Paratrooper re-united with C-47 after 65 years - FOR GARY

[Quest Master]

As many of you may or may not know I purchased what was left of C-47A 43-15137 from Gary of the CAF. This C-47 was known as "Chalk 40" of the 306th TCS 442nd TCG that carried members of B Company, 507th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division into Normandy France on June 6th 1944.

Today August 8th 2009, Cpl Bob Roussey (Jump Position 12 of Chalk 40) was re-united with his aircraft. Bob jumped from this aircraft in the early morning hours of D-Day with the rest of his chalk into Normandy, France. Although he was position 12 of 18, he was the last to leave the aircraft. Lt James Clarke (KIA June 13th 1944) ordered Roussey to go to the cockpit tell the Crew Chief to gain altitude since they were going to "jump from the aircraft and not walk out of it". When he returned, all of the 17 other troopers had already jumped from the aircraft. Cpl Roussey was wounded on June 15th 1944, loosing his right eye. I was honored to spend about 3 hours with Bob, listening to his story of the flight and the jump, the early days after D-Day and the pride he felt fighting with the 507th.

This was the first time he had touched or seen his aircraft in 65 years.
Enjoy.


For the full story of C-47A 43-15137 click here:
http://www.questmasters.us/C-47A_43-15137.html

[retroaviation]

Absolutely incredible!!! Thank you, not only for arranging the reunion with man and airplane, but for sharing it with us here.

I still kick myself for not checking into the history of that airplane when it was up for auction. It could've been saved, rather than being cut up by the scumbag scrappers (which I watched them do as I was trying to get the PBY ready to be moved to my place). The entire airplane, minus engines, sold for $3,800.00. Darn shame.

I am, however, so happy that I was able to obtain the nose section only a day or two prior to it being melted down itself. I am equally happy that Van (Questmaster) was the one to get the nose section from me. He has clearly been a good custodian of it and it is moments such as this reunion that make all of these efforts to save airplanes from the scrapper worthwhile.

Excellent job Van!!!

Gary

[retroaviation]

I forgot to add that, over two years later, I was also able to save the propellers off of that C-47. As mentioned earlier, the firewall forwards were not on the aircraft when it was auctioned off, and although the engines were taken by another CAF unit, the propellers stayed at the Rio Grande Valley Squadron of the CAF, since that is who the airplane was assigned to at the very end. I had asked the Squadron Leader what they were going to do with them, and he said they were "just going to throw them away, since they were junk." Naturally, I drove down to Brownsville right away to retrieve them, before yet another former CAF asset was going to end up in the scrap pile.

So, getting these props restored (static display only, due to corrosion) and placed on display somewhere, is on my long list of "things to do."

Gary

[Quest Master]

Thanks Gary! It has been an awesome Quest. When Bob sat next to the cockpit and taked about the smell of the gas and sounds of the engines and FLAK prior to the jump you could just see in his face that he was back on the morning of the 6th.

As for those props....I know someone that could give them a really good home - hint hint.

[Airlift48]

Absolutely fantastic story and thanks for sharing!

As for the props, if they aren't reunited with the nose section,

put them on the "Catofreighter"

(sorry, I just like that name)

[retroaviation]

Actually, I thought about "displaying" the props on the little project in my front yard (Stratolina, Catofreighter, whatever), but I just keep thinkin' that those ol' props deserve more respect than that.

Gary

[TAdan]

Thanks for posting. The story attached to that nose section keeps getting better and better.

[fotobass]

Gary, this is it.

This is what you need to remember whenever the current situation with the ownership/NMUSAF/nonownership/whatever gets you down.

Some days you eat the bear, and some days the bear eats you, but this very thread right here...this is why you do what you do. This is why, no matter what curves get thrown your way, and no matter what political/organizational silliness may come your way, you should trust your instincts, and follow the path that calls you the loudest.

You're a good man with a great heart.

*salute*

[the330thbg]

Absolutely great story and how proud you all must have been!


One quick question..,?

What the heck is a 'chalk'?

I know I have jumped in 'sticks' before.., but what is a 'chalk'?

[fotobass]

I believe it's the number chalked onto the nose to identify it in to the troopers.

[Quest Master]

That is exactly correct. The "Chalk Number" was applied in white chalk on the side of the aircraft next to the entry/exit door on the left side. This was the number that the aircraft flew in formation, it this case number 40 out of 45 aircraft. The number was applied to the side of the aircraft so the paratroopers would know which aircraft they were assigned to jump from.

[the330thbg]

well, come to think of it.., that does look fairly self explanatory.., just never heard anyone talk of jumping in 'Chalk 18' 'Sticks' yes.., but not 'Chalk's'.., ??

hey.., learn something every day!

Thanks again!

[Jack Cook]

I don't care who ya are that's just cool

[Quest Master]

well, come to think of it.., that does look fairly self explanatory.., just never heard anyone talk of jumping in 'Chalk 18' 'Sticks' yes.., but not 'Chalk's'.., ??

hey.., learn something every day!

Thanks again!

And that is where the term "stick" came from.....a "stick of chalk". 2 Sticks per Chalk (Aircraft). When you write it out like this it looks funny....but the terms make sense when you say it out loud.