Hollywood salary not included

Muscle & Fitness, July, 2009 by Chris Lockwood

The scene opens with a close-up of the E.Z. Duzit B-24 Liberator nose art and the ear-piercing whine of its engines cutting through the sky. Panning out, the sound becomes a deafening buzz as the entire second section of the 44th Bombardment Group, the Flying 8-Balls of the 8th Air Force 66th Squadron, comes into view--the E.Z. Duzit at the lead. In the distance, the enemy target: the outskirts of World War II-era Berlin. Then all hell breaks loose.

Thousands upon thousands of pounds of bombs begin their listless descent toward obliterationville as the Nazis unleash a blanket of flak and ammo to defend the city.

Four bursts of heavy flak rip apart the E.Z. Duzit; the plane's nose and front wheel assembly, all radio communication and the oxygen support systems are destroyed. The No. 3 engine is hit and attempts to feather the engine kills the hydraulic pump. The pilot's left leg has been nearly severed by the blasts, and he and the crew try to remove what remains as they continue taking enemy fire and begin a desperation flight toward English shores.

The gore causes the young co-pilot to vomit into his reserve oxygen mask, which cuts off his air supply and requires the crew to repeatedly revive him. To make matters worse, this is his first mission and he has never landed a B-24. The seasoned lieutenant, still bleeding badly, is helped to his cockpit seat and begins coaching the shaky, young co-pilot toward safety.

Without brakes, a nosewheel or radio communications, the plane skids along the runway as parachutes attached to the gun mounts are used to bring the craft to a stop. Mission accomplished--the crew is safe and the rookie has earned his wings. Cue the happy music.

Hollywood? Get real! The events of March 9,1944, of then-1st Lt. Kenneth G. Jewell and his crew, or of the millions of servicemen and -women like them, have sadly been replaced by the constant media assault of celebrity lives, wannabe stars and otherwise ignorant babble. Lost are the stories about real heroes; heroes my grandfather--Tech Sgt. Kenneth S. Dropek (1921-1992), B-24 Liberator top turret gunner and chief engineer in the Flying 8-Balls--was too humble to discuss. To every man and woman who have selflessly placed their lives in harm's way to protect the liberties and freedom of others, may God bless you--the real action heroes!

In strength,

Source: 44th Bomb Group: Roll of Honor and Casualties (1987) by Will Lundy

BY CHRIS LOCKWOOD, MS, CSCS

EDITOR IN CHIEF