Woodard letter: WWII tribute
Memorial Day this year was an unexpected tribute to an old World War II bombardier who is suiting up for his last flight. As I watched the WWII bomber fly over our house Memorial weekend from the Nampa airport, I realized that they were flying directly over the home of Preston. He had flown 20 missions over Germany in a similar plane in 1945.
From his notes Jan. 3, 1945: 7 hour flight over Worms., Picked up 4 flack holes.
Jan. 14, 1945: 7 1/2 flight To Bruinswich...2 holes in plane.
Feb. 3, 1945: 7 hour flight Magnesburg. Lead plane shot down.
Feb. 26, 1945: 8 hour flight to Berlin.
March 18, 1945: Biggest raid yet to Berlin with 1,300 bombers
April 5, 1945: 8 hours 30 minutes to Bayreuth railroad yards. 2 holes in plane.
May 7, 1945: after 20 missions, Germany Surrendered.
Preston told me he is not worried about his next flight, because as a Christian he is going to a better place. We owe Preston and others from WWII our deepest gratitude.
Larry L. Woodard, Meridian
This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 11:10 PM with the headline "Woodard letter: WWII tribute."