Posted By Doug Opalski on March 19, 2008 at 13:15:26:
Joe (Jake) died all too young at home of alcohol. I was too young to appreciate my uncle. Now, as an artist I'm compelled to honor him and his service. The memorable story he told was being forced to land in Russia after a run on Ploesti with only one engine and no landing gear remaining. The ball turret gunner lost his legs on landing. A Russian officer didn't care about offering medical assistance. Jake said:"He dies, you die," placing his 45 at the officers temple. That cost Jake his strips. At home, Jake said we should have finished off Russia then and there. He knew more than our political leaders. (Some things never change.)I didn't know him. Any and all info on Jake, his squadron, mates and air ship would help. As I recall, he enlisted early in '42. His bomber jacket had a red triangle on the stabilizer with the letter H or J perhaps.