Dear Mom:- Letters Home From the War in the Pacific
Navigator
20th Air Force
XXI Bomber Command
313 Bombardment Wing
505th Bombardment Group
483rd Bombardment Squadron
Distinguished
Flying Cross
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Asia-Pacific
Campaign Medal
American
Campaign Medal
World War II
Victory Medal
On December 3, 1942, my father, George O’Laughlin, enlisted in the US Army while a student at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana. In June 1943, he reported for duty at Camp Grant in Rockford Illinois, to begin his military service ‘for the duration of the war plus 6 months’, which would turn out to be just under 3 years when he was discharged in January 1946.
He was assigned to the Army Air Corps and earned his wings as a navigator of the B-29 Superfortress bomber. In March 1945 he deployed to Tinian and, with his crew, completed 24 bombing missions in the run-up to the end of the war in the Pacific theater.
Through letters home to his widowed mother during the war and in voice recordings made in 2010 when he spoke openly about his wartime experiences for the first time, he reflects on the distant yet still raw memories of his wartime service.
This website is authored by Kevin O’Laughlin (kevolaughlin@gmail.com) and Brian Ronan (BRonan3995@fpsed.org).
©2010-2019 Kevin O’Laughlin. All rights reserved.
Audio recordings of George O’Laughlin are ℗2010-2019 Kevin O’Laughlin.
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
NYT Pearl Harbor
New York Times
Notre Dame
"I was just 17 and technically not old enough to enlist. Most were over 18 and I had friends and acquaintances who finished the semester and didn't return to school in the winter semester."
Singapore falls
Singapore falls
Enlisting in the Army
Reporting for Duty
Camp Grant
” I arrived here at Camp Grant about 1 or 1:30. I don’t know what is on the program for tonight but tomorrow I guess we have our physical exams and probably get some equipment.”
Camp Grant - Classification
"...Yesterday morning we took three tests - one on mechanical things, the second a signal corps test and the third and most important an IQ test...I almost had a pass yesterday but missed by the skin of my teeth..."
...well, another 'strenuous' day is well on its way to being over. This morning I took the Air Corps mental test. It took the entire morning and this afternoon when I went back to the Aviation Board I found out that i had passed. I was back here in the barracks at about 2 and from then until now (4:30pm) I've just laid around and slept...
...I need you to send my birth certificate and those three letters as fast as you can...unexpectedly I passed the Air Corps physical and I'll need them...I don't know how I got through eyesight...
On to Truax Field
On to Truax
"...I left Camp Grant at 6 o'c this morning and arrived here at Truax Field at about 9:30. It didn't look so hot as we drove thru this morning. The barracks were covered with tar paper and were not nice looking...This is an aviation reception center and we'll be here for two weeks..."
...we have been having an hour or two of drill the past couple of days. That isn't half bad. We drill out to one side of the airport and we get a chance to see some planes come in and take off...
...this morning I guarded the ordnance buildings from 8 to 12. If I keep on getting different assignments I might get close to the airplance hangars. I'm getting closer every day...
...most of the fellows in my barracks shipped out this morning and almost immediately a new group arrived from Camp Grant...I don't have anything to do this afternoon but hang around the barracks and see that everything is on the up and up...see if you can pick up a map of the U.S. so when I do get moving I'll know where we're going...
Postcard
"Well, we're patiently awaiting our next move..."
ID Badge
Miami bound!
Basic Training
"Tuesday AM...Well, I am now on my way to Miami Beach...we left Truax yesterday afternoon...we are now in Cincinatti...merrily we ride along...we just passed through Knoxville Tennessee...we just passed through Atlanta...we are now in Florida and it won't be long now. Since we are close to the coast there are few lights on...Thurs AM...We arrived in Miami at about 1am... "
Miami Beach
"...By this time I am a little more acquainted with Miami Beach but not a heck of a lot...we are in what is known as quarantine and are not allowed to leave the hotel...we will be here for a month or two...for the first 15 days we are known as miserable gophers... "
Miami Beach
Strolling downtown Miami
Beach Plaza Hotel
On the Beach
Douglas bomber on display
...yesterday we were taken out to the beach and had a chance to try out ocean water...it was very warm and just as salty...some are here for just 2 1/2 weeks but on the other hand some have been around 5 or 6 months, but usually its about a month and a half...after this we go on to college, the length of time varies with [the results] of a series of examinations given here...
...we finally got going today and they really kept us on the jump...at 7am we were taken out to a park a good ways away. There we were given a couple of lectures, one on meteorology and the other on algebra...as far as the lectures are concerned they were a waste of time...at 12pm we were on our way to the rifle range...we were carried there on big open semi-trailers...I had a chance to fire the Thompson sub- machine gun...there are lots of rumors...that we won't be here long...they are really speeding things up...
...we went out to a field about half a mile away...It's a park that has been taken over and it is there that we have lectures in everything under the sun...we're going to be restricted tonight...I hear that there is going to be a shipment of upperclassmen and in order that everything will go off without a hitch everyone stays in...
...we moved yesterday from the Hotel Charles to the Beach Plaza...we were very fortunate to get a corner room...we've been kept on the jump pretty much this week...this morning we went out into the field and listened to two lectures, one on public speaking and the other on company funds...I had to go on guard duty last nite from 12 til 2 so I didn't get much sleep...
...we were taken off of quarantine last nite which was entirely ok by us...last nite 3 of us went down to the Servicemen's Pier and explored that. It's a pier built out into the ocean for a short ways. On it are all kinds of recreation halls including a dance floor...
...this card seems fairly appropriate...we were out on the gas range and familiarized with the use of the gas mask...we all get a real dose of tear gas...that stuff really smarts...
...the whole training group I'm in - that is the 422nd - plus a couple of others...have vacated the downtown hotels and have gone to the outskirts of town...we're in a two story apartment building...we are in a civilian area...there is a cottage right below us and the woman next door just got through asking us to make less noise so that we wouldn't wake up the baby...I wonder what she's going to say at 5am tomorrow morning...
The Sticks
...we got paid this afternoon...but we're so far out in the sticks that it's hard telling what a fellow can do...
Awaiting Shipment
"...We are awaiting further news in regard to shipment...very few have shipped from the Beach of late and that indicates that there will be a big shipment soon...i've found out that a lot of the fellows who have had advanced courses in physics and math are shoved into navigator's training. I wouldn't mind that so bad. I imagine you could learn something there..."
NYT August 23, 1943
New York Times
...we were made upperclassmen yesterday and what is more important got our Class B passes so we immediately took off for Miami...I'm beginning to believe that there is more doing over here (the Beach) though...we are awaiting news on shipping out...
...today was just another day - drill, lectures in the morning and in the afternoon more lectures, physical training and retreat...some of the fellows - just 5 or 6 - left today. One bunch went to the U of Alabama and another went somewhere in North Carolina...I hope I will get a good deal further north than that...
...there's a rumor with pretty good foundation that we will be made regular cadets at pre-flight. That means more pay, higher rank, and insurance paid for us. By higher rank I mean that we will be real aviation cadets. Down here we are really QAC or Qualified Air Cadets...
Keeling over
"...Today we had something new and different, that being a review staged for a new colonel coming to take charge of part of the outfit...this morning we spent a couple of hours drilling for the event and this afternoon...the review was performed... and it was as sultry as ever. Part of the review consists of standing at attention long stretches of time and, as is usually the case, a couple of guys keeled over... "
...I got lucky today - a lot of fellows in my squadron were pulled out unexpectedly early this morning for K.P but not me...my luck still holds fast...we've finished our regular course, at least we were told we had, yesterday and tomorrow we start over and have to listen to the very same dull lectures all over again. Let's hope it won't last long...
...did I tell you that I'm in my 3rd day of training now? You see we started over on Monday and are repeating the same darn thing out in the field...needless to say it's darn tiresome...more and more fellows are shipping out...the best part of the squadron by far is still here but the rate of departures is increasing...the fellows that have left are now spread out all over the country: California, Texas, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Georgia, Wisconsin - these pre-flight schools are throughout the U.S...
...last night this squadron broke ranks in front of the mess hall and were seen doing it...tonight we found out that we're restricted to our hotel during all of our free time through till Monday morning...naturally that announcement pleased everyone...yesterday a cadet lieutenant got 'washed out' - the first one - in general they are no better than the rest of us...things seem pretty disorganized...
Sept 7 to be uploaded
Sep 9, 1943 to be uploaded
...we finally were placed on shipping (Fri night) and since then we've been getting ready to move...when we'll move on or where we don't know, that is the main topic of conversation now...Friday afternoon we had an inspection and retreat for one of the leading officers down here and it was really something...most of the time was spent standing at attention facing a terrific sun...a lot of the fellows went under but I didn't...
...during the study period us newcomers catch up on these letters while the older fellows supposedly study...
Next stop: University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa
"...Once again I'm on the move. By the time you get this I'll be in Tuscaloosa...we didn't have much luck as far as getting out of the south is concerned..."
On to Pre-Flight School
Pre-flight school
Airfield Tuscaloosa
Dormitory life in Tuscaloosa
Studying hard
On parade.
Practicing formations
Practicing formation
Pre-flight school
"...I suppose you're wanting to know how Alabama is...so far it looks pretty darn good...we live in a fraternity house and the rooms are similar to the ones we had at school. One of the first things we found out was that it's a dry town - not even a drop of beer. We'll be here 4 or 5 months so its going to be quite awhile... "
Sept 21 to be uploaded
Sept 23, 1943
Sep 27 to be uploaded
Sep 29 to be uploaded
Oct 1 to be uploaded
Oct 3 to be uploaded
Oct 9 to be uploaded
Oct 11 to be uploaded
October 15 to be uploaded
Oct 18 to be uploaded
Oct 21 to be uploaded
Oct 29 to be uploaded
Nov 1 to be updated
Nov 8 to be uploaded
Nov 10 to be uploaded
Nov 15 to be uploaded
Nov 17 to be uploaded
Dec 10 to be uploaded
Tuscaloosa, 1943
Dec 11 to be uploaded
Dec 13 to be uploaded
December 15 to be uploaded
Dec 21 to be uploaded
Dec 21 to be uploaded
Dec 23 to be uploaded
Recruitment Posters
Propoganda Posters
Pilot training!
...I got up [in the airplane with the instructor] about 10am and naturally got quite a bang out of it. He explained a few simple maneuvers and then let me try them. They weren't too good but I guess that's to be expected...I'm beginning to believe this month won't be the cinch I thought it would be...
Flight Training Manual
[3d-flip-book mode=”thumbnail-lightbox” urlparam=”fb3d-page” id=”4428″ title=”false” lightbox=”dark”]
Pilot Rating Book
Eyes Not Suited For A Pilot
...today has been another dismal day and we didn't get a chance to get any more time in...I got something in my eye and had to get that fixed up over at the dispensary...when the corporal showed me it [was only] a speck...
Lying around
...everything is much the same as always...I've got about 3 1/2 hours of flying time now...four of us are under each instructor and the first one to go up has an opportunity to go up again if there is time when the last one finishes. I was first yesterday and will be last tomorrow...
Basketball
...not much is new...just got back from a couple basketball games...the Aircrew won again but they're going to have to step it up some to beat A.S.T.P. next weekend..."
Progress Check
...it surely is going to be a rude shock, the change we're going to get when we hit San Antonio....a fellow here said that...when you aren't being classified that you pull all kinds of detail work. The chow, he added, was better than that here, so there shouldn't be any kicks on that score...I've got five hours now and had a progress check...didn't know it was going to be a progress check until it was over with. Maybe that was for all the best because sometimes you don't do as good a job when you try too hard...
Preparing for San Antonio
...got another hour in yesterday so I've got but one left now...no order has come thru as yet concerning what the flyers who have finished should do with their normal flying instruction period. Naturally none of them are in any particular hurry to find out...I imagine the boys with the bars on their shoulders are laying awake nights trying to find ways to keep us busy...
San Antonio Navigation School
...just a few lines to let you know what's going on...we moved back [to barracks in San Antonio] on Friday morning...in the afternoon we heard the CO outline what's in store for us. Whether it will be as tough as he says i don't know...
Starting classes
...classes started yesterday and I don't think they'll be so bad. Math is a very simple but code might be tough. They gave us a pair of headphones and they try to teach us some Morse code. The other two classes should be very interesting - maps&charts and aircraft identification. Eventually we're supposed to know over 40 planes flashed on a screen for 1/10th of a second and believe you me that's awfully fast...
Letter from G. C. Brant, Commanding Officer, Army Air Forces Central Training Command
Getting ready for inspection
...we were confined to the area last night and for the second night in a row had a G.I. party. I believe we scrubbed everything in sight in preparation for this morning's inspection. But no inspection was made. We weren't disappointed, but still, after getting ready for one you expect to have it made...
Pressure chamber
...well, the pressure chamber test was quite an exprience...we were put in a large pressure tank and enough air was taken out to bring us to an equivalent of 28,000 feet. This was done in several steps to see how everyone reacted. At 18,000 feet all of us but one put on an oxygen mask and up we went to 28,000 feet. The one fellow gradually passed out, just as peacefully as could be, but we revived him in a couple of minutes when oxygen was supplied...
Voice from the past
...yesterday while taking P.T I was told by the sergeant that someone was looking for me back at the rear of the formation...turned out to be the fellow who sat next to me in Brownson and who was in Cav with me too....he's about 4 months ahead of me in Advanced Navigation school....
Return to the pressure chamber
...two days ago we moved: this time back to the same block where I was before I moved last time...Wednesday we had no classes because we were scheduled for a revisit to the pressure chamber. This time we went to an altitude of 38,000 feet and once again were treated to a few exhibitions while there. High altitude can have a lot of queer effects on you...
More moves afoot
...we had open post yesterday and while in town I took in the Alamo as well as a very famous park down here...we hear the Air Corps is transferring all of its units from Miami Beach to San Antonio...which will probably mean another move for us...
Tests and more tests
...we hear that each Sunday the flight that looks the best during the week will get open post. Our's is not worrying very much about it tho because our chances are pretty slim...last night we had an airplane identification test and right now i'm sweating it out...
Speculation
...while in town I met all kinds of guys who shipped down here 2 months before I did from Alabama. They will be moving out of preflight in a few days. As for us, we hav 4 scheduled weeks left but rumors insist we'll be leaving before then...either to gunnery school or advanced navigation...
Ottowans all around
...I met another Ottowan tonight - Dick Gerayeaux...he says that one of the Barron's is here too. I see Hadley about every day...
Tests, guns and rumors abound
...we had our aircraft identification test Saturday...it wasn't nearly as hard as it could so I got through it. This Thursday we are going to go to the range and fire the 45 caliber pistol and submachine gun as well. We have just 3 weeks of preflight left now and we're wondering where we'll go next...one fellow in our barracks who washeld over from the last class at some other pre-flight school is leaving this afternoon for Ellington Field at Houston for Advanced Navigation School...
Not a marksman
...today was a rather special day in that the afternoon's regular schedule was canceled and we went to the range...we fire the 45 pistol and the tommy gun...all I can say is that I'll never make a good marksman...
Two weeks left of preflight
...this preflight school is just the beginning...advanced navigation is the main part and that is next...It will last 18 weeks or thereabouts if you go all the way through...i don't know that the washout rates will be...it is there that we learn actual navigation and the course includes 20-25 flights...
Apr 19 to upload
Treading water
...one more week to go...we've moved six times since i've gotten down here...the next time we move should be out of here...
Graduation!
...well we 'graduated' today from pre-flight but I wasn't aware of the fact till tonight. I guess we'll carry on just the same as ever until further notice...i've been getting so much sleep that it's a hard job getting any at night, a far cry from the first 6 or 7 weeks...
Postcard from the edge
...everything is just the same as ever around here...
Hanging around waiting for orders
...we won't leave here until some time after the 20th of the month...until that time and starting tomorrow we will have some sort of 'refresher' schedule...
May 8 to upload
May 11 to upload
May 29 upload
Ellington Field
...[Ellington Field]...we started classes today after drawing all sorts of equipment yesterday...we live upstairs in the barracks and our classroom is downstairs...so all we do is walk down here about 7:15am and that is where we stay till 10:30 at wich time we have an hour of P.T. We eat in the period from 11:30 to 12:30 and then resume classes until about 5:30 in the afternoon...eventually we'll have night classes on top of that...
Invasion of Normandy
No time to take it easy
...we've had two days of classes and you don't get much chance to take it easy...
Instrumentation
...so far we've had quite a bit of training on some of the instruments we hope to use. A schedule is posted in advance so we know what is coming and who will lecture...you can tell we are close to the Gulf because it is terribly humid...we signed supplementary pay roll tonight so we'll be paid what is due us from last month pretty quick now...
Short and sweet
...we went out to the line and actually worked with the instruments in the plane...
Reveille at 4:30am...
...we had reveille at 4:30am this morning in preparation for today's inspection, parade and graduation. Class 44-8 graduated today. There are 3 more classes ahead of us...thanks for the undershirts......
Battle of Saipan
Instrumentation
...they really thow this ground school at you - lots of stuff about instruments and correcting them as well as about actual procedure. But it is pretty darn interesting...
First phase exams
...we had 3 nites of classes this past week and due to the poor showing we made in our first phase exam, I imagine we'll have at least that many and perhaps more this coming week or weeks...the news looks good now- we were especially interested in the B-29 raid on Japan...
All work and no play
...we have had night classes every night this week until tonight, but that doesn't mean most of us won't be at our desks...last week we got two watches...they are both Longine watches and in their day were probably worth quite a little...
First flight mission
...yesterday was quite a day. We got up at 4 in order to make our first flight mission. We flew over to a town in Louisiana called Covington, north of New Orleans a little way. We were in the air over 5 hours...we were suppose to follow the plane along by looking for checkpoints on the ground, in other words, pilotage...
Training flight to Arkansas
...yesterday we flew up to a little town in Arkansas and back again, doing pilotage again one way and reading instruments the other...this flight was a little more difficult than the last one because there weren't so many large towns, lakes or rivers...we did a pretty decent job...
More navigating
...today is the Fourth - we were scheduled to have classes till 10 tonight but some kind soul took pity on us and we were dismissed at 4. The reason for all of the night classes came out today. The schedule has been shortened two full weeks - that means just that much work done in a shorter period of time. That also means that we should be out of here sometime shortly after the 1st of October...this morning we spent quite a while working with radio equipment on a plane and we are starting to study celestial bodies too...two more ways of navigating...in addition to pilotage and DR (dead reckoning)...
Fourth mission
...yesterday we had our fourth mission and in many ways it was the best one so far...at least as far as excitement was concerned. I was almost halfway home at 5 o'clock in the afternoon but just about that time we turned around and retraced our steps. I did D.R. on the way up and pilotage on the way back - when we ran into a couple of storms...
Jul 17 to upload
Invasion of Guam
Battle of Tinian
In the hospital
...i went to the hospital to have the doc look at a finger of mine that was acting up. Well, he plunked me in the hospital for a day or so. I got out Tuesday morning missing out on Monday's scheduled flight...as it turned out, two of the other three of our foursome came up with bad colds and decided they didn't want to go up either...
Washing out
...staying here for a little while over the weekend...somehow we got passes...we had 2 flights last week - one up thru North Texas the other east thru Louisiana & Mississippi...these were practice search missions and are a good deal more complicated than the flights flown previously...they have started to think the ranks out a bit - last week 2 fellows in our flight got the axx and 3 more just yesterday. We have finished 9 weeks now...
Long days, short nights
...I am barracks guard today and, incidentally, the 1st barracks guard. Up till today we have had none, but yesterday a little incident occurred where someone walked in and helped themselves to about 4 or 5 hundred bucks belonging to the fellows upstairs. It was the day after pay-day and since we are a trusting bunch most of us had our wallets laying in our pants. I am downstairs and escaped thank goodness...
Hurricane
...this has been a rather unusual week in that we haven't had many night classes and that we are here by ourselves almost. Perhaps you heard of a couple of hurricanes out in the Gulf...well one of them was heading in this direction and our planes here were evacuated, at least all of them they could fly away...they took with them mechanics, navigation instructors and all but 3 flights in our class...where they went I don't know...
Upperclassmen
...well, the hurricane missed us and the planes are now back...class 44-11 graduated yesterday so 44-12[my class] is now the upper class if that means anything...the news is very good these days and it shouldn't be so terribly long now...
Sioux City
...Surprise! Landed here at 2am this morning...
Return from Sioux City
...our flight left Sioux City about 12:30 or 1....the return trip was divided into 2 parts - from SC to a town in Arkansas and then on home...were were pretty tired when we landed...
Flights 13 and 14
...we were scheduled to fly #14 tonight but after we packed everything and walked down to dispatch the bigwigs decided that the weather was pretty poor and it was called off...we flew #13 Monday nite up to Memphis Tennessee. It was a swell trip...night flights seem to be better than those during the day for some reason...
Sept 25 to upload
Advanced Navigation School Graduation
Heading home
Oct 18 to upload
Oct 26 upload
Oct 31 upload
Nov 1 to upload
Nov 5 to upload
Nov 20 upload
Nov 24 to upload
Nov 26 to upload
Nov 27 upload
Dec 4 to upload
Dec 24 to upload
Dec 27 to upload
dec 30
Happy New Year
[iframe src=”https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m34!1m12!1m3!1d7362470.787788469!2d-101.95217491796075!3d37.04652518574105!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m19!3e2!4m5!1s0x8809546c13366651%3A0xa32e2f27dbf5fe79!2sOttawa%2C+IL!3m2!1d41.3455892!2d-88.8425769!4m5!1s0x87c0f75eafe99997%3A0x558525e66aaa51a2!2sKansas+City%2C+MO!3m2!1d39.099726499999996!2d-94.5785667!4m5!1s0x86e050632273d451%3A0x7907058f980b60bd!2sAlamogordo%2C+NM!3m2!1d32.8995325!2d-105.96026499999999!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1550935154256″ width=”600″ height=”450″ frameborder=”0″ style=”border:0″ allowfullscreen]
Alamogordo, New Mexico
"...well, we are now in the process of getting settled here in New Mexico...the nearest town of any size is El Paso and that is probably about 75 miles away...this i gather is an R.T.U. rather than a D.T.U. for B-29 crews. R means replacement which means we will replace crews in combat now rather than in a new outfit going overseas as a unit...the group I am with is particularly confused because we are assigned to crews that already have a navigator. Something new is in the works!...it will be a lot of work from here out...also, i'd like to know if ours is a joint account, that came up today in processing..."
The Announcement
...after laying around all last week we began today at 3:30am only to learn that we wouldn't be able to fly...and then one of the crew members showed me these 29s...it really has many innovations and I'm anxious to fly in it...then next thing that happened was a memorandum stating that henceforth we would be known as a radar officer...there is another radar navigator on the plane...he will be up front most of the time and my job...is to work on the set that is located about 2/3 of the way back...we are not satisfied at all but maybe everything will work out ok...
Evasive Action
"...It's almost bedtime - in fact that is where I am now. Tomorrow morning will be an early one, meaning we will be up about 3:30am...yesterday was the first time I got a workout, we were up in the plane from 5 in the afternoon til after midnight. The mission called for us to fly to an airport in Kansas. There we were to be picked up by searchlights and get a little practice on evasive action. That plane really went through its paces...but we had a hard time shaking [the guys on the ground operating the lights]... "
Work
"...our crew had all of yesterday off which doesn't happen very often...[my section] now has 98 hours to its credit and we were topping the list as of Sunday. The A/C (airplane commander) is George Eisenhart. Our co-pilot is Nick Gisotti. The bombardier is Alex Topping, the other navigator John Mann. Our tech engineer is from Brooklyn name is Briggs. The unlisted men are mostly from New York. Other fellows are Myers, Remmons, Wyatt, Mould and Cervini. They are a darned good bunch and I think that all in all we have as good a bunch as any and probably a lot better than most... "
"Birthdays are just the same as any other day. Your box got here in plenty of time and it was pretty good...there are a few more planes than crews but only a portion of them are in commission at any one time. Repairs and inspections have to be made regularly...Sunday evening and nite we made the milk run out to Palm Springs...we can cruise at 250 true air speed and when you get a good tail wind your ground speed can be in the vicinity of 300...the war news is pretty good these days... "
"I just got back from our morning flight. We were up at 3:15 this morning and got back here at 4:00pm this afternoon so that will give you an idea of one of our working days. This morning we flew one of the revised models of the B-29. There are quite a few changes at my position and now it is a half way decent position to work..."
Crew
Tom Kemmons
Bill Wyatt
Hal Myers
Ruidoso, New Mexico
"...last week we got in quite a bit of time now have in excess of 140 hours...but we still have a few missions left to be completed...last week we got in a little gunning with live ammunition as well as some camera gunning...we are still waiting for the films to be developed to see how well we succeeded in keeping those fighters framed in the sight...did you get those bonds and money order i sent?... "
"...I have come to the unhappy conclusion that the porter that keeps the barracks clean has just tossed out all my stationery...on top of that some kind soul swiped my wool lined flight jacket a few days agao out the the club cloakroom...it just isn't my week...one of these days I hope to see it clear to get down to Juarez...lots of scarce stuff can be found there..."
The Battle for Iwo Jima Begins
Storming of Iwo Jima
[iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/8rfsRNeiing” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen]
Long mission
"...Well we finally got our 'long mission' flown...it took us across New Mexico and Arizona to Los Angeles, then up to San Francisco and Medford, Oregon, back to Los Angeles and then back here. We spotted such places as the Rose Bowl, Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mt. Shasta...now that the long one has been taken care of we are well on our way to winding up training here. Our graduation is scheduled for March 11 and then we will be in some staging area in Kansas or Nebraska... "'
"...they are starting to get all the papers in order once again for our leaving ...rumor has it that we will be sent to Topeka, Herington in Kansas or Kearney in Nebraska around the 10th...yesterday the crews living in the adjoining rooms in the barracks...flew their cross country missions...to Chicago and if they were on course would have passed just over you..."
Mexico
"...well we won't be here very much longer now for we leave for Kearney Nebraska on the 10th. Tomorrow morning we will complete our flying...last Sunday I headed down to El Paso and got over into Mexico...it was a miserable day with all the dust blowing at over 75mph...have you got any papers from here concerning insurance, etc?... "
"...we will leave tomorrow night on a troop train [for Kearney]...it will probably be sometime on Monday when we arrive...don't know how long we will be at Kearney as yet...we (the crew) hope to receive a ship too, it is suppose to be a fly-away base which is considered better than traveling by train and boat..."
Operation Meetinghouse
LeMay takes charge
George discusses LeMay’s change in strategic direction.
Keeping Busy
"...[on Wednesday] we had no classes because we were scheduled for a revisit to the pressure chamber. That only took about 3 hours so they tossed in a standby inspection just to keep our minds occupied...this time we went to an altitude of 31,000 ft and some of the guys had a few pains here and there at that altitude...but I got nothing more than a little prickly heat...high altitude can have a lot of queer effects on you..."
"...I just sent my suitcase and a B-4 bag home and since I have the only key to the case I'll enclose it in this letter. Try to unpack the stuff and put it away in a good place...there is watch and it would be best to keep it running and someone may be able to use it...we have been assigned a plane and this morning had it up for a 4 hour check flight. It can really get up and go and we are pretty much all set now..."
"...at the last minute we needed some extra work to be done [on the plane, at Kearney]...and by the time that had been fixed some weather rolled in and we stuck around for awhile more. We left there Wed morning and had a good trip out here [Oakland, CA]...this liquid sunshine of California has got me down a bit..."
Enroute to Tinian
Tinian Island
"Easter Sunday...Somewhere in the Marianas...well, i've done a little traveling since writing you last...a look at the map will show you that. The trip was uneventful and everything went off like clockwork...all of us were pleasantly surprised by what we found here, everything is much better than we had ever hoped it would be...the barracks are very crowded but new ones are being put up so that should be remedied shortly...the enlisted men aren't quite so fortunate for they share tents..."
Officers in Crew
First Mission
"...first mission was to Tokyo with an initial point of Choshi Point...we made the turn and almost immediately we were in the searchlights...our commander took evasive action, but that didn't last long because...we got hit..."
Telegram from War Department
Return to Tinian
"...we hung around Iwo for a couple of hours then word came back that I was to be sent back to Tinian...a couple of days after returning the pilot came to see me [in the hospital] and apologized [about overruling me]...'Mann admitted he made a mistake'...that was very important to me...very important...I was in the hospital for three weeks before being discharged and returned [to active status]..."
Ottawa Times (Illinois)
New Plane : Forever Ember
24 Missions
"...in three or four weeks we were flying missions...we flew 24 missions so we flew pretty hot and heavy there...another flight I might mention caused me anguish...it was a case where I didn't have a good radar set...and we had to abort our original mission...we dropped what we could and then went to Iwo and then back home...the plane was flown by another crew the next day...and it was rammed, and never returned...and you always wonder, was it the same problem for them [with the radar]..."
Victory in Europe
New Order
"...This afternoon was the third one in succession that we were up flying in formation. This deal is a part of the 'new order' which went into effect about a week ago...a few fellows are trickling out [going home] daily..."
Wrapping It Up
"...We don't have very much to do these days...nothing definite has come down to us concerning rotation back the the states...since the [bombings ended] a change has come over the group. Before we lived pretty much as we pleased. The weeds grew in the yard, the beds were never made and it was rare when the floor was clean. but now the powers have decided those conditions aren't to last any longer, so we've had to reform somewhat. Naturally that is very distasteful and there has been a lot of complaining...but that is the army way and just one good reason why I would just as soon get out as soon as possible..."
Going Home
"...they came up with a point system for determining who got to go [leave Tinian] first...you got points for length of time in service, rank, number of medals...my bombardier was longer in service but I left before him [because of the medals]...I flew to Hawaii then Mather Field [Sacramento]...and then an awful train ride through Utah enroute to Chicago. From there I went south to Chanute Field in Rantoule Illinois where I was formally separated ...war over."
[3d-flip-book mode=”thumbnail-lightbox” urlparam=”fb3d-page” id=”3949″ title=”false” lightbox=”dark”]
click image
Mission Accomplished
Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery
Obituary
George Wilson O’Laughlin of Cumberland, Rhode Island died peacefully at his home September 9, 2014 with his wife Ellen and their children by his side. He was 90 years old. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father, a doting grandfather, and a rabid Notre Dame sports fan.
He was born in Seneca Illinois, the son of the late James and Mary (Coughlin) O’Laughlin, graduated from Ottawa High School in 1941 and attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
At the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, trained as a B-29 navigator and saw active duty on Tinian. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
At the conclusion of the war he returned to Notre Dame, earning a BS in Metallurgical Engineering in 1949.
During his long career in the steel industry George held executive positions with Republic Steel, Jones and Laughlin Steel and McLouth Steel before retiring from Rhode Island Forging Steel in 1982.
George married Ellen Schratz on May 30, 1953 in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in May.
In addition to his wife, George is survived by six children: Dr. David O’Laughlin and his wife Becky; Kathy O’Laughlin and her husband Rev. William Sasso; Rita O’Laughlin and her husband Dr. Richard Finegold; Kevin O’Laughlin; Daniel O’Laughlin; and Susan Ronan and her husband Edward. He was the cherished grandfather of Laura, Christopher, Kelly, Elena and Brian.
He was the brother of the late Joseph and Robert O’Laughlin and Mary Helen Hollahan, and the admired uncle of twenty-five nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was an active member of St. John Vianney Parish in Cumberland and the Knights of Columbus.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial Friday, September 12, 2014 at 9am in Saint John Vianney Church, 3609 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland.
Burial will be in RI Veteran’s Cemetery, Exeter.
