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Gret
4/19/2010 12:25:52 PM | My father was 1st LT HL Oas, b-17 pilot, squadron 615, Wolf Pack.. On their 25th mission, over Merseburg, Nov 2nd, 1944, they were sot down, and the entire crew KIA, excpet my father who was captured as a POW. He escaped, was recaptured, and escaped again..and hidden by a German family....with a daughter named Gretchen. Many years later, when I was born, as the 1st and only daughter, my father would not allow for any other name but Gretchen. Of course there were also many beer hall maiden's with that name also 😃 Either way, I am proud to be some part of the history of those heroic men.
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donaldbyers
4/19/2010 6:55:39 PM | You have a lot to be proud of and a name makes a statement. You have a lot to be proud of your father and what he did. I checked your dad on our website and we don't have a crew photo. If you go to the contact us area and send to the Historian I will get it. Also might he have written down this escape attempts and the German Family.
Don Byers
Group Historian
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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win-win
4/20/2010 11:39:33 AM | Gretchen:
What a great story - your Dad's service and 'escapee' experiences.
Like Don, I hope you're lucky enough that your Dad had already documented it
Or if that's not the case, I hope you may be able to put what you have and know together into 'his story') to help honor and remember him (like so many other of us 2nd-generationers).
A couple other thoughts:
1. There is a 'Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society', (AFEES), an organization for escapees. One 612Sq. Vet/Escapee member is John Katsaros, who wrote his story in the book 'Code Burgundy'. I learned from him that it was only recently that the government had released escapees from their sworn secrecy (about their escape) - So your Dad wouldn't have been able to reveal his story, either, until recently. I'd be glad to put you in-touch with John.
2. Unrelated, the National WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. has a Web 'Registry of Remembrance' for listing all WWII Vets (but many names are not included). You can check it at: www.wwiimemorial.com > WWII Registry > Search the Registry. If he's not listed, you can add his name for free (and can add a photo for $10.00).
Hope to see your Dad's story.
Win Bryson
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