YOUNGERS

On February 11, 1942, I enlisted at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. Completed Air Mechanix School at Sheppard Field, Texas, later I joined the crew of Capt. Rodgers. I was Asst. Eng. flying left waist, right tail stabilizer was cut off when right stowed waist gun fired. We all bailed-out over England, Capt. Rodgers was killed. After spending several days in the hospital I was released, a new crew was forming needing a tailgunner for which I volunteered. We were shot down July 28,1943 on a mission to Oschersleben. We ditched in the North Sea, Lt. Gorse, Nance, Hudson, Mc Ginnis and Sgt Maxwell and I survived. We spent 3 1/2 days in the life-raft before being picked-up by a German Air Sea flying boat a Dornier 217. Taken to the Island of Nordeney, then on to Frankfort, VII-A and then Railroad cars to XVII-B. Left camp April 8,1945, on a MARCH across Austria, camping out until we were liberated by the US Army May 3,1945. I married Uvonne Goettsch, Davenport, IA in 1948, 2 children, Julie Hutchings, Mark and 4 grandchildren. Worked as an Oper. Engineer in construction in the Quad-Cities of Iowa and Illinois, also was Business Representative for Local 537 International Union of Operating Engineers until retirement in 1980. Help organize EX-POW Chapters in Iowa and served as First Department Cmdr. of Iowa and held the office for 2 years. Life Member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and Military Order of the Purple Heart.