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380th Bomb
Group Association NEWSLETTER #45 - Winter 2010/2011 |
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380th Bomb
Group Association NEWSLETTER #45 - Winter 2010/2011 |
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MAIL CALL
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Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 1:24 PM Taps for Waldo W. Meyers - 380th Bomb Group Association, 5th AF, RAAF (The Flying Circus) It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the passing of Waldo W. Meyers, TSGT, 528th Squadron, 380th Bomb Group (Herman Corrado's crew). Our dad died September 5 and was interred with full military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on September 10. Your 380th Bomb Group newsletter #38 (Spring 2009) Mail Call section published letters and a photo of Dad with his pilot Herman "Rudy" Corrado. Thank you for sending the newsletters to him these last few years - he enjoyed reading them very much. If possible, I would like to continue his membership and receive future newsletters. I have attached some photos which may be of interest to other veterans and/or their families. They include both sides of his handpainted flight bag (he earned extra money and/or bottles of liquor to barter by painting other crewmembers bags), his dress hat with the flag and shell casings from his military burial ceremony, and 3 of the pins/tags he removed from bomb releasing mechanisms with his notes on the date and target of the mission. He kept a pin/tag from each of his 32 missions. Sincerely, Robert L. Meyers (son)
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from Tony DiNardo
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 4:10 PM
subject Ray Colie
Mathew:
I read your message in the News 44 380th Newsletter about your grandfather. My name is Tony DiNardo. I was the bombardier on Blum's crew, and contacted Harry Blum, our pilot, and Bob Winters, our nose gunner, to confirm our joint recollections. I'm happy to tell you that indeed your grandfather did fly with our crew, and that he is the man kneeling in the crew picture, second from the left as you thought. The person to Ray's left is Bob Winters and the one on the far right is me--Harry Blum is standing third from the left, and the other crew members have passed on.
Ray joined our crew as a waist gunner when our original gunner was transferred to another crew. Thus, while he flew a few earlier missions with other crews, he flew most of his missions with us. He was an excellent gunner, with a quiet, confident manner, and an integral part of the crew.
P.S. to Barbara--I was happy to see such a clear picture of our crew. We tried once before, but the result was blurred. The picture we are talking about was taken the day we returned from Male Call's 100th mission. She was an "old" Model D with no nose turret, but mechanics had attached one from a damaged Model J. It leaked water in storms down onto me, and the hydraulic fluid from the turret dripped a little, but she took good care of us.
Glad we could help Mathew.
Tony
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 at 3:52 PM
subject 380th Bomb Group Association
Dear Mr. Williams and Ms. Gotham:
This is a special letter of thanks for preserving the memories and honor of our fighting men and women from the Second World War. I just came from a 90th birthday celebration for my grandfather. My mother recently told me, of our entire family, I am the only member to whom my grandfather has ever given any details of his service. After putting together some of his war stories and factoids, I stumbled upon your website. Through your careful records and wonderful hard work, I was able to piece together the solid fact my grandfather is Radio Operator Technical Sergeant Seymour Shapiro of the 380th Bombardment Group, 529th Squadron. Through your website, I was able to learn great details never before captured by anyone in the family. My grandfather confirmed today, my findings are 100% accurate. This is exceptionally meaningful as he is very humble and has remained virtually silent for so many years regarding the tremendous sacrifice he and so many others made in loving service to a grateful nation. I cannot thank you enough for making these findings possible. Since, we have recovered his uniform, a medal for good conduct, and his Army ring which he gave to me today. We cannot thank you enough.
Best Regards and many thanks on behalf of my entire extended family,
Joshua A. Sirt
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from Ben Bevers Tue, Oct 5, 2010 Dear Barbara, I found group photos of crews from the 380 in my uncles papers and wanted to share. My uncle Acft Cmdr; Gunnery Officer Aaron Paul Bevers. There were 12 photos minus one that was cut out (unk reason), Paul's crew on middle bottom of photo. He and his crew were in the Flying Circus newsletter # 41. Hope you can use them. Sincerely; Ben Bevers
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From: Bob Livingstone Thursday, November 04, 2010 6:24 AM Subject: Alley Oop crash Barbara, A pic associated with the Alley Oop accident. Bob
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from: Michael Grados Tue, Nov 30, 2010 at 5:45 PM Subject: MILADY B-24 Picture Barbara, Here is an image given to me by my father of his Uncle, Mike Simon in front of the B-24 MILADY. I appreciate your efforts in maintaining the history of WWII aircraft and the crews behind them. Please feel free to use this image as you see fit. Mike Simon is the middle of the three men, the other names are unknown. Thanks again, Capt Mike Grados USAF
If you know who the other fellows are in this photo, please contact Barb Gotham
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From: Natalie Richards
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2010 3:22 PM
Subject: WWII Information
Dear Ms. Gotham,
My name is Natalie Richards, and I work for SR Education Group, an education resource provider. I recently created a World War II resource that was inspired by my grandfather, a WWII Navy Chief. After hours of sitting around his kitchen table, this war, with its rich historical context and sociopolitical implications, has become one of my favorite subjects.
I was looking at your 380th Bomb Group Association website, and I thought I would offer this resource to you in case you, or the people who visit your links to related sites, might have any interest. http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/library/wwii
Thank you for your time.
Best,
Natalie Richards
Project Manager
SR Education Group, Inc
From: Richard Wardman
To: Ted Williams, Barbara Gotham
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 6:58 AM
Subject: Visit to Jefferson Barracks War Grave for Aussie Uncle and American Flyers in Big Ass Bird
Theodore J Williams
The 380th Bomb Group Association
About three years ago we exchanged emails about the fate of the USAAF Liberator 'Big Ass Bird' which was carrying Australian commandos to a raid in Western New Guinea. The aircraft crashed on 19 March 1944 killing all on board. My uncle, Geoff Mitchell-Burden was one of those commandos.
This month I am visiting Canada and the USA for the first time. The penultimate leg of my journey will be to St Louis MI, where my daughter and I plan to visit Jefferson Barracks War Cemetery and honour my uncle's memory by placing a simple wreath on his grave.
The grave is a communal grave for all the men who perished in that aircraft, and I would like you and other veterans know that, by this act, I am hoping that all those brave men will be honoured and memory of their deeds kept fresh.
Regards
Richard Wardman
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from: Gene Stadler Wed, Jan 5, 2011 at 1:16 PM subject: A must read Dear Barb, I was completely mesmerized when I read Laura Hillenbrand's book UNBROKEN. It is a true story of the life of Luis Samperini. Much of the book deals with his wartime experiences as a bombardier on B-24s and about his POW experiences. The book is so well written that once you begin you can't put it down. Gene Stadler
Released in November 2010 by Random House, Laura Hillenbrand's (Seabiscuit) Unbroken is the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who endured incredible hardships during World War II.
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Last updated: 07/09/2012 07:46 PM
