Warbird Information Exchange

Last night, I visited a friend of mine and we chatted with his dad. 93 year old, WWII veteran, an engineer on a B-24. Dan is feeble but, his mind is still doing o.k. His speech is slowed but, his laugh comes easily. He handed me a large, hard bound book that was the history of the 489th Bomb Group. Among the many photos was one of himself and his crew posed in front of their aircraft:"Tigers Revenge".
He then handed me a letter signed by the Adjutant, Maj. (Bernie??) Paul.
The letter read something to the effect of:
July 20, 1944, Tech/Sgt Dan xxxx,(service number), Engineer, B-24 , was instrumental in effecting repairs and transferring fuel when two engines rendered inoperable due to enemy attack; making it possible for the aircraft to return to it's home base. (England). Awarded Oak Clusters.

I handed the letter and book back to Dan. Stood up to leave and thanked him for his service.
He said," I didn't do anything".
I said, "you did what you had to"
He knodded his head and we said "good-bye".

Do you have a video camera or any type of audio recorder? You really should do an oral history interview with him. His story is important! I can send you a Timeless Voices Project Kit with a list of questions to ask. You wouldn't even have to do it for Timeless Voices...just do it to preserve his story.

Zack

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Curator - EAA Aviation Museum, Oshkosh, WI
"Let No Story Go Untold!"
http://www.timelessvoices.org

I cant agree with Zack more!

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/