95th Bomb Group Navigator Ellis Scripture's Words Ring True on Independence Day

Ellis Scripture was an amazing man. Known to his friends as 'Scrip', he was one of the top navigators in the Eighth Air Force. After the war, Scrip spent a lot of time keeping the history of the 95th Bomb Group alive, and encouraging the study of history. His biggest project was to help put together the book 'Courage, Honor, Victory', with Leonard Herman and edited by Ian Hawkins. (The book is now titled 'B-17s Over Berlin').

Scrip passed away in February of 2005, shortly after I had one last conversation with him. He was in very poor health, but his strong spirit still shone through.

Today, while working on the 95th Bomb Group history, I came across something Scrip wrote many years ago in a box of materials, and it hit me in the gut. It is a writing by a man who deeply loved his country and did not like where he saw it going in the post-war years. Scrips words speak for themselves, and I leave you with them, to ponder on this Independence Day, July 4, 2008.



"Over the last half century there may have been a tendency to put emphasis on the great air battles which we witnessed and perhaps in which we participated. After all, this is what war is all about, the ultimate contest of man versus man, mind versus mind, strategy versus strategy, courage versus courage. In retrospect, we played all of the above games and perhaps proved some points temporarily—but very few people care fifty years later…

It is amazing that World War Two is not included in the history courses in most schools…The words Patriotism, Liberty, Honor and Love of Country have been relegated to yesterday’s memories, replaced unfortunately by How much? and What’s in it for me?
Apparently, survival and satisfaction exclude love, respect for others, and being a good neighbor. Those with power today are the members of a vociferous minority who have learned that the quiet majority of good guys would rather quietly close the door and stay home rather than fight the good fight in the gutters and in the political arena.

Incidentally, I have never been able to sing the National Anthem since World War Two—I choke up with too many memories of great guys—and wonder many times what a wonderful world it would be if the flower of American youth could have lived to make their constructive contribution to our society.

It was a cold day in March 1943 when the 369 flight personnel of the 95th Bomb Group left Rapid City, South Dakota, for overseas deployment; 44 of those men (11 percent of the total) completed their first tour of duty. Twelve (12) of those volunteered for further combat. Two (2) were still on active flying status from England on V-E Day.

I hope that there are those younger and stronger who can and will save this wonderful republic from itself before it is too late. Personal responsibility for our own actions and a responsibility to, and for, others. It is not a quick fix, but perhaps it could be the beginning of an eventual formula for helping the America of tomorrow.”

Scrip, we're not going to let you down.

This is the only photo of Scrip I could find on the internet. It is his squadron photo, from Rapid City, South Dakota. Scrip is top row, third from left, a tall man, just in front of the left side of the window frame. Nearly all of these men were either killed in action, wounded in action, or became POWs. To view all their names, go to http://95thbg.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=131

...Lest we forget

One British Town Celebrates July 4--and the Pilot Who Saved It

Captain John Pershing Perrin, 1918-1944

July 4th is Independence Day in the United States, a day of family get-togethers, hot dogs, baseball games and fireworks. But for one small town in England, July 4 is the day chosen to honor the memory of Army Air Corps Captain John Pershing Perrin, who stayed with his aircraft and perished rather than letting it crash into the village of Stafford.


On July 4, 1944, Perrin had just taken off from Wharton, Lancashire, on what was to be a routine training flight to another town 160 miles away. The flight should have taken Perrin about forty minutes. Perrin was already an ace, meaning he had shot down five enemy aircraft, and was an experienced pilot. However, he was flying a P-51D Mustang for the first time. The plane had an 85-gallon fuel tank attached, and he was learning the P-51's flight characteristics with this added piece of heavy equipment.


Shortly after takeoff, a fuel leak developed in the engine. It became worse, filling the cockpit with fuel vapor and then smoke. Perrin was unable to see out of the aircraft. At this point, he should have bailed out, but chose to stay with the plane and attempt to land it at the nearest air base, as he was flying over a populated area. Perrin knew how explosive his plane would be with a full load of fuel, and didn't want to risk it.


According to one eyewitness who saw the last moments of Perrin's life: “It was a very courageous decision to stay with his craft, to accept the worsening risk of an explosion in the cockpit rather than bail out. He was skimming over houses and schools, people - untold others in the town, going about their daily business, kids walking home from school, and this then-pilotless plane, fuel-laden, would be crashing among them."



As Perrin attempted to bring the craft to an unpopulated area, the vapors finally exploded, killing him instantly. No one on the ground was injured.


So along with the United States, Stafford England will be having its own celebration today---honoring the valor of a brave American who gave up his life to save others. At today's ceremony, Perrin's relatives and British villagers, along with diplomats from both countries, will honor Perrin by dedicating an eight-foot stone monument in his memory.


The monument will be in the shape of Perrin's beloved Mustang.


The town also has a Mustang Drive in honor of Perrin.


The BBC website for Stoke and Staffordshire has an excellent article on Perrin and his last actions, and I highly recommend it. The link is http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2005/06/06/captain_perrin_feature.shtml



John Pershing Perrin ‘40
(b. November 5, 1918, Atlantic City, NJ-d. July 4, 1944, England)


Attended Toms River High School, Toms River, NJ


Entered Rutgers September 1936, attended one term


Entered Service March 11, 1941, U.S. Army Air Corps, commissioned 2nd Lt., January 14, 1942, 1st Lt., July 1943, Captain, April 1944


John served overseas in England where he died during a plane crash at Creswell, Stafford, England. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters posthumously.

In 2005, Stanley Jones, a British man who lived in Strafford as a child, recalled Perrin's final flight for a BBC online presentation entitled, "'Saviour of Stafford' WW2 pilot Captain Perrin."