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SPECIAL WWII CHRISTMAS EDITION!
FROM THE PREZ
It's been a long 6 months since our last communication, but things are going great. As you can see the website is back up and running with new pages and new information. There are too many changes and additions to list here so you'll just have to look around!
The 444th Bomb Group Documentary DVD "Liberty Through Victory" is available once again! We were finally able to afford professional duplication - We are now able to offer the DVD at HALF the cost. We would like to extend a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to all of you who paid the original price. Your purchases allowed us to pay for the mass duplication and thus lower the price and hopefully sell more total copies.
More information will be coming in the next few months regarding the 444th BG Museum Project. We now have three museums that we have narrowed it down to. That's all I can say for now but I will definitely keep you all informed.
As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact me directly or via the 444th BG website.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from all of us at the 444th BG Association!
"Ding Hao"! (Very Best)
Bill Howe
Founder / President
444th BG Assoc.
LETS HELP THESE FOLKS OUT!
I am a volunteer for theRetired Activities Office located in
Jerry Pace
Hello, My name is Daniel Kost and I'm interested in any info you might have regarding my wife's Great Uncle who I think was in the 444th when he was killed. The family story is that Robert Finneran was an engineering officer that was killed in a B-29 Crash on
Daniel Kost
I am attempting to get information about T/Sgt Floyd E. Lane Serial # 15086150.
As I recall he was a navigator/bombadier on a B/29 based in
Any information you could provide appreciated.
Kenny Vaughn
317-996-3707
I am contacting you regarding the Princess Eileen I - IV. My wifes father Donal D. Bloodgood operated the central fire control station on Captain Silers crew. I have enjoyed your site very much, I have a correction. You have him listed as Daniel Bloodgood. Please note that his name was Donal Dilly Bloodgood (no D at the end of Donal). He passed away in 2000. He is buried in the
I understand he was in the first B 29s to arrive in the Pacific and the Princess Eileen crew was one of the most experienced in the war. They were shot down May 26, 1945. He told us of the last moments on the plane before it went down, and of his horrendous experiences at the hands of the Kempei Tai as a POW in
After WWII Don went on to become a pilot in the United States Air Force. He served in
We have saved his entire scrap book from his service in the Pacific. I believe we have photos of the Princess Eileen I, II and IV. They are much better photos than you have on your website.
I was honored to have known this man for 28 years. Let me know what information would be of value for your website.
Stephen Bochinski
Cell: 760-207-4804
NEW MEMBER NEWS
Welcome to our new members, thanks for your support.
And thanks for the info on
Jamie Vergenz, WI
My Grandfather was assigned to this until during WWII.
Bill
I am an Aviation fan, and son of WWII vet. (And a good friend...Hi Bill! ED.)
Carey D. Tremaine, WA
Son of Capt. Elliott S Tremaine, deceased.
My father served in the 20th Air Force, 444 Bomb Group 58th Bomb Wing 677 Squadron.
This is the first time I've truly looked carefully at the site and I'm thrilled. My Dad was so special and he was proud of his service. So are all of us. He died in 1995. He was the Radioman of his crew and he maintained his interest as a hobby throughout his entire life.
Alex M. Felser, NJ
I am a Veteran. (Thank you for your service, Sir! ED.)
Sewall P Bronstein, FL
I was a maintenance officer in the 444th group in
Does the Ass. have a list of living members of the 444th how could I contact those whom I knew? (Thank you for your service, Sir! ED.)
Owen Ashurst, WA
My uncle, 1st Lt Owen P Walls, was a B-29 pilot in the 678th Bomb Squad. His crew is featured in the article supplied by Betty Gracie about "Pete Sabo." I provided some of the photographs that are used on the site.
Is it possible to contact other members thru this site? Like to contact vet's who may have known my uncle under these circumstances. Many thanks in advance to for your efforts!
LAST FLIGHTS
Our recent Fallen Heroes:
Alfonse A. Stevens
Our dad was ground engineer in the 444th. He passed away on May 5, 2010. The funeral was May 11. I have seen his "year book" of the 444th. We just need to find it. I wish we had known about this website so dad could have seen it. He lived in
I saw dad's name on the register. Do you know which squadron he was assigned to?
From Bob & Ricky Stevens, NC
bsuscwmse@aol.com rickystevens@earthlink.net
Guido E. Ransleben Jr.
My father passed away this weekend. He was a contributor to your site and spoke about his service time often.
I just wanted you to know.
Winnie Schubert
Daughter
wdschube@yahoo.com
LAST FLIGHTS is the only part of this Editors job that is unpleasant, or at least sad. 444th BG Association Prez Bill (my Son) and I lost our B-29er (my Dad) years ago, still miss him dearly, still feel the hurt when one of his comrades goes to join him. We would like to honor our fallen heroes with these thoughts:
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
(Author Unknown)
And a gentle reminder...to those of us fortunate to still have a B-29er in our lives, please do not delay your visits, phone calls, thoughts and prayers for these brave Americans, our National Treasures. Some day it will be too late, and they deserve all the love, respect and gratitude we can muster before that day comes!
AND NOW SOME GOOD NEWS...SOME VERY, VERY GOOD NEWS!
FIFI is flying again! Good work CAF, and all who are part of this noble effort.
www.commemorativeairforce.org - http://www.cafb29b24.org/
Honoring American Military Aviation through
flight, exhibition and remembrance
Photo by Kristine Pilgrim
In 1945, he won a Pulitzer Prize for distinguished service as a cartoonist and the Allied high command awarded him its Legion of Merit. His illustrated memoir, Up Front, was a bestseller. That same year, his dogface Willie appeared on the cover of Time.
U.S. Postal Service art director Terry McCaffrey chose to honor Mauldin through a combination of photography and an example of Mauldins art. The photo of Bill Mauldin is by John Phillips, a photographer for Life magazine; it was taken in