Amen to that. When I was a young airman, I had the distinct pleasure of serving with a couple of older men (retired in so-called double dipper status) who had been doing the same in that war over Europe and the Pacific.
I especially like the story one told me about Dec 7th, (Dec 8th in the PI) 1941. He was a B-17 waist gunner who had a part time job as a bartender at the O’Club on Clark AB in the Phillipines. He worked late the night before and was allowed to sleep in. He was woke up by a buddy who told him they were going to bomb Formosa. While getting dressed the Japs attacked Clark Field. His plane made it through unscathed, and when he got to it, more than half the planes on Clark were destroyed.
He later flew out to Mindinao, and to Australia before the PI fell. He was later transferred to England, and had several enocunters he should have died from over Europe; too many to tell.
I love these old tales. I had to keep in mind, too, that the old guys telling them were, at the time, young fellows like me. Now, I’m an old guy like they were when they told me!
Wow.... Thanks for sharing that story.
You might like some of the stories on this old thread as well....
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2515571/posts?page=43#43
Stay safe ...!