Site search
sponsored by
News
I lost my friend recently, the last of my buddies from World War II. James Scan-lon, age 85. He was something special.
Graduated from high school at 17, entered the Army Air Corps cadet program, graduated as a pilot at age 18.
His brother was his hero and was flying B-24 heavy bombers out of England, so James chose to fly B-24s, too.
Was an aircraft commander at age 19. Flew a new B-24 from the factory with a 10-man crew across America, then over the Atlantic to England, dealing with many emergencies en route.
James then flew 35 missions into Germany and was badly shot up several times.
Upon completing his missions, he volunteered to fly more missions in a P-51 fighter, talked a fighter squadron short of pilots into checking him out.
He flew another 15 missions and lived. He did all of this before his 20th birthday.
Later, he was on orders to go to Korea, but his brother was shot down and killed there. Being the sole surviving son, his orders were canceled, and he never went to war again.
He spent 30 years flying in the Air Force. Flew more than 15 different types of aircraft and was an instructor for most of them.
Also had eight children!
Was a great man, husband and friend. I had to tell this story this Veterans Day, lest both he and his brother Bob be forgotten.
They were truly of the greatest generation that gave so much.
Roy Crain lives in Alta Sierra.
Graduated from high school at 17, entered the Army Air Corps cadet program, graduated as a pilot at age 18.
His brother was his hero and was flying B-24 heavy bombers out of England, so James chose to fly B-24s, too.
Was an aircraft commander at age 19. Flew a new B-24 from the factory with a 10-man crew across America, then over the Atlantic to England, dealing with many emergencies en route.
James then flew 35 missions into Germany and was badly shot up several times.
Upon completing his missions, he volunteered to fly more missions in a P-51 fighter, talked a fighter squadron short of pilots into checking him out.
He flew another 15 missions and lived. He did all of this before his 20th birthday.
Later, he was on orders to go to Korea, but his brother was shot down and killed there. Being the sole surviving son, his orders were canceled, and he never went to war again.
He spent 30 years flying in the Air Force. Flew more than 15 different types of aircraft and was an instructor for most of them.
Also had eight children!
Was a great man, husband and friend. I had to tell this story this Veterans Day, lest both he and his brother Bob be forgotten.
They were truly of the greatest generation that gave so much.
Roy Crain lives in Alta Sierra.
