Local Author to Recount WWII Bombardier Experiences

Typically, a heavy bomber crewman in WWII survived on average 16 bombing missions. Jack Myers, author of Shot at And Missed: Recollections of a World War II Bombardier survived 35 missions before being honorably discharged in 1945.

Myers will relate his experiences as a B-17 bombardier Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. at the Belle Isle Library.

The author, who lives in Arcadia , Oklahoma , was stationed in an air base just inside the spur of Italy 's boot, east of Foggia , Myers explained in his book.

What was it really like for those aboard the B-17 bomber during the war? Myers will give an up close and personal account of the tense atmosphere he and his crewmates experienced flying on missions over Germany .

From the prologue of his book, the author wrote:

"Lieutenant Bender, Lieutenant Ruhlin, Lieutenant Myers, Lieutenant Jay." The sergeant called our names, pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, and navigator. In the early morning hours it was like a death knell.

The day before our group had lost two B-17 bombers over Munich , Germany , twenty men gone in a flash over the 'peaceful' blue Danube . Would today be our turn?"
"Lt. Myers will also tell stories beyond the war zone," said librarian Ann Meeks.

To escape the horrors of war and preserve their sanity, Myers and his crewmates clowned around with one another and romanced Italian women," continued Meeks.

Books will be available to purchase for author signings after the program, on Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Belle Isle Library.

The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County includes 12 libraries and five extension libraries. Libraries include Belle Isle, Capitol Hill, Ralph Ellison, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and Southern Oaks in Oklahoma City, as well as Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Midwest City, Village and Warr Acres. Extensions are located in the communities of Harrah, Jones, Luther and Nicoma Park and include Wright Library in Oklahoma City . You can also reach us at www.metrolibrary.org.