94th Bomb Group, 333rd Bomb Squadron B-17G "Going My Way"

[W Rusty Lane]

Howdy all,

I had the privilege of getting to know SSgt. Jim Witherington, from the 94th Bomb Group, 333rd Bomb Squadron, who was a top turret gunner and flight engineer for the B-17G "Going My Way".  I went to church with him and we became friends.  He's the one who introduced me to HO scale model trains.  Jim passed away in 1999, and left me all of his Army Air Corps records, a bail-out silk map, his M1 carbine mag pouch and his M1 carbine bayonet.  I also corresponded with all the members who were still alive from his crew and the co-pilot sent me one of his bail-out silk maps.  So now I have a C and D silk bail-out map.  He also gave me a couple of photos of his B-17 and crew members in front.  I'll try to post a few of the photos.  I wrote to one of his crew members who said they got the name "Going My Way" from a Bing Crosby song and they asked if they could name the aircraft after his hit song "Going My Way" and he replied that he would be honored.  I have that letter in my possession as well.  I thought someone might like to see these.  I can post even more if anyone is interested.  I just don't want his memory to be lost to time.  Cheers from an old Marine sergeant in eastern TN