Visiting with WWII Pilot Bushong

We arrived pretty early for our meeting with Col. Richard Bushong at the 390th Memorial Museum...

It just so happened that he was there already.  We were happy to meet him and he also seemed excited to meet us.  We talked to him about My Father's European Tour and he was able to answer some of our questions.  He proceeded to tell us that he was honored to give us a personal tour of the museum.  He explained everything to us and even told us where My Father was stationed during his time serving during WWII.   

Colonel Richard Bushong with Manuel and I in front of the B-17 he piloted as he served in WWII.

These were all the 390th Bombardment Squadrons in England.

Dad was with the Square J in Farmlingham, he said.

He explained to me that he was only 19 years old and a pilot at the time.  He said he made many missions where they lost many of their men.  He said he is blessed to have escaped death so many times.  At one point, he became ill and was hospitalized and when he returned to his barrack, all the mattresses were folded except his.  He was devastated to find that his whole crew had been killed on a mission.  He said he was so devastated he could not sleep in there.  He was immediately moved out of that room and placed with a new crew.  He said life just went on and you just did what you had to do....

He said pilots had to complete 25 missions while at war; he completed 28 then was sent home.  He was in England for eight months.  I asked him why My Father had been there for two years and one month.   He said that ground crews stayed until they did not need them anymore or until war was over.

Here we are in deep conversation:  Col. Bushong, Bill (Researcher) and myself.

This Gentleman is 90 years old and I am amazed at his memory.  I imagine the horrors he went through during World War II, he will never forget.  He told many detailed stories which were so amazing.  He says that  at the age of 19 years old, they were given so many responsibilities but they just did what they had to do and went on with what had to be done next. 

He says he now really thinks of all he went through and after having volunteered at the museum, he now realizes he is blessed to be alive.  He loves his volunteer work here at the museum.  We spent about 2 and a 1/2 hours together.  This was a wonderful experience for me.... Oh, before I left, I also bought the book he has written at the persistence of his son. 

The name of the book is "My Wars, B-17s to F-4s, WWII to Viet Nam".  He autographed the book for me. 

   

Richard B. Bushong, Colonel USAF, Retired....what a great time we had with him!

More to come of the Boneyard Tour....