I got the privilege of riding in the B-17 Flying Fortress, and it was not quite as loud as I had expected, but was definitely exciting. Seeing familiar landscapes from above was great, but the knowledge that I was flying in a fully-functional piece of military history was a thrill. I imagined being a 20-year-old far from home, trying to stay warm at 30,000 feet, or attempting to do my job on a mission, while hoping anti-aircraft fire didn't rip through the bottom of the plane.
After my flight with other members of the media, I watched the crowd pour through the gates to see the planes, and almost immediately I began to hear stories. As time passes and veterans age, the chance to hear some of these stories first-hand is fading.
A man with a white t-shirt that says "351st Bomb Group, 1943-1945" is hard to miss on the tarmac, and I quickly got to know 92-year-old Dan Johnson of Symsonia, who recalled flying 35 missions on a B-17 Bomber just like the one in town, nicknamed "Nine-o-Nine." He said he was supposed to be a radio operator, but his commanding officer changed his assignment as soon as he saw him.
Johnson said, "I said, 'I'm first-class radio,' and he said, 'You're little, we've got to have a ball turret (gunner).' In a minute he said, 'You can transfer,' but after I met the crew I didn't want to transfer."
He said his longest day in the ball turret was about 8 hours, and the longest mission he recalls was about 12 hours, with 7 in the ball.
Entering or exiting the turret could only done when it was turned a certain way, and it required power to rotate. When asked if he ever got stuck in the turret, Johnson said no, but then corrected himself, saying the plane once landed with him down below.
"I guess it was stuck. The power went off, and I had it pointed to the front," Johnson said. "I told the pilot, 'just take her on in.' He said, 'You're not scared?' and I said, 'Nah.' Boy, that ground came up fast!"
He and his 88-year-old bride have a son and daughter, and have lived in Symsonia 60 years. After he left the service, Johnson worked in construction.
Johnson said another time on side of the landing gear wouldn't lower, so the pilot brought the plane down on the edge of the blacktop, and held the plane up as long as he could. When he let it drop, it spun into the mud, and nobody was hurt. Johnson credited that landing to the level-headed pilot, who was "the old man," in his mid-20's. Everyone else on board was 21-22 years old.
Johnson said one of his war buddies is still alive, and they keep in touch. That man was a navigator, but they weren't on the same plane all the time. The last time they talked, Johnson told him, 'I'm 91 now.' His buddy said, 'I got you beat, I'm 96.'" Johnson said his friend has not been in good health lately.
Chuck Heyduck and his wife, Marj, were at Barkley Regional Airport to see one plane in particular - the B-24 Liberator, ". That's because the name of Chuck's brother-in-law, Don Geary, is painted on the side of plane, since he was a crew member on the bomber.
Chuck said the Gearys lived in Centralia, IL, and would always travel through Paducah and visit as they drove from Illinois to Florida for the winter. Don passed away about ten years ago, but Chuck's sister, Penny, heard the plane would be here this week, and made sure Chuck and Marj knew about it.
Marj said Don spoke frequently about his experiences during WWII, and was very proud to have served. Chuck also served his country.
"I was in the Navy. I was in Korea from 1948-53. Our ship pulled into Bombay, India the day I got word that she gave birth to our first daughter," Heyduck said.
Marj recalls that communication was very restricted at the time, so the Red Cross sent him a cryptic telegram that read, "your package has arrived safely."
Chuck said he hopes younger generations get a thrill from seeing these historic aircraft. Service to their country continues in the family, as the Heyduck's grandson is in the Marines in San Diego, and has been to Iraq twice. He was a drill sergeant, but now teaches swimming to recruits that don't know how.
A P-51 Mustang two-seat fighter plane is also in town, and drew a lot of attention as it took off and landed through the afternoon, giving paying customers 30 minutes in the cockpit, and a chance to briefly take the stick.
All three planes will be flying Thursday and Friday, and anyone can purchase a ride on a piece of history, which offsets the expense of keeping these planes flying into their eighth decade.
It was a beautiful day to fly, and an exciting trip, but it was an honor to talk to some members of the greatest generation, and hear their stories.
Here is video from the media flight Wednesday:
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