Conflict: World War II
In mid-November 1944, a B-24 crashed in the jungles of Borneo after being shot down by the Japanese. Some of the young crew (ages 18 to 22) managed escape by parachute, but when the survivors landed, they were lost in … Continue reading
Conflict: World War II
“During WWII, U.S. military personnel spread the popularity of chewing gum by trading it and giving it as gifts to people in Europe, Africa, Asia and around the world.” One example of this occurred in 1944 with Gardner M. Reynolds … Continue reading
Conflict: World War II
Inflatable life jackets, invented in 1928, quickly became part of the USAAF (United States Army Air Forces) flight gear. What also came quickly was their nickname: Mae West. After the plane hit on the tail and then went forward on … Continue reading
Conflict: World War II
On June 26, 1943, Japanese night fighters attacked the B17E “Naughty but Nice” with 1st Lieutenant Jose L. Holguin and nine other crew members aboard. “Our aircraft received a direct hit on No. 1 engine, causing it to burn. No. 2 engine … Continue reading
Conflict: World War II
A child of Italian immigrants, Louis Zamperini ran the 5,000 meters for the US Olympic team in 1936 and shook hands with Hitler. In March of 1941, he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces and served in the Pacific … Continue reading