Mike
Interesting comment your dad made about wondering if he would get home. My dad was from Canada and in 1939 joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Became a fighter and light bomber pilot. Went to England in 42 and flew until the end of the war. He was in Canada on his way to the Pacific when the Bombs were dropped on Japan.
He kept a diary and the first year in England was more about the non war stuff. He was the Squadron boxer and told stories of the ring (and pub) fights. As the war progerssed the diary got darker. Then in early 44 the last enrty. Something to the effect of I don't know why I write, I'll never make it home to read it. 1 in 3 RCAF pilots didn't make it home, but my dad did. There were no set number of missions for them. You just kept flying.
One interesting story. My dad voluntered to fly a light bomber alone at night with 1 piece of cargo. A man with a parachute. They flew almost to the German border where they rose to 7-800 feet opened the bomb bay doors and out the jumper went. Dad went back to England not knowing if the man made it or not. Never knew for sure what the mission was or even the mans last name. I was Army Airborne and made one night jump. I know how my heart was racing and my jump was for the fun of it. Can't imagine the thoughts going thru that mans head as he dropped out the bottom doors and pulled his chute behind enemy lines. A true hero that no one knows about. One of many.
I agree "The Greatest American Generation."
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Stewart Way 2424 SS
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