Replies

I don’t think it’s possible to get over that one. A nearby (this is rural, so, about ten miles from here) family that’s not quite related to me lost their only son to Vietnam, and to the end of her life she talked about him.

Martin B-26G Marauder https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196275/martin-b-26g-marauder/

“had the lowest loss rate of any Allied bomber — less than one-half of one percent... In 1945, when B-26 production was halted, 5,266 had been built.”

...interesting....but the aircraft got a bad reputation because of its loss rate at the hands of usually inexperienced pilots.....

.....”The Martin B-26 Marauder is an American twin-engined medium bomber that saw extensive service during World War II. The B-26 was built at two locations....... the aircraft quickly received the reputation of a “widowmaker” due to the early models’ high accident rate during takeoffs and landings.”

Thanks for the info - my uncle wasn't talked about much when I was growing up, mid-western values taught to cover up such things and not show emotion.

My father was able to see a Marauder in a museum and completely broke down when he saw it - he was the kid brother and remembered my grandmother screaming and screaming and screaming in her upstairs bedroom, she fainted when the military personnel arrived to give her the news that her MIA son had been killed.

My cousin has done extensive research on the Marauder and its crews - my uncle replaced the pilot that day who'd gotten sick - that pilot survived the war.

Here is his photo with his crew:

I'm trying to get his Purple Heart that my aunt has (not related by blood) - that branch of the family is a dead-end. I'd like to give it to my son or nephew as we try to keep my uncle's memory alive.

We've decided as a family that none of our young will join the military.