Medals
Received: Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple
Heart. A POW medal was sent later
Military
Job: Nose turret gunner on B-24 Liberator Bomber
Company:
McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
Occupation
after War: Design Engineer
Bio:
Flew with original crew from Hastings, Nebraska via Trinadad, Brazil,
Africa and on to Torreta Air Force Base in Italy. We flew twenty-nine
missions together and then I was a replacement gunner on my 30th mission
flying a bombing mission to Munich, Germany; but was shot down before
reaching the target. The crew bailed out; as I hit the ground and
started to gather up my chute to head for the woods, I felt something
hit the right portion of my back and was knocked to the ground; that was
followed by a shot through the right upper arm. I walked to the side of
the road and laid down. A priest came by and gave me a crucifix. I was
taken to a Catholic hospital where I was operated on the wounds in my
back and arm. After a month, I was transferred to an interrogation
center and then sent by boxcar to Stalag Luft 4. I was put in a room
with 19 other pow's that contained a coal stove and a table. We slept on
straw mattresses on the floor. According to the Geneva Convention, NCO's
were not required to do physical labor. We filled our days reading,
walking, talking, playing cards and some sports. Food consisted of
boiled potatoes, cabbage or carrots. This food was supplemented by Red
Cross packages. The Germans would puncture the cans to keep prisoners
from storing up food for an escape. While in POW camp, I met a POW who
had a Masters Degree in Engineering who encouraged me to go to college
when returning to the States. By early February of 1945 the Allies were
closing in from the East and we were forced to march to the Southwest.
During this time we slept in barns and were fed the food that was
prepared for the hogs. At one point on the march, someone stole my shoes
and I had to make sandals out of cloth cut from the bottom of my
overcoat and tied them on with string. I got blisters all over the soles
of both feet which made walking painful. Later on the march I found a
pair of shoes in a bombed out factory with wooden soles and leather
tops. On May 25th we marched into American lines near Halle, Germany at
which point the German guards turned over their rifles to the American
troops and we were free! Here we got "deloused", received new
uniforms and shoes. From here, we were sent to Camp Lucky Strike in
LeHavre, France where we were given good, tasty food. Also, egg nog each
afternoon. One day General Eisenhower came in to see why troops were
backing up and ordered leave for those who would like to go to London.
We received ten-day passes and advance pay. After eating our way through
London, we were sent by hospital ship back to the States. I went to Camp
Kilmer, N.J. and then home for leave and then on to Miami, Florida for
discharge.
Message to Future Generations:
German Nazism and Japanese Imperialism threatened the freedom of people
all over the world in the early '40s. Those of us who enlisted or were
drafted went to fight for our country. Although this was not a pleasant
experience and wars continue to rage in the world, I would not want my
children and grandchildren to have to be involved in conflict. However,
I would say to them that there are some things that are worth fighting
for. I would tell them to stay in school, continue their educations,
choose their friends and activities wisely, and keep their faith in God.
The United States of America must be protected for each succeeding
generation. Therefore, it is important to be informed about world events
and to take an active role in one's government by taking advantage of
the privilege of voting. It is necessary to educate future generations
about the wars America has fought on foreign soils to keep not only Americans
free, but those who are oppressed by tyrants who seek to force their
will on others. Many lives have been lost in all the wars fought by
Americans beginning with the Revolutionary War, then the Civil War, the
Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Viet Nam
and Desert Storm. By becoming aware of the causes of these wars, perhaps
future generations will be able to prevent other conflicts that would
take the lives of America's young people. May peace on earth, good will
towards men be the words by which we live in the future.
