67 years ago today, somewhere over Italy...

My Dad wasn't an RVer, but I am, or soon will be again if the pre-buy inspection goes well. I hope this is OK to post.

67 years ago today, somewhere over Italy, my Dad was the belly-gunner of
the B-24 bomber that is the subject of the article at the link below.

http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/1997/October 1997/1097valor.aspx

Dad wasn't with his regular crew for the mission. His crew had
crash-landed in Turkey (without him) during the Ploesti mission a couple
weeks earlier, and they were still on their way back to N. Africa via
truck. Because the Ploesti mission was so dangerous, the bomber crews
went out one man short, and Dad had drawn the short straw and had to
stay behind. He was not happy about it.

For the Foggia mission SSgt. Ralph Knox was a sub on Capt. Whitlock's ship.

I'm proud of you Dad. Miss you.

Thank you, John, for posting that link. You honor your Dad letting us share in the story.

Kindest,
Doug

Amazing heroism!

It's amazing to read these articles. Your father sounds like a true hero!

Tks

Tks for your posting...My dad was a tail gunner on a B24 out of Itally as well and over Africa.....he was with the RAF and flew on a Avro Lancasters before his squadron flew the B24's.....thanksfor the memories!

Thanks for sharing the article. There are millions of stories to come from WWII, and you should be proud, not only of your father, but that at least a part of his story will live on.

You have been blessed,

Bob Kelly

The Greatest Generation

My dad was a waist gunner/radio operator on B-24's out of Foggia. He must have been there after your dad, as your dad attacked Foggia, and my dad was based there. He was 15th AAC, 456th Bomb Group, 747 Squadron.
A few months ago, his VFW post sent a selected few of their members to get a ride on the Collings Foundation B-17 and B-24. First time in the Lib since 1945, and it was so cool to see him get a 4 hour reprieve from being in his late 80's, back to being in his early 20's!!

Well done Mark. Very nice tribute.

Thanks for posting. My Dad flew P-38's out of Foggia in 1944. 50 missions with the 48th FS 14th FG 15th AF. He escorted many a Liberator. His first mission was to Ploesti, but by that time it was a different sort of mission than described in the article. Nonetheless, he did say that he was relieved that the fighter escort did not have to fly through the flak at the target, which was quite heavy, since they dropped the bombers at the IP and picked them up when they came out.