NEW VIDEOS

Burt Vardeman

---

Drafted out of high school in 1943, Burt Vardeman went to basic with the Army Air Corps. He scored high on radio aptitude and trained as a radio operator on a B-24 crew. Flying out of Italy, he had a close call when one engine after another failed on the return flight. The order came from the pilot, prepare to bail out! (6:20)

---

On his first mission, B-24 radio operator Burt Vardeman saw a plane explode after a direct hit from a flak shell. No parachutes. It was a real quick lesson in how deadly this game was. (4:42)

---

After several missions, the crew began to settle down and get used to the routine. On mission days it was a series of preparations and briefings, and then into the B-24's. Radio operator Burt Vardeman recalls the progression right through to the end with the shot of whiskey. (7:09)

---

The B-24 air base was near Foggia in Italy but the base for their fighter escorts was much closer to the front. Radio operator Burt Vardeman describes how they would rendezvous and proceed to the target. It was late in the war and the threat from German fighters was diminishing. (3:42)

---

The pilots hated it and so did all the crews. If a mission was scrubbed, they were supposed to land with their bomb load intact. The policy was sometimes different but Burt Vardeman went through a nerve wracking experience when his plane came in with a full load and the nose wheel gave way. (6:53)

---

B-24 radio operator Burt Vardeman fondly remembers the Italian locals who lived in the village near his air base. They were kind and helpful and, after the war, his squadron returned the favor. (2:39)

---

Burt Vardeman was a B-24 crewman who had a great deal of respect for the soldiers and sailors he felt had a rougher time than he did. He expected to go to the Pacific after VE Day but he got some good news while recuperating in Miami. (4:44)

Jack Wall

---

As the ship approached San Francisco, Jack Wall was up on deck straining to catch the first sight of land. Everyone was thinking of liberty on shore. As they walked through the gate onto Market Street, all of a sudden there were horns and whistles and a loud noise of celebration. What happened? (5:59)

---

Jack Wall's final rank would have been one tick higher except for the one time he was late returning from liberty. He's just lucky he never got in trouble for the wild parties in the dental ward aboard ship. They had a monthly allotment of alcohol which never went to waste and once they decided to make some applejack. (7:05)

---

His ship was in dry dock in New Zealand when Jack Wall missed the last boat that would get him back in time from his liberty. Would he be able to sneak on board? Several guys were already busted that night. (1:46)