PBS Program on 8th Air Force and Air War Feb 8

A program about the air war over Europe airs February 8, 2010.

Click here for trailer and info.

Memories for Sale: Airmen's Belongings Thrown Out

A sad scenario is being played out time and again in the United States these days. As our aging World War Two veterans pass away, the things that they treasured and stored for sixty years are being gone through by children and grandchildren who have no idea what they are dealing with. Unknowing or perhaps uncaring, they are throwing away or selling for practically nothing the treasures of their fathers and grandfathers. What's even sadder is that there are many people out there who make a lot of money going to estate sales and buying this stuff for pennies on the dollar and then selling it for hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the huge military collectors' market on the internet. Just look at eBay sometime and you'll find memories for sale by astute estate-sale shoppers who probably never bothered to point out to a grieving child or grandchild that the items they were selling are priceless.

A case in point. About ten or twelve years ago, I was shopping in the Salvation Army thrift store here in Idaho Falls, when there before me was an absolutely unblemished Eighth Air Force airman's uniform, complete with jacket, wool shirt, and trousers. Its original owner was a sergeant in the Eighth, stationed in England, and had the overseas bars to prove it. His name was Newcomb. This pristine uniform was stored for fifty years and then presumably thrown in with the other clothes after the passing of this veteran. I've never been able to trace him or his family. This entire 8th Army Air Corps uniform--coat, patches, shirt with patches, and trousers, cost five dollars.

These items belong in museums, not in the hands of collectors. I use my items frequently for teaching and display. When I can no longer use them to teach about the air war, they will go to a museum, but they will never be sold to collectors. These items are priceless.

If you have a veteran relative, make sure that arrangements are made to keep their treasures in the family or get them to someone who will use them for education and public display.

P-51 Mustang Salute

Three-Mustang low-level flyover

"Old Yeller" taxis in.
"Mormon Mustang" taxis in. Many Mormon pilots dubbed their steeds in honor of their faith.

Last June Geri and I went up to Rexburg to watch the Legacy Museum of Flight Airshow. Here are a few photos of P-51's, several owned by John Bagley of Rexburg. The yellow P-51 is the famous "Old Yeller" formerly owned by stunt pilot Bob Hoover.

95th Bomb Group Legend Robert Cozens Article

Bob's plane, Patsy Ann III, named after his lovely wife.

Bob's crew.

I found an excellent article about 95th Bomb Group pilot Robert (Bob) Cozens that covers his enlistment, training, and combat in wonderful style and detail. Bob was in the original 95th, and flew his missions very early in the war. He went on the infamous Kiel mission and was involved in both Munster and Schweinfurt. I am adding the link to this article with my highest recommendations. Bob and his wife Patsy are alive and well in California, and he has been involved in my novel-writing advisors group. You will need Adobe Reader to read this file.

http://www.goldengatewing.org/documents/Proptalk_2007-04.pdf

United States Post Office in Boca Raton, Florida Honors WWII Airman Leonard Herman

Leonard Herman's B-17 limps home from the Trondheim mission in 1943, on fire and alone. Leonard flew with the 95th Bomb Group and survived his 25 missions. He then returned to Europe and flew a second tour in A-26 and B-26 Medium bombers.
An A-26 medium bomber, above, similar to the one flown by Leonard Herman with the US 9th Air Force on his second tour of duty over Europe.

On May 22, 2007, Leonard W. Herman, who flew two combat tours over Europe in World War Two, was honored by having a US Post Office in Florida named after him.

This all started three or four years ago when he was nominated for a Medal of Honor under a Congressional Provision aimed at redressing the fact that Hispanic, Black and Jewish veterans were underrepresented in the awarding of medals during wars up to and including Vietnam. Though Leonard did not win the Medal of Honor, his service merited the post office naming, thanks to the tireless work of Congressman Wexler of Florida and Leonard's brother E. Edward Herman.

Leonard Herman lives in Columbus, Georgia, and is 90 years young. Congratulations, Leonard!!

Leonard's war experiences are now available in his memoir, Combat Bombardier: Memoirs of Two Tours of Duty in the Skies Over Europe in World War Two, and sold by Xlibris. The link for this book is https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=38755

The story of Leonard's role in changing US Occupation policy in post-war Germany towards concentration camp survivors is told in full in the book Untold Valor: Forgotten Stories of American Bomber Crewmen Over Europe in World War Two, published in 2006 by Potomac Books.

Following is the article about the post office, directly from Congressman Wexler's Website.

WEXLER BILL RENAMES BOCA RATON POST OFFICE IN HONOR OF JEWISH WAR HERO

WWII VETERAN LEONARD HERMAN HELPED SAVE THOUSANDS IN GERMANY DURING MILITARY SERVICE

(Washington, DC) Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation authored by Congressman Wexler honoring the service of the distinguished and decorated Jewish War Veteran Leonard Herman. The bill renames the Post Office located at 601 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton, Florida in honor of Mr. Herman for his incredible service as a bombardier in the United States Army during WWII. Mr. Herman flew in numerous combat missions over Germany during the Second World War in which his aircraft came under heavy enemy fire. Leonard Herman’s heroic actions during these engagements are credited with saving the lives of his fellow crewmen. His heroism earned him the high honors of a Purple Heart, an Air Medal, three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following the end of the war and during his second tour of duty, Mr. Herman joined a small group of young soldiers, including his brother Edward Herman, to save the lives of thousands of Holocaust survivors who continued to perish outside of German concentration camps due to a lack of adequate food, clothing, and medical supplies. Mr. Herman’s historic efforts to inform US government leaders of the plight of survivors were instrumental in influencing President Harry Truman’s decision to increase assistance to Holocaust survivors. “It is an honor to sponsor this legislation that will recognize Mr. Leonard Herman for his bravery and selfless service to this country,” Congressman Wexler said on Tuesday. “Although nothing we do or say can adequately repay Mr. Herman – or the countless other brave veterans of WWII for their heroism, the passage of this legislation certainly is a fitting and long overdue tribute.” Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee; and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee.