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1st Lt Charles H. Aiken, 612th BS - My Father
Posted:
By: Jeff Aiken
On: 03/26/2003
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I have been going through my father's footlockers and all the letters and materials from the time. Is there a 401st museum or repository? He was quite a prolific writer and there is much detail in his letters that could be added to the archives of the 401st. I have some stories of his to pass along too. It was from his stories and experience that inspired me to join the USAF. I served ten-years and was honorably discharged in '98. Now I know why he said I should join as it will change you. It was the best experience of my life, and I wish I were still in.
Jeff Aiken
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Re: 1st Lt Charles H. Aiken, 612th BS - My Father
Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 03/26/2003
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Most of the history is with George Menzel or Art Seader. They do have a place in Savana Georgia. What I think is that you might put this in order and include pictures and make a book. This information would be very welcomed for valuable information to the Web Page.
Don Byers
Lubbock Texas
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Re: 1st Lt Charles H. Aiken, 612th BS - My Father
Posted:
By: Jeff Aiken
On: 03/26/2003
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Don, 401st BG at large,
I just received your email and am including it here.
I have three footlockers full of things you seek. I did not state it in my message, but will now. The letters are to and from my four uncles who were serving in the Navy at the time. There are things in here beyond my fathers time in the 401st. He has things from his time flying C-47s and C-54s in the Berlin Airlift. There are things in here from my grandfather who served in the Rainbow Divison in World War I. My father went on to fly for American Airlines 32-years, starting with the DC-3 and finishing with the 747. I traveled with him to Deenthorpe, all the places he bombed, and all over Europe retracing the War.
My first tour of duty with the USAF was at Lindsey Air Station, Wiesbaden, Germany (89-92) where I worked in former Panzer tank bays that were later used by Patton's Third Army tanks. I spent much of my off-duty time researching and retracing the places my father and the 401st bombed, and where my grandfather was. I was there in Germany to see the mass exodus and fall of the Wall, end of the USSR, and the Cold War. I have pictures and historical artifacts we could write books and screenplays with.
I have been working seven-years on a big project with a WWII history. Mark you calendars as May 29, 2004 is the dedication of the National WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. Hope to be there, and hope to see you and the 401st there. I am seeking WWII vets to sit on the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and Staff of the 501c3 nonprofit charitable organization I am starting. I am working on my website called MedicineTrian.org and am attempting to build a hospital train to carry WWII vets to DC and back. After that, I intend to utilize it for children and others with disabilities, seniors, and others with medical needs who cannot travel comfortably by any other means available. It also will serve rural areas that have rail access but do not have the tax-base to support basic medical services. I gather a few of you rode trains to airfields or ports, before you arrived in Deenthorpe. Pass the idea along. I'll help you regardless of whether you help me. I might come to Texas with these 3-footlockers.
Jeff,
I posted a note on your question. I am on the web committee and believe this info would be great for the database. Also with info like Pilot Flight Records, crew changes, and planes flown. If there is a crew picture or even individual pictures. I would be very interested in a copy of what you speak of. I have been with the 401st for 4 years now. It started with my Uncle who was KIA 24 Aug 1944 with the 613th. Then I just branched out and try to help people on the Forum get questions
answered. I would be glad to defray some of the cost to obtain copies. So much information has not made it to where people can use it and this is a great opportuity. A place like Kinkos you might check out the cost of printing on how many pages and pictures. If you have a scanner I would be Interested in pictures you may have.
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Re: 1st Lt Charles H. Aiken, 612th BS - My Father
Posted:
By: Jeffrey Charles Aiken
On: 03/26/2003
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Don,
My father flew on the same day as your uncle. I pulled out his flight log and it has two news clippings, one titled, "Allied Bombers Blast France in Heavy Raid" and the other, "Bombers Blast Nazi Evacuation Ships and Plants." My fathers logbook reads as like this:
MISSION: #6
DATE: August 24, 1944
TARGET: WEIMAR, GER.
Munitions factory engaged in the manufacturing of V-1 and V-2 jet and rocket weapons. Bombing done visually from 24,000' with good results.
FLAK: Light to moderate tracking flak enroute to, and over target area.
BOMB LOAD: 10 X 500 lb. GP.
FLIGHT TIME: 9:00
POSITION: #5 low sect. of low sqdn.
AIRCRAFT: "Queen of the Chase"
OBSERVATION: 401st. attacked by 25 ME 109's. 3 B-17's knocked down and 4 fighters destroyed.
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Re: 1st Lt Charles H. Aiken, 612th BS - My Father
Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 03/26/2003
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Yes I see. I have the mission report for that mission and the one sheet I have shows the formation of the Low Box formation at Take off, Assembly and On Cruise. Lead by Cpt. Locher with Deputy Leader Lt. Risher. Cain and Fish were at the tail of this flight and both were shot down.
Don
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