Wattensaw Press
As Memorial Day approaches, here is a post for the United States senators, including one from our state, who recently voted against funding for veteran’s benefits.
The men of the Delta stepped up when the call for service went out after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They entered all branches of the service, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and the Army Air Corps. All were dangerous in their own way but there is something particularly terrifying about the latter.
A special breed of man volunteered as a ball turret gunner on a B17 Flying Fortress. He would be a small man, not as large as the proud crewman pictured below who is an unknown person from family photos. The plane carried a crew of ten and the crew was first required to fly 25 missions. As the war wore on, this figure was raised to 30, then to 35, an escalation forming the basis for Joseph Heller’s classic book Catch-22. In reality, the average crew could expect to fly 8 to 12 missions before being shot down or disabled.
Some fortunate ones, such as a friend of mine—now gone—survived the greatest ordeal. As the captain of a Flying Fortress, he bailed out of his plane, last, as it hurtled toward the ground. In his 21st year, he “walked out” of Germany. More than 50 years later, he wouldn’t tell exactly how he did it.
The ball turret was the glass-enclosed bubble descending from underneath the plane’s undercarriage. It was so cramped that, even though they selected small men for the job, it was impossible to operate within it while wearing a parachute. Some survived the war, but few intact.
The 8th Air Force, which flew daylight bombing runs over Nazi Germany, suffered one-half of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ casualties in World War II (47,000-plus casualties with more than 26,000 deaths). The Eighth’s personnel also earned 17 Medals of Honor, 220 Distinguished Service Crosses, 850 Silver Stars, 7,000 Purple Hearts 46,000 Air Medals. Many more uncounted awards were presented to the 8th AF veterans.
The courage of these crews tests our ability to comprehend. These were 18-year old crew members led by 21-year old officers. Only one in five was expected to survive physically intact. After that war, America didn’t forget its veterans. The result of the GI Bill’s college program helped create one the greatest economic booms of our country’s history and the VA hospitals provided care for millions of veterans. The housing program provided homes for millions.
We can only hope this appreciation continues for the brave men and women returning from service today. The news doesn’t paint a favorable picture.
Write a comment
Terrell Felipe (Friday, 03 February 2017 16:51)
I think this is among the most vital information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The web site style is great, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers
Nisha Letts (Saturday, 04 February 2017 11:16)
What i don't understood is if truth be told how you are now not actually much more smartly-liked than you might be right now. You're so intelligent. You realize therefore considerably in terms of this matter, produced me in my opinion believe it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men aren't fascinated unless it's something to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. All the time care for it up!
Major Duhart (Saturday, 04 February 2017 18:19)
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
Hiram Gorgone (Monday, 06 February 2017 00:00)
Hi there, its good post on the topic of media print, we all be aware of media is a enormous source of data.
Albina Brin (Monday, 06 February 2017 00:30)
I have to thank you for the efforts you've put in writing this blog. I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own website now ;)
Tasia Truss (Monday, 06 February 2017 08:49)
Fastidious respond in return of this difficulty with real arguments and explaining all regarding that.
Loma Shumway (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 03:22)
It's remarkable for me to have a web site, which is good in support of my experience. thanks admin
Cyndy Maly (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 08:47)
When some one searches for his necessary thing, so he/she wishes to be available that in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.
Latricia Ayers (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 08:56)
I like the helpful info you provide to your articles. I'll bookmark your weblog and test again right here frequently. I am fairly certain I will be told many new stuff proper here! Good luck for the following!
Luis Matthes (Wednesday, 08 February 2017 11:06)
I've read some good stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much attempt you place to create such a excellent informative website.
Jesus Trask (Wednesday, 08 February 2017 16:24)
Hello, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this blog post. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Edison Bentz (Wednesday, 08 February 2017 20:54)
Excellent blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I'd really love to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Kudos!
Katharine Jeanbaptiste (Friday, 10 February 2017 02:53)
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO? I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Thanks!