I am trying to find a copy of a book or a way to contact the author:  In and Above the Olive Groves: The Personal Remembrances of a World War II B-17 Pilot by James M. McGarry, Albany, NY: Privately Printed, 1995. James McGarry flew 29 missions with the 301st Bomb Group.
This book is referenced on the 301st BG website (http://www.301bg.com/).  My uncle (2nd Lt Alex Eisenstein) was a member of McGarry's original crew, but was lost on a mission with another crew.  I have been doing research  on my uncle and that particular time and would be extremely interested in getting a look at this book. 

Niece of 2nd Lt. Alex Eisenstein, B17 G Navigator;
15th AF, 301st BG, 419th Sq; MIA 24 Aug 1944

If nobody answers here you might inquire about the book in the "All Hands" section or ask the people at the 301st web site, their historian, Lowell Thompson, should be in touch soon. I can't find the book but I'm sure if you are persistent searching it will eventually show up.
 
Mike

Trudy,

  I just sent you an E-mail    I don't remember where I heard about James M. McGarry's book when I included it on my list on the 301st web site.  More than likely there was reference to it in one of the issues of the 301st BG newsletter, The Raven, at one time.  I looked through the 1995/1996 issues I have, and didn't see it, however.

  One of your uncle's crew members, Carl G. Hodges, may still be living.  I sent you his address and phone as of the entry in the 2004 Membership Directory.   

  Often veterans self publish a limited number of such books for their family members and close friends, and they can prove very difficult to find.

  Lowell Thompson

I received a lead today from Steve Birdsall from the 301st BG site -- he gave me info to reach Greg McGarry, Jim McGarry's son.  I looked him up on the internet, and I just got off the phone with him.  I am sitting here in stunned disbelief --- when he heard who I was he got so excited -- it turns out that his Dad dedicated the book to my Uncle (Alex Eisenstein).  His Dad finished the book, literally in the hospital on his death bed (1995).  He dictated the last chapter, and   Greg said his Dad gave him the thumbs up as he left his hospital room, and by the next day he had lost consciousness and never regained it.  Greg said how he and his own son had just recently talked about trying to find our family.  He told me how sentimental his Dad was about the crew, and that every New Years eve he would call his co-pilot (Chuck Whiting, who is also deceased now).  He is sending me a couple of copies of the book.  Apparently Jim McGarry became a columnist and wrote a series of columns about his war experiences, and at the urging of his sons, turned it into a book.  It was published shortly after his death.  Thanks to everyone on this site --  the sharing of information can mean so much,
 You guys are great!!
My heartfelt thanks

Trudy,
I'm just now working on your case. I've had an email from my friend Lisa Phillips some days ago.
I suppose you had in contact with her.
I'm an Italian researcher and have a small database in wich I collected some data about planes crashed or ditched in Adriatic Sea in North East Italy area.
Unfortunately I couldn't find something new about that plane but I provide what have found.
 
B-17G-50-DL  "SMILING ELSIE" S/n 44-006364 del.: Hunter 7/14/1944 ass. Lucera 8/13/1944 301st BG 419 Bs
lost on 8/24/1944 mission #330 - Pardubice, Czechoslovakia Air Drome
 
MIA on that mission:
2nd LT Alex Eisenstein  O2058368   Navigator
SSG     Frank J White   33573243    Radio Op.
 
This is only a hypothesis to be verified and useful only as an assumption for a new trak to be treated:
As we know that your uncle was assigned to another crew for that mission, it is possible that this crew could be this:
 
Meyer, Lewis A                                                           P
Hayes, John D                                                            CP
Gaudarn, George J                                                       N
Gambino, Samuel P                                                      B
Porter, Harold N                                                          Eng
White Frank J                                                             R
Weinberg, Seymour L                                                   G
Vensel, Kenneth G                                                       G
Seaman, George L                                                       G
Sollell, Frank N                                                            G

As Frank White is the other missing, maybe your uncle was on the same ship as substitute of Gaudarn.
I wasn't able to find something else about the plane as couldn't find the MACR and even any reference on USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers online database.
I'still searching elsewhere and if succeed in finding something new I'll make you an Lisa Known.
Freddy
PS Excuse my English.
 
 

 
 

Hi Freddy