Gunner's tale is tribute to all veterans

SANDPOINT - Like the B-17s themselves, Steve Brixen heard the World War II veteran's voice before he met him.

Intrigued by the unseen voice in the Sandpoint West Athletic Club locker room telling a story, Brixen had to put a face to the story.

The two began a series of conversations, many about Clark Fork resident George T. Smith's service in the U.S. Army Air Corps and his days as a B-17 belly turret gunner.

Having read a bit about bombing raids during World War II, Brixen said he was enthralled.

"I thought this was a story worth telling," Brixen said. "George is a great guy. He's a true American hero along with all of those guys who served during the war."

Brixen said he's always had a soft spot in his heart for people who have been in the service, adding their service is what gives him the privileges. "I finally said to George, 'You've led an interesting life, have you ever thought about getting a book written?"

Well, yes, Smith responded. His children had always told him he should write down his story. Brixen offered his services.

He told his new friend he'd never attempted such a project but figured since he was retired, he had the time. Besides, he enjoys writing and the story was an important one to get down, Brixen told Smith.

A few weeks later, spent getting organized and buying a digital voice recorder, the project to record Smith's story - and honor the "Greatest Generation," those in the military and those at home - began.

After 100 hours of interviews as well as extensive research through Air Force archives and the National Archives, Brixen was ready to begin writing the book, which would later be titled "Clay Pigeons: The Life, Times and Survival of a B-17 Belly Turret Gunner."

The story is a familiar one, in a sense - like many other young men, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, George Thomas Smith enlisted in the Army, where he would serve in the Army Air Corps and fly 28 missions as a belly turret gunner on a B-17 bomber.

In the foreword to the book, Smith says he was "just a regular guy" and doesn't consider himself to be a hero.

"We, who joined the military to fight in World War II did not do it so we could toot our own horn," Smith says later in the book. "We did not enter into combat so we could call ourselves heroes. We did not put our life on the line so we could walk around with our chest all puffed out, acting like big shots. …

"We faced the dragons of war - individually and as a team - and we became dragon slayers. … We have lessons to teach. A coffin is no place for these lessons. Our memories need to survive our passing."

While the book is a story of Smith's life, Brixen said it is more than that. It is also the story of how Americans came together and united against the common threat of Japan and Germany following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

"I think the message in the book is that it's amazing what we can accomplish when everyone is on the same page, when we're threatened by someone and we're all pulling the rope in the same direction," Brixen said.

Figuring a large publishing house or book agent wouldn't give him the time of day, Brixen turned to the Internet and researched self-publishing companies.

He found one where the costs were reasonable and was willing to design the cover as well as work with Amazon.com and other Internet book sellers to make the book available for sale.

Whether he makes any money on the book isn't something he cares much about, Brixen said. "It'd be great if I get the money I put into it back but I think it's important that this is a cool story that needed to be told."

And, Brixen said, if it encourages someone to approach a veteran, whether they served in World War II or are serving today, to shake their hand and say, "thank you," than his book will have served its mission.

"These guys defended not only the Allies, but our own country without complaining," Brixen said. "How do we thank them for that? How do you do that? We should never take for granted all the privileges that we wouldn't have without the sacrifices of the guys and gals in the military.

"We need to thank them and shake their hand."

n Clay Pigeons: The Life, Times and Survival of a B-17 Belly Turret Gunner" is available through Amazon.com and other online sites.