MILITARY SERVICE
A MOTHER'S DAY GET TOGETHER OVERSEAS
Louis joined the Marine Corp in 1938 and Jim joined the Army Air Force after WW2 started. Jim trained to be a CFC gunner for the B-29 Superfortress. While stationed in Guam and after 8 bombing missions over Japan his B-29 crashed. See below.
The B-29 Crash and Purple Heart Never Mentioned.
While many did not return from the Pacific. Both Jim and Louis survived WWII and went on to marry and raise kids of their own.
After 8 missions over Japan, Jim’s B-29 Superfortress The Queen Cathy, crashed in Guam on May, 19, 1945, two months after the battle for Iwo Jima ended.
The crash photos are from Jim’s personal collection. They were not recognized to be Jim’s plane until after the discovery of Gittelsohn’s eulogy. The family was aware of Jim’s crash and Purple Heart but it was never talked about.
One day at the Regopoulos house Ken’s wife came across Jim’s Purple Heart and brought it to Jim’s attention. “No, no, no” he said, “I don’t go there.”
Everyone aboard the Queen Cathy was injured and received Purple Hearts except the tail gunner, Andy Garcia, who was severely burned and died four days later. Over the years the remaining crew fought to obtain a rightful Purple Heart for their fallen comrade. Many, many years later with the persistence of the crew Andy’s wife received her husband’s Purple Heart.
THE LAST REUNION
Jim’s son Ken had the privilege of attending Jim’s last Crew Reunion. Ray Schwartz was so caring and loving and one could see the connection between these two men. Soon, Jim passed. The pilot Ed Flynn (Irish like Jim’s mother) came to his funeral to read over his remains.
