The Savage Republican

This past weekend, I went to the Red Wing MN airport (that's located in Wisconsin) for the second time. It's a WWII aviation weekend. If you've ever heard a radial engine, you'll know what I'm talking about.
I'm a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota (8thmn.org/ ). These are the guys who were the air and ground crew for the B-17's, B-24's, C-47's. We also have guys from the 15th Air Force (Libya then Italy) and a contingent of Pacific pilots and aircrew. We also have Korean War vets, Vietnam and Gulf War I vets. And camp followers like me. They are the neatest group of men. Self effacing, down home guy next door. Who just all happen to be my heroes...and my friends.

We set up a PX at the airport and I go to help. This weekend one of our members (Larry) went to take part in the ongoing seminar of the different aspects of WWII and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Larry is a B-24 pilot with 35 completed combat missions. I went to the PX, chatted with the guys, and then went to find Larry to see if he needed anything. He didn't, but asked me to sit down. On the way to the airport, I had called another friend of mine who has a unique project. Jon is a professional videographer. He has also founded a 501(c) 3 called C.A.P.S. (Combat Aircrew Preservation Society www.combataircrew.net/ ). It's his task to get as many of their stories on tape as possible. He had heard that there were two German Luftwaffe pilots who were going to be at the seminar. So I told him I'd scout them out and give them his card in case he couldn't make the airshow. I came across a Screaming Eagle, Jim McNiece (101st Airborne) and noticed he was also a member of the 506th PIR, same as the Band of Brothers of Stephen Ambrose fame. So we started talking. Jumped on D-Day, Market Garden and was a Pathfinder in Bastogne. Jon had called me and let me know that he was on his way. I told him about the Screaming Eagle. John said he'd interview him. Jon arrived and we walked around to again try to find the Luftwaffe pilots. Unfortunately they had left. Jon came across a Marine pilot named Jim Swett. He read his bio. He was a combat pilot in the Pacific. Flew a F4U Corsair. Was a double Ace. Became an Ace his first combat mission. Shot down 7 Japanese Val bombers in a single day. Picked up a few DFC's (6-that's right, 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses). Oh, and he's a Medal of Honor winner. What impressed me the most? He is just like all those guys I have lunch with almost every Wednesday: unassuming, self-effacing, incredibly humble. They all talk about what they did like a job. A very exciting job, none-the-less, but something that had to be done.
And the other thing that impressed me about the first and so far only Medal of Honor winner I've ever met? He said he always wondered why he got the Medal of Honor for just doing his job! Self effacing and humble to the end.
As we were setting up the interview, and before I knew his background, I asked him what branch of the service he was in. He said Marines. I said "A jarhead to the end?" He said yes and asked me if I were a Marine. I said no. He replied "Too bad. You would have made an excellent Marine." For a man like me, that was a compliment of the highest order. I was so humbled to be so honored by a man like this.
I am always aware that when I have lunch with these guys on Wednesdays, and when I talk to and shake hands with men like Mr. Swett and Mr. McNiece, that I walk and keep company with giants and heroes. And they never see themselves as such.Ever!
And I am so honored and so humbled that men like these allow me to keep company with them

Lunch with the 8th Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota is at legion Post 550 (NW corner of 94th and Lyndale in Bloomington, MN at 11:00. Lunch quality is always tenuous. Quality of the company is always excellent!) You're invited to come and have lunch in the company of giants and heroes.
Mr. Swett: www.acepilots.com/usmc_aces.html#Swett and www.tcpilots.org/bios/swett.html to cite a few.
Mr. McNiece: tinyurl.com/9gxs3

AND if you want a surprise, go to www.combataircrew.net/ and ask for the DVD or tape of Mr. Swett's interview to hear his thoughts about Greg "Pappy" Boyington and the Black Sheep Squadron on the mission they both flew.