"This is one of few books that I have seen that has been written about the enlisted man's side of the story. It was very interesting to read so many details of his experiences that was almost an identical scenario to what we went through." ---William W. Louie, 9th AF, 354th FG, 356th FS.
 
Everyone has heard tales of the glory of war, of generals' strategies and ace pilots' adventures, of policy makers' tough decisions and POWs who escape miraculously from behind enemy lines. But what of the ordinary civilian soldier, drafted out of freshman year at college and thrust in a terrifying and exciting unknown world?

John B. Henkels lets us know firsthand what it was like to be at the mercy of the armed forces, from the uncertainty of basic training to the pride in becoming a full fledged armorer in World War II.

HenkeIs gives us a comprehensive understanding of the importance of those who worked behind the scenes. As an aircraft armorer, his job was to maintain the eight machine guns on a P-47 and to load and fuse the bombs which the squadron dropped on enemy positions in support of infantry. Henkels began his overseas service in England, and then crossed the Channel into France. After seven months in France, he went on to Belgium and ended up in Germany just before the war was over.

Hardbook with cover, 273 pages, group and squadron photos.

July 3, 2006 - 354th.com website major update currently in progress / Moving to new web address