World War II tail gunner shares journal of his 66 missions
In his cramped gunnery position behind the tail section of a B-26 Marauder bomber, Raymond Nolt fought Nazi Germany with his .50-caliber machine gun.
During the 13 months and 18 days he spent in the European Theater of War as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Raymond made 66 combat missions over France, Germany and Holland as a tailgunner on the medium-size World War II bomber.
In his apartment at Valley View Residential Center at John Knox Village, the 92-year-old veteran shared his wartime experiences. However, he was reluctant to take credit for any heroic acts or achievements that drew attention to himself.
Raymond said little about successfully completing 66 combat missions, knowing each mission could be his last, since the B-26 Marauder – nicknamed the “Widowmaker” – had a high rate of accidents during takeoffs and landings.
But that didn’t bother Raymond, who credits the “good Lord” for bringing him through the war unscathed....
Read entire article at The Examiner (MO)
During the 13 months and 18 days he spent in the European Theater of War as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Raymond made 66 combat missions over France, Germany and Holland as a tailgunner on the medium-size World War II bomber.
In his apartment at Valley View Residential Center at John Knox Village, the 92-year-old veteran shared his wartime experiences. However, he was reluctant to take credit for any heroic acts or achievements that drew attention to himself.
Raymond said little about successfully completing 66 combat missions, knowing each mission could be his last, since the B-26 Marauder – nicknamed the “Widowmaker” – had a high rate of accidents during takeoffs and landings.
But that didn’t bother Raymond, who credits the “good Lord” for bringing him through the war unscathed....