My Uncle Jim piloted them over Europe. Never found out a single detail, however. I was too young to inquire and he just wanted to forget.
He told us some things about it. Other things we found out from the paper.
He won the DFC with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
He was the youngest Lieutenant Colonel in the USAAF.
He used to pray before a mission that his bombs would not fall on innocent people. However, he always emptied his relief tube over Germany.
After the war, he was with Virginia Electric Power Company, and there was a trade fair in which a German company was selling ovens. The salesman said, “Yes, we Germans make very good ovens.” My Uncle said, “Yeah. We know,” in a cold cutting voice.
He was a man, a father, a Christian gentleman, and he loved us all as much as his kids.
He built a boat in his backyard - or tried to.
He taught me the hard way what a live circuit was and what wasn’t.
He could have been a general in SAC, but didn’t want to stay in the Air Force.
He was my uncle Bob. I miss you and Aunt Ann and will see you in Heaven.