A tribute to George McGovern

The passing of George McGovern brings back memories of the time when we were flying from B-24 air bases near Cerignola in Italy. Our planes were in the same formations, going over the same targets together, and getting shot at by the same flak guns.

The book "The Wild Blue" tells of the men and boys who flew the B-24s over Germany.

“The very young men who few the B-24s over Germany in World War II against terrible odds were an exceptional band of brothers … their extraordinary brand of heroism, skill, daring, and comradeship … The Army Air Forces recruited, trained, and then chose those few who would undertake the most demanding and dangerous jobs in the war. These were the boys — turned pilots, bombardiers, navigators, and gunners of the B-24s — who suffered over 50 percent casualties … Many went down in flames.

“Twenty-two year old George McGovern … flew 35 five combat missions (all the Army would allow) and won the Distinguished Flying Cross” for nursing his plane with two engines shot out to the short, emergency airstrip on the tiny Isle of Vis.

I still remember that on days that I did not fly, I would go down to the airfield to watch the approaching planes returning from a mission. Some were badly shot up, and I still weep when I think of those shooting off flares, wounded aboard.

Goodbye brother George.

JOSEPH HENRY WYTHE

Sandpoint