rick_kaufman
10/27/2011 8:21:47 PM | Lest They Forget Freedom's Price: Memoirs of a WWII Bomber Pilot
LCol Edward M. Bender
This book was written by a pilot who served in the 457th Bomb Group, which was part of the 94th Bombardment Wing along with the 401st and 351st Bomb Groups. Colonel Bender flew several missions that my father flew with the 401st Bomb Group.
The book includes a lot of information about training in the states. Edward was initially tasked to train pilots prior to his serving as a lead pilot in the 457th. On his last mission, he was flying lead in an aircraft that he hadn't had the luxury of flying the day prior (as was his usual procedure when flying lead). The aircraft developed a fire and the crew was forced to bail out. Edward relates his experiences as a POW, his return home, and his life after the war.
I met Colonel Bender in Detroit in 2009 at an 8thAFHS reunion, and am honored to have a signed copy of his book. Copies are readily available on Amazon
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