear night flyingback to Moore Field, but I was stillconcerned about over-flying Mooreand ending up in Mexico. Thatrotating beacon sure looked goodthat night.

I only instructed a group offive cadets about two weeks whenI found out I had enough points forseperation from the service.

I was gone. So it was back through

Temple, and on to Pittsburgh. Afterseperation at Ft. Dix, I was acivilian again.

However, I was inPittsburgh and B J was in Temple.

I decided to return by bus toTemple with an engagement ring. Iwas wearing my Ruptured Duckpin, which got me first choice forseating on the buses.

The bus went throughSherman, Texas, and a young ladyboarded in a sheer silk dress. Shewas a real doll! There were noseats available, so she sat in mylap.

I thought maybe I should layover a night in Dallas, since I feltmy company would be welcome.But I decided to go on to Temple.

B J accepted the ring withenthusiasm.

However, in March of 1946,I was advised during a phone callthat my ring would be sent back.The lack of lovin' was too much forher.

I was all broken up for awhile. However, as I began topiece things back together, I alsorealized that B J was not the girl forme, just as I had been told so manytimes. The association with B J hadbeen thrilling, and I learned a lotabout the opposite sex in theprocess.

I am sure my military careerwould have been much enhancedhad I not bumped into Mike Tarchaon the train to basic training inMiami Beach. I'm also sure I wouldnot have become aquainted withthe girl I did marry, who is a jewel ifthere ever was one.

All this just because of theguy that I sat next to on a train.

In some respects, mymilitary career was three years ofbasic training in human relations!

21

22

Reunion2005Kansas City, Missouri

Mrs. Frances Hansen and her grandsonenjoyed touring the Collings B24 “Witchcraft”

at the Kansas City Airport

C.W. Cooper (741) and his lovelybride Louise celebrated their

60th wedding anniversary at the banquet Saturday night

George Defenbaugh (743) and Rod Clarke(743) take in the tour of “Witchcraft”

Banquet Speaker General Mike Short (left),455th BG Association President Bill Gemmill(center), and Association Executive Director

Greg Riggs

“The United States Air Force became a separateservice because of the incredible successes of youand your peer groups in WWII.”

“Today’s United States Air Force is the finest airforce in the world, but it is NOT the finest air forcethe world has ever seen ... that honor goes to theAmerican air forces of WWII.”

“You taught future American air force strategists thevalue of:

1) strategic attack2) counter-air (integrate bombers & fighters)3) interdiction4) close air support5) importance and value of the individual air

crew’s initiative to positively respond to stressful situations for which they had not been trained”

“The lasting legacy of your incredible courage,heroism, and dedication during WWII inspired andmotivated future generations of airmen in the UnitedStates Air Force.”

Some highlights of General Mike Short’sremarks at the banquet Saturday night.

23

Reunion 2005Kansas City, Missouri

Pam and Gene Hudson, John Davis, and Joyce Lanford sharing laughs at the banquet

Nancy Hosimer & Jeanne Vogelfang

John Davis tickles the ivory, much to theenjoyment of folks in the hospitality room

At the 741st Dinner ...Horace Lanford, Carl Barr,

Carole and Bill Gemmill

Mr. and Mrs. Collings,the owners and pilots of several WWIIaircraft, including the B24 “Witchcraft”

455th BG Executive Director GregRiggs (left) with his father Col. Ed Riggs(center) and their friends at the banquet

455th Bomb Group Assoc., Inc.P.O. Box 93095Austin, TX 78709-3095

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Attention:All 455th Bomb GroupAssociation Members

Remember that yourmembership dues pay for thecosts of this newsletter, alongwith many misc. expensesrelated to the Association’sactivities. If you haven’t paidyour 2005 dues yet, please mailyour check for $15 to the 455thBG Assoc., Attention: GregoryRiggs, PO Box 93095, Austin,TX. 78709-3095.

Note your mailing labelon this newsletter. If there is ayear number earlier than 00 onthe top line, you're going to bedropped from the newslettermailing list. This numberindicated the last time you paidyour annual dues, and wehaven't heard from you sincethen. Thus, we are deletingthose names from ournewsletter mailing list.

To re-establish havingyour name on the mailing list,please send $15 for 2005 duesto P.O. Box 93095, Austin, TX.78709-3095.

EDITOR’S REMINDER

I have received manyexcellent, written personalhistories from members of the455th BG Assoc. They includememories, photos, documents,and other memorabilia related totheir time in the military. Thesefascinating stories are toolengthy to produce in theirentirety in this newsletter.Editing them down would not dothese stories justice.

I have created a websiteon which I have posted thesestories and pictures in theirentirety. Friends, families,researchers, and historians canaccess these personal histories& photos via this internetwebsite.

To access the personalhistories page, go to:

www.awardphp.com/transcripts.php

Available now on theinternet: ALL of the previouseditions of the CerignolaConnection, going back to 1990!

To access the archivedback-issues of the C.C., go to:

www.awardphp.com/veterans.php

Also, available now onthe internet: The entire 455thBG History book is availableonline at the following webaddress:

www.awardphp.com/455th_BG_History.php

Would you like acomputer CD with digitalcopies of ALL back issues ofthe Cerignola Connection,PLUS a digital copy of the455th BG History book? Send$15 for unpaid 2005 455th BGAssociation dues (notapplicable for lifetimeassociation members), plus$12 (cost of the CD, protectivemailing case, & postage) tothe 455th BG Association atthe address below left.

This CD has over 900pages of 455th BGinformation (in pdf format).

If you don’t have acomputer, you can take the CDto any neighborhood printshop in your area. They willbe able to print these pagesout for you at the cost ofabout 8 cents per page.

Disclaimer: The APHP websitereferred to in this section is related toa part-time, DFW-area personalhistory service business. No businesssolicitation is intended.

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDAppleton, Wisc.

PERMIT NO. _____