Ultimate Sacrifice Memorial Guest Log
I have seen pictures of my brother, Earl Hutchinson, who said he was a flight navigator on the B17 "My Gal Sal". I have a few pictures of the plane and him. Earl passed away ten years ago. Could someone verify this data and send me anything that that you may have concerning my brother. Thanks, Dwight D. Hutchinson, 105 5th Street, Beckley, WV 25801 304-890-0690
After visiting this site I was very impressed with the way things are going with the B17E. I was a flight engineer on the B17G flying out of Framlingham England. We were shot down over Magdeburg Germany on the 28th of May 1944. A POW for 11 months. I live only 1 mile from the Blue Ash Hanger and I intend to visit often. Seven of my Buddies lost their lives on this mission. Two have since died and I am the last of the crew flying the Decauter Deb. Thank you for keeping this B17E alive
Just saw the B17E in the Blue Ash hangar. It looks great. I know the Memorial will be a success. Thanks for letting me see it. Ed Stoy, Former Flight Engineer B17G Decauter Deb
2 years Army Air Corps, 3 years Army Air Force WWII Tail Gunner, B-17 Flying Fortress 15th AF,5th Wing 2nd Bomb Group 96th Squadron Amendola Airbase, Foggia, Italy 1944-1945 . 31 missions over Germany, Austria and Northern Italy
Jack, you may not remember coming to our studio with Shorty Codman and other 447th guys in summer of 2000. My wife, Cheryl and I have been recording YOUR Era in monumental bronze at the USAF Academy for about 15 years. We are currently working on the CBI Hump memorial (C46) which may be the last chance for individual names on the plaque at USAFA. We would love to help your cause any way possible. Robert www.warbirdcentral.com
I'm a first time visitor to this site My Dad, Stanley informed me of this site and all of the hard work that's going into restoring "My Gal Sal". You are doing a great job!
My Dad worked with Jack Keller as an electrician many years after Jack fought for our country in WWII.
I just want to say thanks to Jack and all of the other brave men for fighting f.or our freedom. You are all truly amazing... and hero's to all of America. Also, thanks to Mr. Ready for keeping the memory of the Greatest Generation in our hearts through your hard work and dedication!
God Bless America!!
I have worked on "My Gal Sal" many days and LOVED every minute of it, am glad to see Marilyn and Pete Minnix sign the GUEST BOOK. Hope they enjoyed my many Stories and Pictures that I had sent them. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL, and please say a little prayer for our TROOPS fighting for OUR FREEDOM. LOVE you all
Hello my name is Pete, age 49, former Marine. I am somewhat of a WW2 buff, I enjoy e-mailing and talking to Veterans who served in WWII whether on land, air, or sea. I usually like to find out what you did, what rank you had, length of service, and what battles you fought in. I then try to find this information that I can download from the internet or I offer to pay for a few picture that you can get copied. I also try to get at least one picture of you and ask if you would sign it for me. I also will send you a SASE if that will help you out. I E-mail veterans from all nations that fought in WW2. This is strictly a hobby; I do not sell or publish to make a profit on anyone’s name. This is my way of having my own library on WW2 veterans and my tribute to those men, because we lose so many WW2 veterans every day and all this history goes with them. To me, that is the only way to try to learn and understand an era that occurred long before I was even born. I feel very fortunate that men like you are still living today to relate these stories to me. If this is ok with you please e-mail me back. I would appreciate it. You guys are the men that I look up to as heroes.
Here’s something about me: I was born in San Francisco in 1953. I have lived in California all of my life. I graduated from High School in 1972 and I joined the Marine Corps, stayed in for 5 years and became a sergeant. I was in the infantry O331 (M 60 machine gunner) or better known as a super grunt. After I got out, I went into the Army National Guard and was in the medical battalion for three years. After the service I went into the medical field in 1980. My first nine years were working the streets of East Los Angeles, better known as The Gun and Knife Club. I spent two years working in the trauma center in the emergency room. In 1989 my family and I moved out to the desert (Indio, near Palm Springs). From there I went to work for Eisenhower Medical Center also in the emergency room for the last 11 years. I spent five years as a volunteer fire fighter for the county of Riverside. Where I became a State Firefighter 1. My wife also works at Eisenhower for a private doctor. My wife and I have been married almost 23 years. I have a 17-year old daughter who is in her last year of High School and a 14- year old son who is in his first year of High School. As of April of this year after nearly 22 years of medical work, I quit and went back to school full time to earn a second degree but I am not sure what that degree will be. A few of my hobbies, other than e-mailing and writing WW 2 veterans, are I build model ships all from WW 2 period and nations. At last count I had at least 70 finished with at least 10 that I have not yet started. I have my own small library of military books mostly references. Now you know a little bit about me.
Mr. Ready, I think what you are doing to restore this airplane is really good and the fliers of WWII should have a memorial like yours. I read a book called hunting warbirds. It told about your search for the Sooner with Gary Larkins. I really enjoyed it. I really like what you are doing and keep up the good work!!
From the pictures I see, great job. Too bad it can't be put back in the air and flown to airshows so more could see the great aircraft that help to win a war. The B-17 is what a 4 engine aircraft is supposed to look like. Could I come to Blue Ash and see it?
Bob Ready: I really appreciate the great photo's that you sent me of "SAL" during her restoration. I've looked at them several times along with some of my WW-II collector friends. It must be a great feeling of accomplishment for you and your co-workers. I'll be in Louisville this coming weekend for the national military SHOW OF SHOWS. My wife and I plan on visiting your location. Best Regards, Bob Bashaw
May we always remember those that sacrificed so much, so you and I could enjoy the freedoms we now have and with God's blessing, will continue forever.
Hi Bob; Visited you guys in 2000 I think with our gang; Bob John Patrick, etc. Bud Golem keeps me up to date. I am extremely impressed with the worldwide messages you are logging on your sight---first time I had seen it. Best wishes
I was an aircraft armorer on Martin B-26's during WWII. I was in the 584th Bomb. Sq.-394th Bomb Group.- 9th Air Force. Served in England, France and Germany from 2-44 until 10-45!
USAF 69-74, 9 SRW, 36 TFW
Just visited the site to check on your progress. What a fantastic B-17 model! I can't begin to imagine all the work and time that went into it. It will make a truly awesome addition to your final display. Know that there are many people who are with you in spirit as you labor to complete this important work.
I was a B-24 pilot, in China. Most recently wrote and published Mamories of the Jing Bao and Beyond, about my combat and the airline we started after the war, flying UN relief into Russian occupied countries. Also just published Memories of the Mind, a novel depicting the life of one of the many who did not return to tell their own stories. Both are available for order at virtually all bookstores and bookstore web sites. Please feel free to initiate e-mail communication and lets exchange tales.
My compliments. The job you are doing is amazing.... This part of American history is what made us a great country and its preservation is appreciated by all !!
William Doty
I was in my early teens during WWII. I knew the number of men on the B-17s and when I read in the newspaper of the number of planes lost I would feel awful. It was terrible to lose all those good young men many of which were only five years older than I.
AWESOME SITE AND STORY! GREAT JOB! I HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN WWII SINCE I WAS A CHILD. MY UNCLE WAS IN THE 101 AIRBORNE INVOLVED IN MARKET GARDEN THROUGH THE END OF THE WAR. THERE IS A PRETTY GOOD CRASH SITE OF A B-24 AND A B -17 ON THE SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS IN FLAGSTAFF. SINCE VISITING THOSE SITES I HAVE A REAL APPRECIATION FOR THE PAINSTAKING LABOR IN RECOVERING AND RESTORING MY GAL SAL!
Interested in more about "Heckendorn" on board - got any information?
Thank you
I can't add any more, you have said it all, and thank you for giving me the honor to see such a great site.
felicitations pour votre initiative et surtout votre courage ainsi que de votre tenacite a restaurer "votre B17 " et lui rendre son ame.
bonne continuations a votre equipe pascal
Hope you will forgive me my ignorance, but can any of you fellows tell me how to look up information on the 342nd Bomber Squadron. That is all the "technical" info I know. Here is the story: Sometime in 1943 a B-24 or B-25 came flying at tree-top level over the hills of our rural Floyd, VA, home. The crew had received permission to break formation and fly low over one of the crewmen's old hunting & fishing grounds. His name was John D. Slusher. He dropped a note out the window that landed just a few yards from his mother's house. That crew was enroute overseas. Somewhere near Ploestri, Rumania, later that year, this plane collided with another bomber and all were lost. Can anyone tell me how to possibly find history on this squadron, and possibly locate some info on John?
I enjoyed your web site very much. What more can I say but awesome and thank you very much
Fantastic effort!! I can't wait to see the final product!! This is the way to do a restoration right!! Good to see history and memories preserved for my little ones!
I have been a WWII enthusiast for years growing up. In my adult years while studying to be an attorney, I worked for a retired WWII pilot who flew with the 8th Air Force, flying B-17's. In addition to being a lawyer, I paint historical military figures. In that connection, I am entering into a subject that I will need more information and details to complete this undertaking. I am doing a 120mm scale Verlinden kit which depicts a waist gunner positioned on the starboard side (?). From my brief research I can't be sure which direction the photo of the kit was taken; either the photo was taken from the front of the ship or from the rear. In effect, I am not sure whether the crewman is really standing on the port or starboard side. To accurately create this undertaking I want some comments from those informed to advise me which side of the ship the crewman is standing. There is a hint that he is on the port side given the location of the ammo can mounted on the Browning 50 cal. machine gun. I have an idea that may be helpful. My scanning of the box art should give an informed individual the key to the answer.
Given that foregoing information, I want details on the exterior skin of the ship, and further, what details would one see if the ordinary joe "airman" would be on a mission. Would he have a thermos bottle, a Brownie camera or other items that he might be taking along on his flight. There is already provision for a parachute. To end this, I would really like to communicate with an informed person familiar with such a similar scenario.
Thanking you in advance for your help whoever you are.
Norb Lustine
Every plane that is found like yours should be kept and if possible brought back to original condition. Thank you for doing that to this aircraft. Rob
I have visited many crash sites but never seen one in this kind of a good condition.I wish you and your team the best of luck in bringing the lost bird and it's memories back from the past. The heroes of WWII will never be forgotten again.
Great site, my safety officer gave me a heads up to your work and it looks great.
My father had a friend that was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 that flew in the European Theater. His name was Eddie Willet and I remember his son showing me his jacket with the name of his plane painted on the back. It said, as I remember, "Satisfaction Guaranteed" with the picture of a woman between the two words. I was too young to appreciate it at the time. Unfortunately Mr. Willet has passed on. I hope to do some research in the future to see if I can find out more about Mr. Willet's participation in the war.
Hope to stop by the Blue Ash airport sometime and check out the project.