Guestbook

Thank you for all that you did. Courageous is insufficient to describe the bravery. As a son whose father participated in the efforts by landing on Normady on D-Day and ending up in Berlin, I appreciate the incredible sacrifices of all those involved in the greatest victory in history. To say it changed the world is an understatement. Again, thank you.

This is a great tribute to those who flew and fought in WWII.
I am proud of my father, Bill Owen, for all he did in that war along with his crew and all of the others who fought for our freedom.

My father is one great man, amongst many, but unique in his modesty and the honor he holds.

I was a pilot in the 457th BG, Frank Murphy was a fraternity brother and I had the honor of introducing him and his lovely wife to each other. We drifted apart and I am very proud to have known such a fine gentleman

Fascinating story.

Bill Owen is my brother-in-law and the family is very proud of his accomplishment as a B17 bomber pilot as well as his experienced flying as a fighter pilot. While he is a very humble man and has not sought glory he is never the less a caring and careful pilot to which his crew could attest. He is still living in Indianapolis Indiana and Columbus Ohio.

God bless America for your tenacity, bravery and freeing us from hell!

MIke
London

Hi, I recently asked you about a picture I had that belonged to Stuart H. Palmer of him with the813TH. Thank you for your quick responce. Did you get the aditional Photos and information that I sent you! And in the picture of the 813TH he is the one with the dark pants, bottom row, below the prop. all the way to the right, I think. Hope to hear from you soon.

Requesting any information about S/Sgt Marion L. Blaney 482BG 814BS killed in collision with other B24 when forming up from Wendling arbase Jan 29 1944. Any crew photos AC#42-7669. Buried at Cambridge England Cemetary.

I had the great pleasure of knowing Stuart Palmer,who is in the photo of the 813th SQDN. England 1944. He has an original photo, framed and signed, OG,T,1944 , in the bottom corner. He didn't talk about it much, but I would be interested in some sort of input from you people. He has reciently passed away and I don't Know if this picture belongs in a better place than my wall! I love it, But some how it seems as though it should be in a museum! Somebody Please get back in touch with me please!

My husband and I have had the good fortune to have known Bill Owen for quite a few years. Whenever I read any of the story of the 482nd, I am reminded of the first night I met "Mr. Owen" and he told a group of us who had gathered, about his war time experiences. It was something I'll never forget. I had never met anyone who had served in the Army Air Force during WWII and it was amazing to me, to hear what went on and how humble Mr. Owen was about it all. Blessings and thanks to all who served so bravely in the skies (and on land and sea too!) Thanks for the hard work on the website - very nice!!

Mary Price/Westerville OH

looking for my dad joseph a ornellas 440th sub depot 1943-1945

Great page honoring some brave and important men!

I'm really pleased to have found this site and the picture of my Uncle Donald E White who was top gunner on the first plane that bombed Berlin. Don was one of the 4 White boys who served during WWII. Their fifth brother was helping to build aircraft for Pratt & Whitney. My Dad was a bombardier on a B-24 in the Pacific, late in the war.

The family story was that Uncle Don was the first enlisted man over Berlin as a result of his position as top gunner. Don passed away about 5 years ago. All the White brothers have now made that final flight.

Honor and praise go to all you who have gone in harms way to protect the freedom and integrity of the nation that our founding fathers left to us.

Today (March 4, 2009) marks the 65th anniversary of the date when my 21 year old Dad climbed into a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, along with ten other young men, on a freezing cold dark night in England. They flew from their 482nd BG air base in Alconbury to the 95th BG base at Horham. Unexpectedly, later that day their 482nd BG H2S radar equipped B-17 Pathfinder would lead the 13th Combat Wing and B-17’s from the 95th and 100th BG’s to become the first American B-17’s to reach Berlin in WWII. The group bombed off the B-17 PFF “Bombs Away” flare. The target was the Robert Bosch electrical equipment factory at Lien Machnow in the southwest of the city. Due to the top secret nature of the PFF equipped aircraft very little attention was focused on the actual Flying Fortress that was the first over Berlin. For many years the claim of the 95th BG was “First over Berlin”. The lead 95th BG crew of the B-17 “I’ll be Around” of Lt. Al Brown and mission commander Col. Griff Mumford were featured in a Movietone video and Life Magazine article. The Mighty 8th Air Force museum has the accurate story of the first Berlin Mission and the crew that was first over Berlin. Today, only the pilot Bill Owen is alive to remember and reflect on the historic significance of that day. I plan to call Bill this evening, as my father always did, and thank him again for getting my Dad home safely on that day and on all the other missions he flew during the struggle in the skies over Nazi Germany. I would appreciate you taking a moment to remember this historical accomplishment of the 8th Air Force as “Big B” was finally reached. Remember the 95th & 100th BG crews of those 29 Flying Fortress’s, the 482nd BG crew of Lt. Bill Owen (listed below) and finally a scared, cold, brave young kid from Malden, Massachusetts who against all odds reached Berlin and made it home to later become my father. God Bless all our veterans and God Bless the men and women of the Mighty 8th…
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“Here’s a toast to the host of those who fly…
To the ones who will live and to those who will die….
Drink a toast, say a prayer for the next of kin…
For the target today is the heart of Berlin”
Excerpt from the poem by S/Sgt Preston Clark
Veteran of two missions to Berlin in 1944

I am the grandaughter of Eugene Samuel Engleman, Radio Man for 814th Bomb Squadron. My grandfather was born in Indiana. During his station in the UK met my Grandmother and I guess the rest is history. My grandfather has always talked insistently about his time in the USAAF and I am proud to have found this website and know he is a major part in American (& British - for my roots) history. Both my GF & GM moved back and forth for a number of years from UK to USA and back again until my GM passed away in 1991 (when I was just 12 years old) My Father was also born in Indiana and followed my GF in marrying a British woman, my Mom, I however was born in Alaska, but sadly now live in the UK as my parents divorced when I was a small child. This website is part of my heritage, my history and once again i'm proud for my GF to have been a part of it. I will talk to my GF next time I visit him about this site, hopefully my uncle will spend some time with him so he can use it too. If anyone knew my GF during his service please do contact me (Lonnie_79@hotmail.com)

hello all im doing research on a b-17 S.n.#42-3485 the name on the plane was "just right" any info on this plane would be great any pictures or bomb squadon numbers would be great. im doing this because im having its nose art hand painted on my A2 FLIGHT JACKET i need all the info on this as i can get thanks a bunch my email is mikevan201@aol.com

440th Sub Depot - Alconbury -
We were formed prior to the formation of the 482nd Bombardment Group ( RADAR ). We had to wait for the planes to land and be modified for RADAR use. Then to form the squadrons,bomb group, plus training. You will note that the squadrons had an official Squadron Patch but the BOMB GROUP DID NOT. Technically the bomb group did not exist according to Col. Bird. We took care of the bomb group. I designed the motto and plaque displayed during a few reunions we had, here in the states.The members voted on it.
The 440th Was the Best, Is the Best and will always be the Best. But the 482nd LED, FOUGHT AND TAUGHT. During their operational period they led 80% of the bombing missions over Europe. On D-Day they led 22 missions. DON'T LET ANYONE FORGET IT. "Lest We Forget"
Ex Sgt. Peter F. Ardizzi, 440th Sub Depot

My grandfather was a member of the 813th bomb Squadron. His name was SSgt Earl Kauffman and he flew with Lt./Capt. Davis' crew as the ball turret/waist gunner. He is the main reason I joined the service. He passed away last month on November 2nd, 2008. I don't know if any members of his crew are still around or access this sight but if they do I thought they should know if you would like to contact me p;ease by all means my e-mail is kauffmatt@yahoo.com.

Respectfully,
TSgt Matt Kauffman, USAF

My dad, Charles O. Lance, was assigned to HQs 483d Bomb Group at Alconbury, England. He was a NCO and I believed he worked in Operations. He passed away in 1993.

oh yea,also if anyone has any info or pictures of my grandfather BRIGG YOUNG i would love to be able to pass it on to my father.i think he served in the 813th Bomb Squadron with Robert Day.