This is our big brother, Jack. First child of John Robert Ward, Sr and Florence Margaret Drake. Jack would have three younger brothers and two younger sisters. He lived in Dayton until he was drafted on September 20, 1943. After training, he was assigned to 376 Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in Africa and Italy. Jack was top turrent gunner and flight engineer on a B-24. The crew assembled in Massachuesettes, sailed to Africa together, and survived their 50 missions togther, returning to America at the same time. Jack made the return sail on a hospital ship as their last mission was another crash landing. Jack has recorded 250 hours and 35 minutes of combat time. First mission was on 08-23-44, target Vessendorf oil refineries in Vienna, Austria. "Boy, we really got it good.Had a fire in the cockpit, hydraulic and electrical systems shot out. #4 engine shot out, #3 was missing on and off. Controls were partly shot out and fluttering badly. Had the first aid kit shot off the back of my neck by flack.I was scared to hell.Copilot ordered us to bail out over Vienna, but pilot(Capt McChesney) said he was staying so we did, too. One P-38 stayed with us all the way back. He really looked good. Made a crash landing at Foggia. Over 250 holes in the ship." I will add some to this bio later.
My family and I send a giant thank you and best wishes for all good things to happen for Amber N. What a super, wonderful person!!! The picture is perfect and we appreciate you taking the time to do this for us. God bless you.
May soft be the grass you walk on. May fair be the skies above you. May true be the joys that surround you. May dear be the hearts that love you.
My family and I send a giant thank you and best wishes for all good things to happen for Amber N. What a super, wonderful person!!! The picture is perfect and we appreciate you taking the time to do this for us. God bless you.
May soft be the grass you walk on. May fair be the skies above you. May true be the joys that surround you. May dear be the hearts that love you.
This is our big brother, Jack. First child of John Robert Ward, Sr and Florence Margaret Drake. Jack would have three younger brothers and two younger sisters. He lived in Dayton until he was drafted on September 20, 1943. After training, he was assigned to 376 Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in Africa and Italy. Jack was top turrent gunner and flight engineer on a B-24. The crew assembled in Massachuesettes, sailed to Africa together, and survived their 50 missions togther, returning to America at the same time. Jack made the return sail on a hospital ship as their last mission was another crash landing. Jack has recorded 250 hours and 35 minutes of combat time. First mission was on 08-23-44, target Vessendorf oil refineries in Vienna, Austria. "Boy, we really got it good.Had a fire in the cockpit, hydraulic and electrical systems shot out. #4 engine shot out, #3 was missing on and off. Controls were partly shot out and fluttering badly. Had the first aid kit shot off the back of my neck by flack.I was scared to hell.Copilot ordered us to bail out over Vienna, but pilot(Capt McChesney) said he was staying so we did, too. One P-38 stayed with us all the way back. He really looked good. Made a crash landing at Foggia. Over 250 holes in the ship." I will add some to this bio later.
My family and I send a giant thank you and best wishes for all good things to happen for Amber N. What a super, wonderful person!!! The picture is perfect and we appreciate you taking the time to do this for us. God bless you.
May soft be the grass you walk on. May fair be the skies above you. May true be the joys that surround you. May dear be the hearts that love you.
My family and I send a giant thank you and best wishes for all good things to happen for Amber N. What a super, wonderful person!!! The picture is perfect and we appreciate you taking the time to do this for us. God bless you.
May soft be the grass you walk on. May fair be the skies above you. May true be the joys that surround you. May dear be the hearts that love you.
