A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:12 am
Friends, I have a very special and touching story that I wanted to share with the group! It's not often that we can truly make a difference in one's life, particularly a member of the "Greatest Generation," and I was recently afforded just such an opportunity to do so!
The story began in early February of last year, when I purchased on eBay 150 letters written by a B-29 Tail Gunner from the 9th Bomb Group to his parents during WWII. When I first saw these letters late one night while searching for B-29 items, I thought they were somewhat "interesting" at first, but personal letters were not something I necessarily collected, nor actively sought. But for some strange reason, perhaps because it was very late at night and I was half asleep, on a whim I just decided to bid on them in one of those "why not?" moments in life where we do things without really thinking about what we're doing, or why we're doing it. The next day I awoke to surprisingly find myself the new owner of 150 letters written by a B-29er during WWII, and thus began a journey which would ultimately lead me to Dayton, Ohio last Tuesday.
The letters were an amazing collection spanning the Tail Gunner's entire service during the war; being every single letter he wrote home to his parents and began when he first joined the Army in November 1943, and continued through all of his training and bombing missions over Japan, and ended in December 1945 when he was on a "long boat ride home." The seller had told me they acquired them at an estate auction some 12-14 months prior, and I just naturally assumed that it was the Veteran's own estate from which they were sold.
As I began to read the letters, perhaps the first person to do so since the war as they were all still neatly secured in bundles just as the Veteran's mother had left them some 65+ years ago, an incredible story soon started unfolding before my very eyes. As a person who is "fairly well versed" on the Second World War and all things B-29, I found the letters were full of stories and personal insight of the "daily life" on a level of which I had never seen before. "History," that wasn't in the history books. A smile was often on my face as I read the letters, gleaning insight and knowledge of what the daily life was really like for a B-29er during the war; but that smile was often short lived as I drifted back to the somber reality that the B-29er who penned these letters, was no longer of this earth.
Like so many of the 16½ million Americans of his the Greatest Generation who served our Country, he had taken his stories and experiences of the war with him to the grave, forever to be lost. But not all of them. I had his letters, and I was determined to make his voice heard! This was a story that needed to be told, and I soon embarked upon a mission, a journey to see that his service and sacrifices for our Country would not be forgotten! The idea of a book was quickly born, based on the letters and chronicling his experiences of the war through his own words, together with the greater story of the B-29 and 20th Air Force which I began weaving within his own saga.
I was still under the impression that the Veteran who wrote the letters was deceased, and had no reason to suspect otherwise. But a funny thing happened when I began researching the Veteran. I contacted his Bomb Group Association seeking some information about him and his crew, and I received a reply a few days later that left me stunned, and literally changed my life.
The Veteran, was still very much alive!!
Sgt David J Lemal, the man for who so long I had wished to of had but one chance, just one chance to talk to about his time and experiences of the war and the B-29, was alive! The letters had been "accidently" sold at an auction in 2008, and Dave had NO IDEA they had been sold, or that they were missing! Perhaps even more amazing is that he had no idea his mother had kept them after the war, and only discovered them just prior to the auction from which they were sold (they had been stored in the attic of his Uncle's house since the war, and were discovered by workers gathering items for the auction and mistakenly taken by them for the sale.)
I was deeply honored to meet Dave in person for the first time this past Tuesday at the 9th Bomb Group's reunion in Dayton, and personally returned all 150 of his lost letters back to him. The local NBC affiliate in Dayton, WDTN did a story about us and this amazing reunion, and I'll let it tell the rest of the story!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HpbrO2STZQ
Dave flew 22 combat mission during the war, below is a picture of his B-29 "Limber Richard" 44-70072, X-55 of the 9th Bomb Group, 99th Sqd.
Dave and crew; this picture was taken just prior to their mission of July 28th, 1945 - their target was the Uji-Yamada urban area. Dave is kneeling on the far right.
I have to say that it was quite an amazing experience to meet Dave, and was quite literally a dream come true for me as for so long I had assumed he was deceased, and had often wished that I would of have but once chance to talk to him about his experiences during the war. This was a dream that remarkably came true, and was an emotional time for all of us!
I brought a few B-29 items from my collection to put on display for the Veterans and their families, some of which you can see in the news story and pictures below. The biggest hit was the Sighting Station (a gunsight, but a bit more involved than that!) which was the exact model Dave used in the tail compartment. If anyone would like to see some close ups of it and the other display cases, let me know and I'll post some more pics!
Setting up the displays
The news crew interviewing me before Dave and the other Veterans arrive
Some of the Veterans and their families starting to arrive
Meeting Dave for the first time, what an amazing moment!!
Presenting Dave with his letters, he hasn't seen any of them since he wrote them during the war!
Dave sent many things home with the letters to his parents, and what we're looking at here was an especially poignant one. It was his Christmas dinner menu from 1943. For many of the guys, this was to be their last Christmas dinner...
Dave showing me some pictures he took during the war; the small photo in front of me showed a massive hole in their right stabilizer from a flak burst! (a couple feet of the stabilizer was gone!)
Showing Dave the displays, the particular one we're looking at had to do with the B-29's air dropping supplies to POW camps after Japan surrendered (Dave flew some of these missions.)
Dave and I with the sighting station
Dave, his wife Eileen and me
The next day all of us with the 9th Bomb Group reunion went to NMUSAF, where we were treated with a very special tour. They opened the doors for us an hour early before the museum opened, lead us to where Bockscar is displayed, took down the barrier and let all of us have free reign over the aircraft! Of course we couldn't get inside, but I have to say that it was quite an amazing experience to be standing in the forward bomb bay, from where "Fat Man" was slung and dropped...and to also be surrounded by the Veterans, talking to them about their experiences with the B-29 and hearing their stories! It was quite an amazing experience that I cannot fully express with words, and I was truly humbled and honored to of been there in their presence for this once in a lifetime opportunity...
I was so caught up in the moment that I literally forgot to take as many pictures as I had planned to (I even forgot to get a picture of me standing below the nose!) but here's some misc pics of Bockscar I took after everyone cleared out. If anyone would like to see more pics of the bomb bay, etc just say the word!
Overall this week has been just one incredible experience after another, truly one of the highlights of my life so far, and I consider myself very fortunate to have been a part of it. Reuniting a Veteran with his "lost" letters from the war, meeting him and all of the other Veterans from the 9th Bomb Group, listening to their stories and experiencing Bockscar with them...absolutely amazing beyond words! This is what Warbirds are all about, and what keeps me striving to make a difference everyday in the lives and legacy of our Greatest Generation! Let us never forget, what they sacrificed for us...
~Trevor McIntyre
The story began in early February of last year, when I purchased on eBay 150 letters written by a B-29 Tail Gunner from the 9th Bomb Group to his parents during WWII. When I first saw these letters late one night while searching for B-29 items, I thought they were somewhat "interesting" at first, but personal letters were not something I necessarily collected, nor actively sought. But for some strange reason, perhaps because it was very late at night and I was half asleep, on a whim I just decided to bid on them in one of those "why not?" moments in life where we do things without really thinking about what we're doing, or why we're doing it. The next day I awoke to surprisingly find myself the new owner of 150 letters written by a B-29er during WWII, and thus began a journey which would ultimately lead me to Dayton, Ohio last Tuesday.
The letters were an amazing collection spanning the Tail Gunner's entire service during the war; being every single letter he wrote home to his parents and began when he first joined the Army in November 1943, and continued through all of his training and bombing missions over Japan, and ended in December 1945 when he was on a "long boat ride home." The seller had told me they acquired them at an estate auction some 12-14 months prior, and I just naturally assumed that it was the Veteran's own estate from which they were sold.
As I began to read the letters, perhaps the first person to do so since the war as they were all still neatly secured in bundles just as the Veteran's mother had left them some 65+ years ago, an incredible story soon started unfolding before my very eyes. As a person who is "fairly well versed" on the Second World War and all things B-29, I found the letters were full of stories and personal insight of the "daily life" on a level of which I had never seen before. "History," that wasn't in the history books. A smile was often on my face as I read the letters, gleaning insight and knowledge of what the daily life was really like for a B-29er during the war; but that smile was often short lived as I drifted back to the somber reality that the B-29er who penned these letters, was no longer of this earth.
Like so many of the 16½ million Americans of his the Greatest Generation who served our Country, he had taken his stories and experiences of the war with him to the grave, forever to be lost. But not all of them. I had his letters, and I was determined to make his voice heard! This was a story that needed to be told, and I soon embarked upon a mission, a journey to see that his service and sacrifices for our Country would not be forgotten! The idea of a book was quickly born, based on the letters and chronicling his experiences of the war through his own words, together with the greater story of the B-29 and 20th Air Force which I began weaving within his own saga.
I was still under the impression that the Veteran who wrote the letters was deceased, and had no reason to suspect otherwise. But a funny thing happened when I began researching the Veteran. I contacted his Bomb Group Association seeking some information about him and his crew, and I received a reply a few days later that left me stunned, and literally changed my life.
The Veteran, was still very much alive!!
Sgt David J Lemal, the man for who so long I had wished to of had but one chance, just one chance to talk to about his time and experiences of the war and the B-29, was alive! The letters had been "accidently" sold at an auction in 2008, and Dave had NO IDEA they had been sold, or that they were missing! Perhaps even more amazing is that he had no idea his mother had kept them after the war, and only discovered them just prior to the auction from which they were sold (they had been stored in the attic of his Uncle's house since the war, and were discovered by workers gathering items for the auction and mistakenly taken by them for the sale.)
I was deeply honored to meet Dave in person for the first time this past Tuesday at the 9th Bomb Group's reunion in Dayton, and personally returned all 150 of his lost letters back to him. The local NBC affiliate in Dayton, WDTN did a story about us and this amazing reunion, and I'll let it tell the rest of the story!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HpbrO2STZQ
Dave flew 22 combat mission during the war, below is a picture of his B-29 "Limber Richard" 44-70072, X-55 of the 9th Bomb Group, 99th Sqd.
Dave and crew; this picture was taken just prior to their mission of July 28th, 1945 - their target was the Uji-Yamada urban area. Dave is kneeling on the far right.
I have to say that it was quite an amazing experience to meet Dave, and was quite literally a dream come true for me as for so long I had assumed he was deceased, and had often wished that I would of have but once chance to talk to him about his experiences during the war. This was a dream that remarkably came true, and was an emotional time for all of us!
I brought a few B-29 items from my collection to put on display for the Veterans and their families, some of which you can see in the news story and pictures below. The biggest hit was the Sighting Station (a gunsight, but a bit more involved than that!) which was the exact model Dave used in the tail compartment. If anyone would like to see some close ups of it and the other display cases, let me know and I'll post some more pics!
Setting up the displays
The news crew interviewing me before Dave and the other Veterans arrive
Some of the Veterans and their families starting to arrive
Meeting Dave for the first time, what an amazing moment!!
Presenting Dave with his letters, he hasn't seen any of them since he wrote them during the war!
Dave sent many things home with the letters to his parents, and what we're looking at here was an especially poignant one. It was his Christmas dinner menu from 1943. For many of the guys, this was to be their last Christmas dinner...
Dave showing me some pictures he took during the war; the small photo in front of me showed a massive hole in their right stabilizer from a flak burst! (a couple feet of the stabilizer was gone!)
Showing Dave the displays, the particular one we're looking at had to do with the B-29's air dropping supplies to POW camps after Japan surrendered (Dave flew some of these missions.)
Dave and I with the sighting station
Dave, his wife Eileen and me
The next day all of us with the 9th Bomb Group reunion went to NMUSAF, where we were treated with a very special tour. They opened the doors for us an hour early before the museum opened, lead us to where Bockscar is displayed, took down the barrier and let all of us have free reign over the aircraft! Of course we couldn't get inside, but I have to say that it was quite an amazing experience to be standing in the forward bomb bay, from where "Fat Man" was slung and dropped...and to also be surrounded by the Veterans, talking to them about their experiences with the B-29 and hearing their stories! It was quite an amazing experience that I cannot fully express with words, and I was truly humbled and honored to of been there in their presence for this once in a lifetime opportunity...
I was so caught up in the moment that I literally forgot to take as many pictures as I had planned to (I even forgot to get a picture of me standing below the nose!) but here's some misc pics of Bockscar I took after everyone cleared out. If anyone would like to see more pics of the bomb bay, etc just say the word!
Overall this week has been just one incredible experience after another, truly one of the highlights of my life so far, and I consider myself very fortunate to have been a part of it. Reuniting a Veteran with his "lost" letters from the war, meeting him and all of the other Veterans from the 9th Bomb Group, listening to their stories and experiencing Bockscar with them...absolutely amazing beyond words! This is what Warbirds are all about, and what keeps me striving to make a difference everyday in the lives and legacy of our Greatest Generation! Let us never forget, what they sacrificed for us...
~Trevor McIntyre
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:35 am
What an incredible story..thanks for sharing! Sometimes we get so focused on the machines around here that we forget the human side of the story, which I think all will agree is far more important in the long run.
Are you still considering a book? A colabarative effort with Mr. Lemal including some of his letters, along with his personal photos and reflections would be fantastic.
SN
Are you still considering a book? A colabarative effort with Mr. Lemal including some of his letters, along with his personal photos and reflections would be fantastic.
SN
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:55 am
Steve Nelson wrote:What an incredible story..thanks for sharing! Sometimes we get so focused on the machines around here that we forget the human side of the story, which I think all will agree is far more important in the long run.
Are you still considering a book? A colabarative effort with Mr. Lemal including some of his letters, along with his personal photos and reflections would be fantastic.
Thanks Steve! The book is indeed progressing; in fact I just recently finished the first draft, and the final draft should be completed within two months or less. Stay tuned!
For anyone who might have missed it above (apologies for the long post!) here is a link to the news story about Dave being reunited with his letters; NBC Dayton did a very nice job (they even mentioned the book!) and it really meant a lot to all of the B-29ers there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HpbrO2STZQ
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:19 am
Good job Trevor, can't wait for the book.
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:49 am
Trevor, that is remarkable and touching beyond words. You have my utmost appreciation and particularly my RESPECT for going above and beyond to not just bring back a bit of this man's life, but to show these veterans just how much they are appreciated.
You, sir, are AWESOME.
Lynn
You, sir, are AWESOME.
Lynn
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:19 am
Well done Trevor Thanks for sharing that with us. I cant wait to pick up a copy of the book when it is ready. 
Thanks for sharing that with us. I cant wait to pick up a copy of the book when it is ready.
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:53 am
Well done Trevor!
Taigh
Taigh
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:17 am
What a great experience, Trevor! Meeting any vet is an honor, but this goes one big step beyond that. Good on ya! I was kinda having a bad morning, and your post was a great pick-me-up.
When the book is published, please be sure to let the WIX community know about it.
When the book is published, please be sure to let the WIX community know about it.
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Mon Aug 29, 2011 9:10 am
Trevor,
Thanks much for the post ... I really enjoyed both the write-up and the photos ... Meeting many of the veterans with many stories is one of the major benefits I find in volunteering at the Museum. Your efforts are truly outstanding and this vet appreciates all you did for that veteran.
Thanks much for the post ... I really enjoyed both the write-up and the photos ... Meeting many of the veterans with many stories is one of the major benefits I find in volunteering at the Museum. Your efforts are truly outstanding and this vet appreciates all you did for that veteran.
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NM
Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:45 pm
Thanks for all of the kinds words everybody! It was really something to see all of the genuine appreciation from all the Veterans I met; they sacrificed so much for us during the war that it really meant a lot for them to see those of us of the younger generations who are not only interested in what they did, but are working very hard to preserve their legacy and insuring their sacrifices are not forgotten for the generations yet to walk upon this earth. And to that end, I'd like to take this opportunity now to address anyone reading this who is perhaps contemplating becoming involved in warbirds, but has yet to do so for whatever reason or excuse.
GET INVOLVED NOW!
We are rapidly approaching the day in which the Greatest Generation will be no more, and now is the time to get involved and make a difference as they slowly enter the twilight of their lives.
Nothing illustrated this more then when we had our pictures taken in front of Bockscar at NMUSAF. The first picture was a group photo of all who attended the reunion; the Veterans, their families and friends. The next photo was to be just of the Veterans themselves, and as we all gathered behind the photographer and turned around, the sight we were greeted with brought a somber smile, and nearly tears for many of us:
In August of 1945, the 9th Bomb Group had a strength of over 2,200 men filling it ranks. And of those some 2,000 men, 66 years later on August 23, 2011 - only 16 Veterans were able to make it to the reunion....
Their time is slowly running out, get involved now...
You don't have to own a warbird, or even be wealthy to get involved. You don't have to be a pilot or mechanic, or have any skills whatsoever in maintenance and restoration. All you need, is the will and desire to make a difference in the precious little time they have left with us.
Get involved now...
GET INVOLVED NOW!
We are rapidly approaching the day in which the Greatest Generation will be no more, and now is the time to get involved and make a difference as they slowly enter the twilight of their lives.
Nothing illustrated this more then when we had our pictures taken in front of Bockscar at NMUSAF. The first picture was a group photo of all who attended the reunion; the Veterans, their families and friends. The next photo was to be just of the Veterans themselves, and as we all gathered behind the photographer and turned around, the sight we were greeted with brought a somber smile, and nearly tears for many of us:
In August of 1945, the 9th Bomb Group had a strength of over 2,200 men filling it ranks. And of those some 2,000 men, 66 years later on August 23, 2011 - only 16 Veterans were able to make it to the reunion....
Their time is slowly running out, get involved now...
You don't have to own a warbird, or even be wealthy to get involved. You don't have to be a pilot or mechanic, or have any skills whatsoever in maintenance and restoration. All you need, is the will and desire to make a difference in the precious little time they have left with us.
Get involved now...
Last edited by B29Gunner on Sat Nov 30, 2024 10:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NM
Wed Sep 21, 2011 2:09 am
I have a website up now with more information about Dave and his letters, and the book I'm writing about his story for anyone interested!
There's one thing on the website that I wanted to take a moment to draw some attention to, which is an audio recording of an actual B-29 mission over Japan. On the recording you will hear the reporter describing the mission as they begin their bomb run, and after bombs away they are attacked by swarms of Japanese fighters. You can clearly hear the Bombardier firing his gun turrets at the fighters, and actually shooting one of them down. The entire recording is an amazing piece of history, and it's something that every American needs to hear...and when you read the "rest of the story" about this crew, you'll know why.
Let us never forget...
~Trevor McIntyre
There's one thing on the website that I wanted to take a moment to draw some attention to, which is an audio recording of an actual B-29 mission over Japan. On the recording you will hear the reporter describing the mission as they begin their bomb run, and after bombs away they are attacked by swarms of Japanese fighters. You can clearly hear the Bombardier firing his gun turrets at the fighters, and actually shooting one of them down. The entire recording is an amazing piece of history, and it's something that every American needs to hear...and when you read the "rest of the story" about this crew, you'll know why.
Let us never forget...
~Trevor McIntyre
Last edited by B29Gunner on Sat Nov 30, 2024 10:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:13 am
While I was finishing my last semester of College, I was planning on traveling to interview my grandfather about his experiences as a B-24 pilot. 3 days before I was supposed to leave, he passed away. I very much regret that I didn't take the opportunity sooner. It'll be a sad day when the last WW2 vet passes away.
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Wed Sep 21, 2011 12:16 pm
Outstanding work Trevor!!
A year or so ago we encountered a similar experience when my wife and I discovered her great grandfather's WW2 pictures being sold on ebay. We had no idea the existed til then. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of the people in possession of the pictures my wife's family was reunited with her great grandfather's legacy.
I look forward to the book.
Shay
____________
Semper Fortis
A year or so ago we encountered a similar experience when my wife and I discovered her great grandfather's WW2 pictures being sold on ebay. We had no idea the existed til then. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of the people in possession of the pictures my wife's family was reunited with her great grandfather's legacy.
I look forward to the book.
Shay
____________
Semper Fortis
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Wed Sep 21, 2011 12:19 pm
That is awesome, mate!
Fantastic Job!!!!!
Mazeltov!!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic Job!!!!!
Mazeltov!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: A B-29 Gunner reunited with his "lost" war letters, + NMUSAF
Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:49 pm
This post is the diamond in the rough that makes WIX great! Well done indeed Trevor, well done indeed!