The Forever Crew
The crew of a B-17 bomber. Together in War. Together forever24 total reviews
Comment from Contests
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2024
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 A contest winning entry! A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for posting the winning contest entry. |
Comment Written 08-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2024
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Thank you.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
AMEN!! We should never forget what these people went through to ensure our freedoms. Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us and good luck with the contest.
Leaving the next day, they flew (the following day)
At approximately 1318hrs, (1318 hrs.)
Small pieces of debris from his plane. pierced his parachute. (omit the period after 'plane')
hey transported the three to Frankfort, arriving the next morning around 8 am. (the following morning)
Would he come home to marry his fiancé? (fiancé is a man -fiancée is a female)
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2024
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AMEN!! We should never forget what these people went through to ensure our freedoms. Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us and good luck with the contest.
Leaving the next day, they flew (the following day)
At approximately 1318hrs, (1318 hrs.)
Small pieces of debris from his plane. pierced his parachute. (omit the period after 'plane')
hey transported the three to Frankfort, arriving the next morning around 8 am. (the following morning)
Would he come home to marry his fiancé? (fiancé is a man -fiancée is a female)
Comment Written 05-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2024
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Barbara, thank you for reading this story. Every time someone reads it I feel those men are being remembered. That means the world to me.
If you know anyone that might be interested in the story. Could you pass it onto them.
I cannot thank you enough for the suggested corrections. I have made them all.
Richard
Comment from gramalot8
Simply heartfelt, heartbreaking and full of heart pain for all those you wrote about who went through all that for our freedom. As they say... Freedom Is Not Free!
My family has always had military members. My grandfather was in WWI, my dad WWII, my two husbands in Vietnam War and my son in Desert Storm In Iraq.
God Bless America.
Thank you for sharing this story with us.
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2024
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Simply heartfelt, heartbreaking and full of heart pain for all those you wrote about who went through all that for our freedom. As they say... Freedom Is Not Free!
My family has always had military members. My grandfather was in WWI, my dad WWII, my two husbands in Vietnam War and my son in Desert Storm In Iraq.
God Bless America.
Thank you for sharing this story with us.
Comment Written 04-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2024
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Thank you for the kind words. They mean the world to me. I do ask if you know anyone that might be interested in this story. Please see they get it. I feel that every time someone reads it. Those men are remembered.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Great work. Nicely done.
Wow. Staff sergeant in nine months. In the USMC that (E-6) takes several years.
...he had one side of his parachute fastened. - fastened to what?
...and found himself freely fall from the plane. -- (falling?)
Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024
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Great work. Nicely done.
Wow. Staff sergeant in nine months. In the USMC that (E-6) takes several years.
...he had one side of his parachute fastened. - fastened to what?
...and found himself freely fall from the plane. -- (falling?)
Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 02-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2024
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Thank you for the kind words and the two areas that need to be corrected. I appreciate both.
All aircrews were sargent's or above. The reason had to do with the Geneva Conventions treatment received by prisoners of war. NCO's received better treatment. The army air force must have anticipated
high losses.
Thank you again for reading their story. That alone makes me happy.
Comment from karenina
Excellent writing here! It is imperative that we remember the countless sacrifices of our WW II vets...
Your detailed account is riveting and while reading I wondered how many stories such as this my deceased father, a WWII vet, took to his grave with him when he died at age 60.
We asked! He simply could not or would not share...although he stayed in contact throughout his life with his fellow vets and with the families of the many fallen.
Thank you for your dogged determination to seek closure by locating the likely remains. I pray all of your research leads the government to act!
As soon all the members of our greatest generation will pass on, this account will keep their courage and bravery alive.
Well done!
Karenina
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2024
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Excellent writing here! It is imperative that we remember the countless sacrifices of our WW II vets...
Your detailed account is riveting and while reading I wondered how many stories such as this my deceased father, a WWII vet, took to his grave with him when he died at age 60.
We asked! He simply could not or would not share...although he stayed in contact throughout his life with his fellow vets and with the families of the many fallen.
Thank you for your dogged determination to seek closure by locating the likely remains. I pray all of your research leads the government to act!
As soon all the members of our greatest generation will pass on, this account will keep their courage and bravery alive.
Well done!
Karenina
Comment Written 02-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much for the review and the rating. Both mean a lot to me. I spent a lot of time researching their story. Every second was worth it. I was able to learn more about those guys than I ever imagined at the start. In fact, the families were amazed. I just have a habit of never quitting.
I have made it my mission to see their story is told. For the four men, identified. I am trying hard to get as many people as possible to read this story. I guess it is my way of trying to see their sacrifice is not forgotten.
If you are interested in seeing pictures of the crew. Please check out my website.
www.rfrohm.com
That way you can see what each man looked like. I feel that makes the story even more real.
Thank you again for the rating and review. Both are greatly appreciated.
Richard
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Great website by the way! I see you've had some success publishing and that you write here and on some other platforms that also have more than a handful of authors here. I'll recommend your story to others here on FS... It's a great thing you've done, Richard!
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Thank you so much on website. I did it all myself. So it means a lot to get a comment like yours. I appreciate your sharing the guys story.
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Wowie zowie! I apologize profusely for not having saved a six for this oh-so deserved post!
Ordinarily, I don't enjoy reading these kinds of stories. They're so heart-wrenching and horrifying that I just don't have the wherewithal for them. But this one captivated me from the get-go and did NOT let up until I'd read the very last word.
It was intense and fascinating, no-nonsense, but not dry, and filled me with awe for these men who gave their utmost every day of their lives for us back home. They definitely do NOT make them like this anymore!
Thank you for this riveting tale. You are a great storyteller, indeed.
xoxox
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2024
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Wowie zowie! I apologize profusely for not having saved a six for this oh-so deserved post!
Ordinarily, I don't enjoy reading these kinds of stories. They're so heart-wrenching and horrifying that I just don't have the wherewithal for them. But this one captivated me from the get-go and did NOT let up until I'd read the very last word.
It was intense and fascinating, no-nonsense, but not dry, and filled me with awe for these men who gave their utmost every day of their lives for us back home. They definitely do NOT make them like this anymore!
Thank you for this riveting tale. You are a great storyteller, indeed.
xoxox
Comment Written 01-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2024
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Rachelle,
I do not know where to start. Thank you for the kind words and helping me go higher on the list. Never has anyone done that for one of my stories. I cannot thank you enough. I have been off Fan Story for a while. I just recently started writing again. Between working on the crew, I wrote a book. Getting that done has lifted a tremendous weight off of my shoulders. Working on the crew's story has been a labor of love. I am a retired detective lieutenant from a large suburban Detroit police department. That experience helped me in my research, along with the fact I have a habit of never quitting. My buddies on the PD use to call me "Pit Bull" because I did not stop working a case until either I had an arrest or there was nothing more I could do.
One of the joys of this story are the families. I was fortunate enough to find all eight of the families. Each has been interesting to deal with. I have received letters they had saved and photographs. Some photos from the guys' school days and non-military times.
Now I pray the Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency will disinter all four remains for identification. I believe the documents I sent support my reasoning for the disinterments. The hard part is the waiting. It can take six months or longer for any approval. They are one of the few government agencies that taxpayers get what they pay for. The work they do does not get the publicity they deserve. Everyone there I have dealt with could not have been any nicer or more helpful. You should check out their website.
Speaking of websites. I have one for my book, but it also has some various stories I have written, including the Forever Crew. You may want to look at it. There you can see a lot of photographs of the guys. It is: www.rfrohm.com
Thank you again for helping me and the very kind words about the story.
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This is very interesting, too. I will definitely check out the site. Thank you for the info!
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
This is such an epic account and the time and research you've put into getting to the truth of Jack's story are impressive beyond words. You pour, not only your invaluable information into this post, but also your heart and soul. As such you couldn't have done more to honour these men and their sacrifices. Well done and good luck! Debbie
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2024
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This is such an epic account and the time and research you've put into getting to the truth of Jack's story are impressive beyond words. You pour, not only your invaluable information into this post, but also your heart and soul. As such you couldn't have done more to honour these men and their sacrifices. Well done and good luck! Debbie
Comment Written 01-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2024
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I cannot thank you enough for the review and the rating. This story and those men mean the world to me. Any chance I can get to tell their story, I am on it. I do not want them to be forgotten. The families of the six men that did not survive suffered. Especially the family of the four that were not identified. The letters I have read are heartbreaking. The information I sent to the Department MIA/POW Accounting Agency, I believe, is more than enough to disinter all four sets of remains for identification. Plus, providing them with the contact information for the surviving family members. Now all I can do is wait and pray. It can take six months for them to decide. They are a tremendous agency that unfortunately has more work than they can handle. They are no doubt under-funded.
This story has been a labor of love. I have reached the last hurdle. Now all I can do is sit back and pray the DPAA will disinter four sets of remains and identify all four. That would be one of the greatest joys of my life.
Thank you again for the review and the rating!!
Comment from LateBloomer
Hi Richard, the research that you put into this story must have taken months/years to do. You must be commended for your dedication and diligence. You are correct; we must never forget, but how do we instill the importance and significance of WWII, and the sacrifices that were made by our veterans around the world for the freedoms that are enjoyed today, when our youth cannot see past their Lattes and video games?! Also, lack of pride in our Nation is rampant. Should we ever have another "Pearl Harbor," we will not see the generation of today joining the military as they did during WWII.
There is so much in your story that I can relate to. I grew up in NYC, and I know that Cardinal Hayes High School was one of the finest high school in NYC. Jack Flynn must have been highly intelligent to be accepted into Cardinal Hayes, and it was probably one of the reasons why he was selected to train in all areas of the B-17 bomber operation. Your story also had good imagery. I could envision the basketball game at St. Mary's.
Just sharing ... My dad was a paratrooper in WWII, but after having a "difference of opinion" with his C/O he lost rank and was transferred into infantry where he left his blood on the fields of Germany. His body was almost completely severed in half, and he spent over two years in the Walter Reed Hospital. He never spoke about what he experienced or what it; he met my mother after his release from the hospital. What I know about my father's military life, I know from my mother. When my brothers got older, they asked him some questions about the war, and he basically answered their question and nothing more--like so many of the men who returned from the war.
I'm sure that the family of Jack Flynn and the families of the crewmen are very grateful for your research and for your efforts to return the remains of the the four crewmen who were killed on November 30, 1944. The end of the war was so near, if only ...
Well done. Exceptional research. Margaret ~ LateBloomer
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2024
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Hi Richard, the research that you put into this story must have taken months/years to do. You must be commended for your dedication and diligence. You are correct; we must never forget, but how do we instill the importance and significance of WWII, and the sacrifices that were made by our veterans around the world for the freedoms that are enjoyed today, when our youth cannot see past their Lattes and video games?! Also, lack of pride in our Nation is rampant. Should we ever have another "Pearl Harbor," we will not see the generation of today joining the military as they did during WWII.
There is so much in your story that I can relate to. I grew up in NYC, and I know that Cardinal Hayes High School was one of the finest high school in NYC. Jack Flynn must have been highly intelligent to be accepted into Cardinal Hayes, and it was probably one of the reasons why he was selected to train in all areas of the B-17 bomber operation. Your story also had good imagery. I could envision the basketball game at St. Mary's.
Just sharing ... My dad was a paratrooper in WWII, but after having a "difference of opinion" with his C/O he lost rank and was transferred into infantry where he left his blood on the fields of Germany. His body was almost completely severed in half, and he spent over two years in the Walter Reed Hospital. He never spoke about what he experienced or what it; he met my mother after his release from the hospital. What I know about my father's military life, I know from my mother. When my brothers got older, they asked him some questions about the war, and he basically answered their question and nothing more--like so many of the men who returned from the war.
I'm sure that the family of Jack Flynn and the families of the crewmen are very grateful for your research and for your efforts to return the remains of the the four crewmen who were killed on November 30, 1944. The end of the war was so near, if only ...
Well done. Exceptional research. Margaret ~ LateBloomer
Comment Written 01-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2024
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Margaret, I cannot thank you enough for the review and the rating.
This story and those men mean the world to me. Any chance I can get to tell their story, I am on it. I do not want them to be forgotten. The families of the six men that did not survive suffered. Especially the family of the four that were not identified. The letters I have read are heartbreaking. The information I sent to the Department MIA/POW Accounting Agency, I believe, is more than enough to disinter all four sets of remains for identification. Plus, providing them with the contact information for the surviving family members. Now all I can do is wait and pray. It can take six months for them to decide. They are a tremendous agency that unfortunately has more work than they can handle. They are no doubt under-funded.
This story has been a labor of love. I have reached the last hurdle. Now all I can do is sit back and pray the DPAA will disinter four sets of remains and identify all four. That would be one of the greatest joys of my life.
Your fathers story is amazing. The fact he not only survived, but returned home. Than raise a family while keeping his war experience mostly to himself is that generation.
I enjoyed reading about Cardinal Hayes High School. I total agree on the intelligence of Jack. The Flynn's all are very intelligent and that has carried onto the nieces and nephews. All have been successful and good people. I joked with my wife when I first met her that I was not smart enough to be in her family. Thank God they let me!!
Thank you again for the review and the rating!!
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Hi Richard, you have spent a great deal of time and effort researching the life experiences of Jack Flynn. You were careful to point out the details, places, events, casualties. You even let us understand how deeply this affected him, but how he didn't let on to his family until they approached him about it.
I know you wrote this, not really to win a contest, but to tell a story you heart felt you needed to share. You have provided an important service to Jack and the others. Still, I wish you luck in the contest.
Take care,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2024
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Hi Richard, you have spent a great deal of time and effort researching the life experiences of Jack Flynn. You were careful to point out the details, places, events, casualties. You even let us understand how deeply this affected him, but how he didn't let on to his family until they approached him about it.
I know you wrote this, not really to win a contest, but to tell a story you heart felt you needed to share. You have provided an important service to Jack and the others. Still, I wish you luck in the contest.
Take care,
Rhonda
Comment Written 01-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2024
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Rhonda, I cannot thank you enough for the review and the rating. This story and those men mean the world to me. Any chance I can get to tell their story, I am on it. I do not want them to be forgotten. The families of the six men that did not survive suffered. Especially the family of the four that were not identified. The letters I have read are heartbreaking. The information I sent to the Department MIA/POW Accounting Agency, I believe, is more than enough to disinter all four sets of remains for identification. Plus, providing them with the contact information for the surviving family members. Now all I can do is wait and pray. It can take six months for them to decide. They are a tremendous agency that unfortunately has more work than they can handle. They are no doubt under-funded.
This story has been a labor of love. I have reached the last hurdle. Now all I can do is sit back and pray the DPAA will disinter four sets of remains and identify all four. That would be one of the greatest joys of my life.
Thank you again for the review and the rating!!
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Wow, Richard, I'm so impressed by all your hard work and dedication to this project. Please keep us updated on its progress, and me personally. If you remember, PM me to let me know. You have me invested in it as well.
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I will keep you posted. It may be a while.
This was truly a labor of love.
Comment from tfawcus
A first rate account of the wartime service of Staff/Sergeant Jack Flynn. I commend the thoroughness of your research and the clinical precision of your words, which does much to enhance the emotional impact. My father served in the RFC in WW1 and in the RAF in WW2 but never spoke to me about his experiences. He died in 1972, and his story with him. I only have his medals and fond memories of his sense of humour.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2024
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A first rate account of the wartime service of Staff/Sergeant Jack Flynn. I commend the thoroughness of your research and the clinical precision of your words, which does much to enhance the emotional impact. My father served in the RFC in WW1 and in the RAF in WW2 but never spoke to me about his experiences. He died in 1972, and his story with him. I only have his medals and fond memories of his sense of humour.
Comment Written 31-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2024
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I cannot thank you enough for the review and the rating. This story and those men mean the world to me. Any chance I can get to tell their story I am on it. I do not want them to be forgotten. The families of the six men that did not survive, suffered. Especially the family of the four that were not identified. I have worked hard and given as much information as I could to get the Department MIA/POW Accounting Agency to disinter all four sets of remains for identification. Plus providing them with the contact information for the surviving family members. Now all I can do is wait and pray. It can take six months for them to decide. They are a tremendous agency that unfortunately have more work than they can handle. They are no doubt underfunded.
Wow?. What a history of service your father has. I wish I could sum up in one word what the RAF did during the Battle of Britain. I cannot. They accomplished a feat that no one outside of the RAF thought was possible. They brought the mighty German Luftwaffe to their knees. There would be no invasion of England due to their efforts.
My goal is to have as many people as possible read their story. I would be honored if you knew others interested in stories from World War ll and passed it on. Their memory will live on.
The families of some of the crew want me to write a book. I finished one fiction book. Between that one and my research on this one. I am not sure how my wife would take it.
If you would like to see the pictures that go with the story. Please check out my website.
www.rfrohm.com
Thank you again for the review and the rating!!