401st Bomb Group (H) Association
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Joseph La Grasta
6/14/2004 8:23:11 PM
This is my day to remember and I am sure other crew members also. Now that 60 years have past since my first mission to Le Bourget, France June 14th, 1944 I remember it as if it were yesterday. My Pilot was Jack Lippert & Co-Pilot was Tom Youmans together we compleated 35 missions with no injury to our crew. They were the greatest Pilot's, but they are in that big airport in the sky. God Bless them.  Joe La Grasta
Tail Gunner of Jill's Jalopy --613th BS.



Linda
6/14/2004 8:55:55 PM
It's so nice you are still here to reminisce, Joe.  God Bless You!
Joe Owens
7/8/2004 9:10:20 PM
Joe,

Couldn't resisting opening this posting when I saw the date. I was the ball turret gunner on "Dry Run", the only plane from our Group that failed to return from this mission.

This was our second mission. Our pilot was killed in action, but all of the rest of the crew evaded. Just had my 80th birthday. Best of luck to you.
Joe La Grasta
7/12/2004 7:17:23 PM
Hi Joe:

Joe La Grasta
7/12/2004 7:27:43 PM
Hi Joe:
I am sorry that I am late in a reply to your e-mail. I sort of gave up looking for an e-mail from that family. You started a couple of days before I did but we all completed 35 missions. Was it luck or faith with a little help from god. Jill's Jalopy was our plane and was shot down on Aug. 24 1944 but we were to fly on that mission but 10 min. after waking us up our crew was not to fly that mission. I am in touch with one top gunner of our plane when it was shot down by fighters.  Long story, still lookig for Henry.
           Thanks for your E-mail Joe
Greg Marino
7/18/2010 7:11:02 PM
Hey Joe...My name is Gregory Marino & years ago we spoke about the crash of YOUR airplane...Jill's Jalopy. My uncle,Leslie Hauss, was the co-pilot killed on 24 August 1944 when shot down. I've spoken with Warren several times over the years and have actually visited the crash site, with a metal detector,where Jill's Jalopy was to have crashed. I'd like to talk with you again and tell you, or anyone else for that matter, about my experiences overseas. The entire trip was dedicated to my uncle and to pay homeage to him and the crew. Please email me at nu4r@aol.com. Hope all is well. Greg