[303rd-Talk] Newcomer with questions

[Jim McCoy]

Gary,

In addition to the sites others have mentioned, I would encourage you to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum on the Mall if/when you get to Washington DC.  The backdrop for the WWII exhibit hall is a near lifesize painting/mural (by Keith Ferris) looking nose on at Thunderbird (roughly) from the tail gunner position of the B-17 ahead of it in formation over Germany.  It's a very moving image for those of us with ties to the guys who were there.

It's the top image on this page: http://www.303rdbg.com/thunderbird/ferris.html   You've probably seen (or have!) small prints of it.  But 75 feet wide and lighted bright as day, behind actual WWII aircraft displayed, it's a stunner.

Having discussed this mural with Keith Ferris and the assembled multitude of 303rd vets at a reunion 10+ years ago, it was
 generally agreed that on the exact mission portrayed, (Keith REALLY does his homework) the aircraft likely leading Thunderbird was Daddy's Delight.  If that sounds like an interesting coincidence, wait until you stand there looking at it from a few feet away into the eyes of Thunderbird's crew.  You'll have trouble breathing.

My uncle Charles McCoy was on Daddy's Delight on that mission (he said many times.)  His brother, my father, Melvin McCoy was back at Molesworth running the 444th sub-depot (from the first mission until turning out the lights.)

Next better "touch" experience is a walk thru of any of the dozen-ish airworthy fully combat configuration restored B-17's (most in the US.)  Better still is a flight in one (most offer rides for a few hundred bucks a "seat.")  You'll never forget it.  Or get over being amazed at what those guys did over there.

Jim McCoy



--- On Tue, 1/20/09, Gary Pett <pett at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
From: Gary Pett <pett at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: [303rd-Talk] Newcomer with
 questions
To: 303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 8:41 AM

Please excuse the length of this message but I am a newcomer with much to learn.

My name is Gary Pett, married for 27 years to Martha nee Garvey, whose father
Richard J. Garvey was a navigator with the 303rd BG and the 359th BS
("Harding's Crew", mostly flying on 'Daddy's
Delight'). Recently we found a box containing about 84 V-mails and other
correspondence, as well as official war documents of Lt. Garvey.

The V-mails have been transcribed, his 37 mission reports (including two
non-credit) read and summarized, the photographs placed in a special album and
.... our curiosity is really piqued!

Here are my initial questions:

1) Do any of the members have first hand recollections of or other knowledge of
Lt. Garvey's service?

2) Where are the best sources to find and scan additional photos that
 would
flesh out the visual history of his tour for us?

3) If we were to organize a family trip, where would the "top" places
be? Molesworth? Galvaston to see the Thunderbird? Any suggestions would be
helpful.

Thank you, Gary Pett
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