Patchcollector Posted March 23, 2018 Share #1 Posted March 23, 2018 Hi all,I saw this on my local News today and thought it was neat.Keith Cole,a member of the 492nd Bombardment Group,the famous Carpetbaggers,visited MacDill AFB and spoke about his experiences at U.S. Special Operations Command and was given a tour of the flight line during his visit.The Carpetbaggers worked with the Office of Special Services(OSS) to drop supplies to French guerrilla fighters.He showed the French Legion of Honor, the highest decoration obtainable in France,that was given to him in recognition of his participation in the Top Secret missions that the 497th flew,dropping supplies and Agents behind enemy lines. Here is a link to the story in case anyone is interested: http://warbirdsnews.com/warbird-articles/interviews/pioneer-tactical-airlift-visits-macdill-afb.html High Flight Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silver wings; Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there I've chased the shouting wind along and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, where never lark, or even eagle flew; and while, with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. John Gillespie Magee, Jr. June 9, 1922 – December 11, 1941 " And each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword. Ready to do what a hero can." - Elizabeth Barrett Browning Don't let the B@stards wear you down -"Vinegar" Joe Stillwell Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world.Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves.All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people. George Bernard Shaw " Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining" , Fletcher,from the movie "The outlaw Josey Wales" Link to post Share on other sites
Thor996 Posted March 24, 2018 Share #2 Posted March 24, 2018 cool link! Link to post Share on other sites
Ronald Posted March 25, 2018 Share #3 Posted March 25, 2018 Here is the info on another Carpetbagger pilot,crew and flight log (Messenger 40) that drop the agents in France for The Proust Mission. I also posted in on my research thread about Mike Burke (one of the OSS agents dropped). Link to post Share on other sites
Ronald Posted March 25, 2018 Share #4 Posted March 25, 2018 Flight log Link to post Share on other sites
Ronald Posted March 25, 2018 Share #5 Posted March 25, 2018 flight log Link to post Share on other sites
Patchcollector Posted March 25, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted March 25, 2018 Thanks Thor for your thumbs up and for that info Ronald.The Carpetbaggers had a super dangerous job;delivering supplies and people into enemy held territory.IIRC,they flew alone,at night,with weapons removed to maximize loadout,while German night fighters combed the skies.If detected,they would be easy prey.I salute the brave men that manned the planes on these almost suicidal missions. High Flight Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silver wings; Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there I've chased the shouting wind along and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, where never lark, or even eagle flew; and while, with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. John Gillespie Magee, Jr. June 9, 1922 – December 11, 1941 " And each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword. Ready to do what a hero can." - Elizabeth Barrett Browning Don't let the B@stards wear you down -"Vinegar" Joe Stillwell Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world.Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves.All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people. George Bernard Shaw " Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining" , Fletcher,from the movie "The outlaw Josey Wales" Link to post Share on other sites
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