Exhibit I
Service Timeline
From enlistment to liberation — the journey of an American airman.
October 1942
Drafted into the Army Air Corps
Richard was working as a welder in a Tacoma, WA shipyard, making $1.50/hour, when he was drafted. Processed at Fort Lewis, WA before heading to Utah.
1942 – 1943
Radio & Gunnery Training
Four months at radio school in Sioux Falls, followed by six weeks of gunnery training in Kingman, AZ. Training on .30 and .50 caliber machine guns.
Read Training LettersNovember 1943
Flight to England
Assigned to the 445th Bomb Group, 702nd Squadron. Flew the southern route to England: Nebraska → Georgia → Miami → Puerto Rico → Brazil → Senegal → Morocco → England.
Read Full AccountDecember 24, 1943
First Combat Mission
Christmas Eve, 1943. Mission to Osnabrook, Germany. Heavy flak but no fighter opposition. Witnessed a flaming bomber going down in a flat spin.
Combat MissionsApril 12, 1944
Shot Down Over Belgium
On their mission, the B-24 was attacked by fighters coming in low from the rear. Richard bailed out and was captured, beginning his time as a prisoner of war.
Read the Full Story1944 – 1945
Prisoner at Stalag Luft IV
Interned at Stalag Luft IV in Gross Tychow, Poland. Endured harsh conditions, meager rations, and the infamous forced march in the final months of the war.
POW ExperienceFebruary – May 1945
The Forced March
As Allied forces advanced, prisoners were marched westward in brutal winter conditions. Richard kept a detailed log of the march.
View March LogMay 1945
Liberation
Finally liberated by Allied forces. After processing and recovery, Richard returned to the United States and civilian life.
Liberation & Homecoming
