WWII Vets (1 Viewer)

[sammy719]

Hi all,

Had a amazing chat with "Harry" today at the Air and Space Museum in Tucson, he was a left waist gunner on the B-17 "Crazy House" during WWII and had some awesome stories and just listening to him talk about some of his adventures was a hoot!!! These days our WWII Vets are getting less and less, any chance you get a chance to talk to a WWII Vet do not take it for granted.

 

[larso]

Could you tell us some of his stories?

 

[sammy719]

Could you tell us some of his stories?

Yea... his most memorable part of WWII was a thrill ride in a P-38 during some down time, the pilot of the P-38 took Harry on a crazy joy ride sort of speak at one point they flew so low Harry was afraid the props would hit the ground!!!!!! During a combat mission the ball turret gunner had to be relived and Harry had a chance to fly the ball since he had a little experience.....A few days after the war ended in Europe there were some easy mop up B-17 flights going on..Harry was asked to go as it was a volunteer mission he turned it down, that B-17 crashed into the Italian mountains that afternoon.....just a few off the top of my head, again if you get a chance to chat with a Vet take advantage of the time you have.

 

[TomNT]

Hi all,

Had a amazing chat with "Harry" today at the Air and Space Museum in Tucson, he was a left waist gunner on the B-17 "Crazy House" during WWII and had some awesome stories and just listening to him talk about some of his adventures was a hoot!!! These days our WWII Vets are getting less and less, any chance you get a chance to talk to a WWII Vet do not take it for granted.

Great stuff Sam! Did you manage to get some volunteering work at the museum?

Tom

 

[sammy719]

Great stuff Sam! Did you manage to get some volunteering work at the museum?

Tom

Hi Tom..my schedule at work is just to unpredictable to volunteer, hope to at some point.

 

[sammy719]

UODATE***** As I went digging for info on Harry's plane I realized I misunderstood the name of his plane..."Crazy Horse" not 'House" which I thought was odd to start with, anyhoo...after much digging I found out Harry is Sergeant Harold M.Booth and received a good amount of WWII awards but what really caught my attention was Harry and his crew were shot down on a mission over Holland, pilot landed the plane in shallow waters somehow..the pilot was killed a few members were captured by the Germans and 4 other crew members including my own Harry Booth escaped capture and were hidden by the locals until being found later on by British troops!! Harry did not mention this!!!!!! I'll be going back asap to have another chat with my new found friend!!!!

 

[Currahee Chris]

Good Morning Sammy

Nice story, good of you to pass it on. I find it interesting how many WW2 vets are talking about their experiences nowadays. When I was a boy and living in Nuremburg, I got my first glimpse into WW2. As such, when my dad told me his father fought the Germans, I was over the moon. However, when he and my grandmother came to visit us for Christmas, my dad read me the riot act to absolutely not discuss any of his combat experiences with him. I of course did not, and as I got older, and did my time with the Army, I began to understand and appreciate why. He was in his late 60's when he passed away in '94.

About a decade later I ran into an old friend, Mr Harold Bailey, who remembered me being in the 2ID. He was with the Second in WW2 as well. I got to know him very well before he too passed away (1 year and 1 day after his wife ). He was good friends with Capt Charles MacDonald who went on to write the landmark Company Commander. At any rate, Harold told me all sorts of stories of his time with the 2ID and really took on the role of a surrogate Grandfather for me. I have kept his letters and other correspondence. They are both sorely missed.

 

[lancer]

My father had 3 brothers, 3 of whom (my dad included) were of age to serve when Pearl Harbor occurred. The 3 of them all enlisted within a week of PH, and having discussed their plans, all joined different service branches to diversify risk to their parents. All had college educations and thus ended up officers of varying ranks. My dad joined the Navy and started as an Ensign with Naval Intelligence. One brother joined the Army Air Corps and the other the Army Engineers. It is a pity but I never got my uncles to open up about their service, and had little more success with my dad. I do know my dad served on Bougainville and in Manila, P.I.
He took some photos of his time in both places, thus I have photos of him, native peoples, NZ Corsairs, ruins in Manila, etc. I know my dad pulled long hours during the Battle of Leyte Gulf as he was monitoring and reporting on radio traffic, following the action as it unfolded. He also told me stories about Bougainville and his meeting many New Zealanders and Australians. He said his biggest regret on coming home was not bringing back his M-1 Carbine that he had acquired. He was told it would be confiscated upon return to the US but when he left the ship, no one was checking anything so he could have brought it home anyway. I do have his issue M1911A1, the holster and pistol belt, some insignia (he ended the war a Lt.Commander) but no uniform items as he cleaned out his closet and dumped all that stuff while I was in college. A shame because he had several full uniforms in winter blue and summer khaki. He just wouldn't talk in detail about what he did. Guess he found it boring or old news, or perhaps an ingrained habit from being in intelligence. As a matter of interest, all 3 brothers made it home without a scratch after serving through the whole war. -- Al

 

[sapper]

My father served in WW2 in Papua New Guinea with the Royal Engineers. He never spoke much about the fighting but more about the comradeship and places he saw. I don't think it effected him as much as some others for he was able to have a good and meaningful life afterwards. He had a gentle nature and was able to raise and support our family. He died a few years ago at the ripe age of 92. I still treasure the medals he received. Just recently I discovered that my grandfather's brother served in Gallipoli and was then sent to the Somme. He lost his life serving as a ambulance driver. I think that was a great sadness to me that he must have seen some terrible things and have died so young. Wars are a unwanted evil but are part of human nature. Regards Greg.

 

[bromhead]

My father was a Radio -gunner in a B17,,survived 48 missions,,flak wound and a water landing,,MY uncles fought across France and Italy in the Infantry,,My grandfather enlisted in the army at age 40,,other grandfather was an NCO in the german army in Big One,,no one serves in mine or my wifes family after me,,a sign of our times

 

[sammy719]

My father was a Radio -gunner in a B17,,survived 48 missions,,flak wound and a water landing,,MY uncles fought across France and Italy in the Infantry,,My grandfather enlisted in the army at age 40,,other grandfather was an NCO in the german army in Big One,,no one serves in mine or my wifes family after me,,a sign of our times

Some awesome History in your family there brother!!!! any photos???