97th Association, Web site, Reunion details

[link="http://www.armyairforces.com/dbgroups.asp?Group=118"]Click here for Unit History[/link].

Association Contacts:

Harry Alsaker (membership)
1308 Jackson
Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: 406-543-5388

Norval Seeley (newsletter)
House Springs, MO
Email: NRSEELEY@SWBELL.NET

Current Pres:
Louis Barwick, Sunrise, FL

Reunion News: Sept. 27th to Oct. 2nd 2005

Web sites:

http://www.armyfiretrucks.com/b-17.htm , a tribute page to George Wolf and his 342nd BS crew.

Related Books:

The 97th Bombardment Group History Book Venit Hora, Available for $65, including shipping in the USA, from: 97th Bomb Group History c/o Louis Barwick 2311 N.W. 63rd Terrace Sunrise, FL 33313.

Straight and Level, by Jack Botts. Mr. Botts was a radio operator in the 414th Squadron.

Ups and Downs in a Flying Fortress, by Bud Lembke. Mr. Lembke was a radio operator in the 342nd Sqdn.

I am interested in finding a membership list for the 97th Association.  My uncle
was in the 341st Bomb Sq., 97th Bomb Grp.  His name was Welcome Talbot and he was a top turret gunner.  His plane developed engine trouble and went down in the Bay of Biscay, Nov 21, 1942.  An eyewitness account is printed in the Venit Hora book, and the pilot who reported what he had seen
was Lt. T. K. Taylor.  I also saw a Thomas K. Taylor listed  as a contributor in the Venit Hora book and wondered if he was the same person and if  anyone had a contact address for him.  Thanks for any help.   Jan

Jan....I think a membership list is restricted to members only...If you wish to join.
As to the persons you are looking for, the correct person to ask would be the newsletter editor, as he should have a current list of members.
 
For the others who have not joined the 97th BG Association, about all you can do is use a search engine such as www.whitepages.com  or one of several others...usually they will want a fee for disclosing the information, even though it is Public Records.
 
It should not be necessary to pay for information when it is Public Records.
 
If you want to go the route of a search engine,let me know and I can give you several which may help. Also, someone else may chime in here and give you some help as well.
 
First though, I would start with the 97th BG Association and the 97th newsletter editor, you may save a lot of time.
 
Jim :-)

James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions 99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45 M/Sgt USAF (Retired)

Scott,
 
Do you have email adresses and/or phone numbers for these guys?
 
(My dad was in the 342nd BS)
 
The 97th Bombardment Group History Book Venit Hora, Available for $65, including shipping in the USA, from: 97th Bomb Group History c/o Louis Barwick 2311 N.W. 63rd Terrace Sunrise, FL 33313.

Straight and Level, by Jack Botts. Mr. Botts was a radio operator in the 414th Squadron.

Ups and Downs in a Flying Fortress, by Bud Lembke. Mr. Lembke was a radio operator in the 342nd Sqdn.

John

_________________________________________

Son of Herman E. "Ed" Croft,
T/Sgt. Flt. Engineer of Nick Kantar crew # 90
342nd Sqdn., 97th BG (H)
Amendola Airfield Foggia, Italy
9 Oct. ’44 - May 25, ‘45

TO ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN A COPY OF THE 97th HISTORY BOOK

The last 97th history book was sold to Rob Paris from East Anglia Books for the memorial Library of the Mighty 8th school in England.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED:

1. Send your name/contact info 
   
2. and how many copies

to jcrossed7007@yahoo.com

I just sent an email to Taylor Publishing for prices at quantity benchmarks. I will post that when I get a reply. (Mr. Tom Gulley says the last printing was 300 books at $65 apiece but did not say how long ago the order was taken.)
 
I am going to ask Rob Paris, Secretay/Treasurer, if he will be willing to actually take Pre-payment for orders IF we get a good response.
 
Email, call or write everyone you think may be interested!!!
 
 

_____________________________

John

_________________________________________

Son of Herman E. "Ed" Croft,
T/Sgt. Flt. Engineer of Nick Kantar crew # 90
342nd Sqdn., 97th BG (H)
Amendola Airfield Foggia, Italy

John

_________________________________________

Son of Herman E. "Ed" Croft,
T/Sgt. Flt. Engineer of Nick Kantar crew # 90
342nd Sqdn., 97th BG (H)
Amendola Airfield Foggia, Italy
9 Oct. ’44 - May 25, ‘45

I think my book, "Straight and Level", can still be found through Amazon listings, or through the last publisher, iUniverse.  If not, let me know and I will scour my house for an old copy.

Hi Jack,
Bryan Minner here:   minnermedical@sbcglobal.net
 
Just wanted to say Hi, and see how you are doing. I have not been too involved sense Eddie Quagge past away. I miss him very much. He was a great resource to me and became a very good friend. As you recall, he was the ball gunner on the crew of my father, Elsworth Sherman Minner. Your book, and your timely contact with me was a tremendous thrill, as I was trying to gather information on my father's service in the AAF. You have a great talent in your memory and writing that I appreciated very much. Eddie, also had a great memory and ability to describe and express the experience and his relationship with my father. The stories he told me were priceless, and I should add; his candor remarkable to the end. Of all the crewmen I was able to contact, Eddie always had the clearest vision and most accurate understanding of what was happening during those times. His kindness I cannot forget.
Jack, you remain one of the most pivotal people that I have made contact with and I regard your book as, perhaps the best measure of life in the 1940’s ( Before, during, and after attachment to a bomb group in the Mediterranean.
Everyday I cook my eggs in olive oil, I think of you and all the other guys that had that experience. It’s funny how small thing like that can recall a thought or memory.
Anyway, I did not intend to go on so. I have thought of writing to you often, however my knowledge of your career in “our written language” has held me back. I have had the fear of embarrassment, my fault completely, as writing has never been my best talent.
I hope you are well and please accept my warm regards.
Sincerely,
Bryan Minner