Posted on 05/28/2004 1:51:11 PM PDT by pwatson
5-28-04
I watched the wings of the jet plane touching the blue sky as we were flying across the Atlantic Ocean. You could say it was a trip back in time to June 6, 1944. On that day my dad, Stuart Watson, was lead pilot of his squad of 11 B17 bombers of the 381st bomb group 8th Air Force http://www.381st.org/ . As they spread out the 4 groups each with 44 planes on the final turn to the Normandy Omaha beach, Dog Red Sector, he could see all manors of craft below carrying men and machine for D-Day. The battleship Texas just east of him was firing full broadsides of its 16” guns. Every bit of sea was covered with every size of craft available to the Allied forces that day. It was an incredible sight.
The date now is April 27, 2004 and we are returning from a University of Texas Alumni travel tour of the Normandy culture and history. Three of these days included trips to Omaha and Utah beach. This was the first time my dad had visited the area since D-Day. On June 6, 1944 the clouds covered the beach and most of the B17s dropped bombs long, delaying just a moment, fearing that American men were just below them on the beach. Unknown to them the landing craft were late due to rough seas. His plane carried 16 each 500Lb bombs that were supposed to carpet bomb starting out in the water and cascade up the beach taking out the obstacles and hit the German gun emplacements. As we rode in the modern bus the tour guide pointed out the still visible bomb craters in the lush green farm fields next to the coast. My dad expressed a long sigh of relief; all these years he had worried they might have taken out a village of innocent Frenchmen. Part of the brilliant Allied planning of “Operation Overlord” was to land in-between port towns where there were less people to allow the ground troops to work up the flank of the fortified towns. My dad’s bombs might have killed a few cows but missed any villages.
I had never heard any of these stories until my dad called me one day. He wanted me to go with him to see his 3ed showing of the movie “Saving Private Ryan”. While we were in line he began to talk. He told of how he had flown that day. He had been lead pilot. He said the bombardier at the last moment delayed the drop, fearing Americans were beneath the clouds. It had been a split second decision, one my dad had felt terrible regret about for years. If only his bombardier had asked him, he would have ordered them to stick to the plan. When the men hit the beach they found most of the guns intact and the Germans began to kill them before they could even get off the landing craft. The losses were heavy. My dad flew 25 of his required missions and went back to the States and then returned to finish with a final 47 missions. When he came back from the war, just like all the Veterans of WW2, they were ashamed that they had made it when so many other good men lost their lives. So they just went about creating for us the greatest nation and standard of living the earth has ever known. To talk about the war was bragging and a dishonor to all the better men that did not make it. The Greatest Generation. I never knew my own dad had been a War Hero.
My dad ended up retiring from Arco Oil company and became a board of director with a small oil company called Harken Oil. They decided to buy out a small West Texas oil company that had several good oil leases. In return they put the owner on the Board of Directors, his name was George Bush. My dad often talked about what a memory Bush had, he remembered every persons name, family, kids, where they worked and went to school, that he every met. My dad would rave about what a amazing man George was, smart, kind, wise, religious and humble. My dad walked 2 miles every morning at sun up. At one Harken board of directors meeting in NYC as he went out the door that morning George Bush was returning from his morning exercise run. As they met in the morning air, my dad said “George have you ever considered running for elected office?” George just smiled saying he had thought about it. My day replied well you should, you would be a great benefit to the country.
We had come full circle, from Texas to WW2 to UT law school, Harken oil and 3 successful children. As we walked the American Cemetery at the Normandy coast we were moved by the thousands and thousands of crosses and stars of David. It was the most manicured grass and beautiful place I had ever been, hollowed ground. We walked among the graves for some time, attempting to take it all in. Back on the plane returning home I leaned over the isle and asked my dad, what was it you were saying there at the American Cemetery? I had noticed him talking when we had wondered ahead. “You done good boys!, I told them “You done good boys!
There goes the darn monitor, getting all burry again.
Tell your father THANK YOU FOR HIS SERVICE and that we appreciate all that he did for us and that we are grateful!
I've heard it said that the first wave of American troops at Omaha was essentially wiped out, to the last man.
The only reason the landing on Omaha succeeded was that this overheated the German machine-guns, jamming them and allowing the second (and subsequent) wave to survive, and eventually, prevail.
My Dad was there too. On Omaha beach. We could never fully understand the sacrifices they made for us!
bttt for the brave and courageous
My uncle, Lee "Tex" Gibson, was a togglier/gunner on the Piccadilly Lilley (B-17)and member of the Peterson crew. He flew 33 missions and they only missed one target. Two of their missions were at Battle of the Bulge and Dunkirk. All the members of their crew are still living. Uncle Lee is an official member of the Lucky Bastards Club.
There is a book written about their squadron titled Two Ladies and Nine Gentlemen from Hell.
Not one of my four uncles that served overseas in WWII has ever said much about those years.
Sorry everyone, in my blondeness I'm realizing that I posted on a D-Day invasion thread.
cool, my Uncle was navigator with the 458th Bomb Group in a B-24 that morning. Leo Penn, Sean Penn's father, was a bombardier in the same group that morning.
words cannot describe the sense of humility, pride, awe and love within my soul for the man that your father - and the millions others who served in WWII - is.
When I contemplate their lives; when a son of a hero is kind enough to share a glimpse of these miracles with me, I can only think of one thing: that these men are Americans, and that I feel myself the luckiest man alive to know that they are our - indeed, mine - fellow countrymen.
Give your dad many, many great and strong bearhugs. Tell him in all the little things how much he means to you; thank God for him everyday. Tell him that despite the clouds on the horizon, there are millions of us who give thanks to God for men such as he, and that we will not forget. We who know what your father and his brothers did will never dishonor him.
And as you live every minute of your life in honor of your father, there will be no need for words... you will see in his eyes that everything he has done, all the dangers he has faced... all his dreams in you have come true.
God Bless you both, and God Bless America
CGVet58
My husband and I will be visiting Normandy in mid-July. To get ready for the trip, I bought a *Michelin Tires #102 Battle of Normandy (reprint of the 1947 map)*. This map shows all of the battles, roads, dates for troop advance by location, etc. Pricey at $12.95 (at Borders) -- but priceless,I think for this trip. My Dad's brother was a part of the D-Day invasion, where he earned his silver star. We hope to follow in his unit's footsteps during our visit.
I would be interested in hearing recommendations about visiting Normandy. We have been looking at the tours -- but don't know which one to select. If you have any suggestions, I would very grateful for your guidance.
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Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle 1908-1944
Castle Air Force Base located in Atwater, California was named in honor of Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle. General Castle earned a Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions while leading a 2,000 aircraft bomber formation over Europe on December 24, 1944. General Castle was born October 14, 1908, in Manila, Philippines. After serving two years in the New Jersey National Guard he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After graduating from the Academy in June 1930 he was assigned to the Air Corps for flight training at March Field, California, and Kelly Field, Texas and completed his training in October 1931.
General Castle served as a pilot and Assistant Operations Officer with the 17th Pursuit Squadron at Selfridge Field, Michigan, until February 1934 when he resigned and returned to civilian life, holding reserve status with the New York National Guard.
Reentering active service in January 1942, General Castle was one of eight officers selected to accompany Major General Ira Eaker to England to form the Eighth Air Force.
Promoted to Colonel he took command of the 94th Bomb Group and in April 1944 he became the commanding officer of the 4th Combat Bomb Wing. He led many combat missions, including a mission to Regensburg and in November 1944 he was promoted to brigadier general.
On December 24, 1944, on his 30th bombing mission, General Castle was killed while leading an air division of B-17s over Liege, Belgium. En route to the target his plane lost an engine, forcing him to drop from the lead of the formation and his aircraft was then attacked by German fighters. Since he was flying over friendly troops on the ground General Castle refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed. All of the crew except General Castle and the pilot were able to escape before the plane exploded.
His Medal of Honor citation reads, in part, " ... Repeated attacks started fires in two engines ... realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he gallantly remained at the controls to afford other crewmembers an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks ... and the bomber plunged earthward carrying General Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save members of the crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service."
His military awards and decorations include the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters.
Good afternoon, Ma'am,
it's been over 25 years since I toured the Normandy fields - and I did it much as you & your husband are planning, by first buying the maps, then striking out on my own. I went twice; once during spring where I could spend a few days without the crowds, and again in 1979 during the D-Day remembrances. Both visits were fulfilling.
Truth be told, though I'm certain there were tours to be had back then, I never bothered to look them up; I was always one to go off the beaten path (and was almost AWOL, but that's another story...) when visiting foreign lands.
For my part, the national cemetaries are Holy Ground, and though to our eyes we cannot see beyond this world, I am certain that our fallen kin can sense our presence and respect for their deeds.
CGVet58
I thank your dad for his service.
My Father-in-law was running a Higgens boat onto Omaha Beach, your dad probably flew over him.
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