NINE YANKS AND A JERK

The incredible saga of one of the most legendary planes in the U.S. 8th Air Force flown by Major James M. Stewart and the aircrews under his command in World War II

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SPECIAL TRIBUTE. WORLD WAR II 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EDITION. Foreword written by Eric Shawn, Fox News Anchor and Senior Correspondent. Newly added photos, graphics, and a SPECIAL TRIBUTE to one of the plane's last surviving crew members and WWII veterans included.. 'Can an airplane embody the American spirit of freedom? The lumbering B-24, "Nine Yanks and A Jerk," certainly symbolizes the resilience and optimism of our nation during a dark time. It was shot at and kept flying. It was hit and kept flying. And then on April 12th, 1944, it suffered a final, fatal blow. But the ideals of democracy and freedom that sent it into the air still resonate to this day." from Eric Shawn War...U.S. airmen...a famous motion picture star...an iconic American airplane...aerial combat...flak...a direct hit...critical damage...an emergency landing...shot down...escape and evasion...a famous news correspondent's father... What do these things all have in common? A legendary plane called Nine Yanks and a Jerk. The day before their mission, 13 out of the 25 planes sent out by the 445th Bomb Group did not return from combat to their base at Tibenham, England. That was 130 men, ten men per bomber, who did not return to their home base. They were either wounded, killed, taken prisoner, or had to evade capture. Many of them never returned home from the war. It meant that dozens of men would never live to marry, have families, or see their loved ones again. It was one of the worst losses in U.S. 8th Air Force history by a heavy bomber group up to that point. The chances of survival of a 30-mission tour of duty for a ten-man bomber crew were less than twenty-five percent. This is the story of one of the crews under Jimmy Stewart's command, the Williams crew, and one of their most dangerous missions when they flew deeper into a heavily-defended Germany than any previous mission. Flying in the lead plane in their formation was none other than Major James "Jimmy" M. Stewart, the famous movie actor-turned-bomber pilot, their squadron commander. This is the detailed account of that mission and the incredible story of one of their squadron's most uniquely named planes and other brave crews who flew it in WWII. Continues 70 years later with a veteran's son retracing his father's footsteps and flight paths in tribute across Europe and the U.S. as he honors and pays his respects to the airmen, as well as getting the full story from the families involved. "A tale of two adventures, one high over Nazi Germany in WWII and the other moving across continents and countries as a loving son traces his father's footsteps..." U.S. Air Force veteran, Bill, Ohio Contains over 200 photos and illustrations (over 130 in color).Read more at WWW.SONOFAGUNNERB24.COM

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Scott Culver's interest in World War II began with his father's telling of his wartime service and combat experiences to him as early as the age of five. His interest grew over the years as his father, Henry J. Culver, Sr., shared his experiences as a ball turret gunner, waist gunner, and assistant engineer on a B-24 Liberator crew in more detail. Scott developed a love for history, especially World War II history, as a result. Inspired by his father's patriotism and wartime service, Scott followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating from high school. After completing his Air Force Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, he served with the Military Airlift Command (MAC) division, where he served in ground support squadrons with the 438th Field Maintenance Squadron and in the 438th Transportation Squadron, both at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Scott also was able to fly on various missions during his service in the largest aircraft in the world at the time, the C-5 Galaxy transport plane. He also flew in the C-141 Starlifter transport repeatedly. While on active duty, he attended college in his off-duty hours and was able to accumulate college credits. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from his military service, Scott used his veteran's benefits and completed his college studies in the educational field, having earned two B.A. degrees with honors - one in Elementary Education, and another in Psychology. He later acquired a qualification in Middle School Social Studies. He has taught both American and World History courses, and Language Arts, in the elementary and middle school levels. He taught in private and public schools for over 20 years. Scott has spent the last four and a half years traveling the United States and Europe, several times each, retracing his father's WWII footsteps and flight paths. He interviewed his father's fellow crew members' families, as well as their last surviving combat crew member, George Snook. Many other individuals related to this work were interviewed as well. A considerable amount of those efforts are contained in this work. He continues to travel, research, and write for his larger work entitled, Daylight Raiders. The latter volume encompasses his father's entire life, especially his complete WWII training and 30 combat missions over Nazi occupied Europe.