By the end of the war in September 1945 more than 16 million Americans wore the uniform. There were more than One Million casualties which included over 400,000 killed. The overwhelming attitude was . . . Get Home . . . Get back to their regular life.
The end of the war in Europe started the process. Warships, transports had their roles changed overnight. Aircraft carriers had the space to bring thousands home in one trip. Ships were seen packed with returning GIs.
The Airmen who qualified were allowed to fly back to the USA. Bombers which were loaded with bombs and ammunition were now loaded to capacity with aircrew and ground crew and to fly their warplanes . . . home.
One pilot who flew combat missions in the Chine-Burma-India theatre is Frank Lampe. Frank flew combat missions with the 308th Bomb Group in B-24 Liberators, which flew out of China supporting the Chinese offensive and then moved to India in support of the allied actions against the Japanese until the war ended. The group began the long series of flights back to the USA in December 1945.
Frank described the long haul. “We flew east and made our way across India, and then flew across Arabia and the northern areas of Africa. We were then directed to fly across the Saharan desert and along the western coast of Africa to Iberia. That was the jumping off point for the southern route to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. The longest overwater flight was from Africa to Brazil. Our landfall was Natal, Brazil. From there we flew along the Brazilian coast, stopping at US airbases for fuel . . . British Guiana . . . Venezuela . . . and then hopping across the islands in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Trinidad, Saint Lucia, Puerto Rico and finally made our last landing at Homestead Air Force Base near Miami Florida.
Frank had delivered the bomber and more importantly several Americans back home.
He flew many different B-24s in combat. He was assigned a B-24 to fly home, which had the distinctive shark mouth painted on the nose that the 308th was known for. This B-24 also was painted with a less than fully dressed young woman who exclaimed that she was “Dressed for Action”. Frank told me that that the closer they got to the USA he began to wonder what the reaction would be to a warplane, which had been flown into combat and was decorated with what could be scandalous. He told me that the desire to get home soon was more important.
Frank Lampe is still among us. He is now 101 years old. Frank lives in Columbus. He left the B-24 in Florida and made his way back to Ohio. Like the millions of returning soldiers, Frank came back and had the “Great American Life”. He married his sweetheart, Mary Louise and they were together for more then 70 years. They had 5 children and fulfilled the promise of Americans who left home, defeated the fascists, saved the world, came home and resumed life.
When I had the chance to make Frank’s portrait at the National Museum of the USAF, we decided that the Museum’s B-24 would be the proper background, even though, he reminded me that it was NOT the exact version he flew. We compromised by using the elements of the bomber which were the same. The Museum Director was on hand to greet Frank and his family, to provide for him some well earned VIP treatment. I had found a photo of the B-24 painted with the art he had described and had a print for Frank to hold in the portrait.
When I gave that to Frank he was surprised and very pleased. I asked Frank about his wartime experiences and if he had any thoughts that summed it all up. He was quiet for a moment but his response was clearly one he had considered. He said “ I am here to represent all the guys from the “Three Oh Eighth” who didn’t get home or who aren’t with us anymore”. “ I am still here for them”. The he smiled and told me, “What the hell, I got fly around the world . . . twice and Got Paid For it”!!
They left home, saved the world, those who survived came home and turned postwar USA into the country we live in now.
Frank lived a full life of 101 years. He made his last takeoff a week ago today. He will be buried at The Dayton National Cemetery along with his wife Mary Louise.
So . . . Frank Lampe . . . this is Dan Patterson for WYSO wishing you Blue Skies and Tailwinds!