The C-47

About the Book

I have been asked a number of times why I haven’t written anything about my World War II experience.  Truthfully, I have given it a great deal of thought, but until I read Stephan E. Ambrose’s book The Wild Blue, I had dispelled the thought from my mind.  I have read a number of books about various war experiences but The Wild Blue really got me thinking.  Many, many interesting stories have been written about the war and about the Air Force, of which I was a part.  In spite of this, I have yet to find anything in writing about the Troop Carrier Pilots and Crews and their exact roles in the war.  Having been a Troop Carrier Pilot, I do have a little first hand knowledge of what they did when they were not preparing for an important Air-borne Troop drop.  I have read a number of books about the Fighter Wings and Bomber Groups - all great pieces of work.  My heart goes out to every one of them and the hell that they had to go through.  This book is about the 60^th Troop Carrier Group; it’s conception and, our duties and responsibilities during and after the war in Europe.

I dedicate this book to all the guys in the 60^th Troop Carrier Group and particularly those in the 12^th Squadron of which I was a part.

About the Author

I have heard that most war vets don’t volunteer conversation of time-spent serving.  They claim ‘it was their duty – something that had to be done’.  The author of this book, Lt. Richard Harvey, my grandfather, is no different than I suspect any WWII veteran.  His response to any inquiry about his time at war always was “Now why would you want to know about that?”  I also imagine that if briefly engaged, any vets stories, experiences and memories would begin to flow like lava from Mt. Vesuvius.

My grandfather and I don’t share similar political views – especially about our country’s obligation to fight, and our religious views vary widely.  I can only assume that my passion for the written word comes from a bloodline that bonds us without prejudice.  I, like he, has an appreciation for the untold story.  It is said that the current war in Iraq may be the first of many that will not have an historical paper trail due in part to the omnipresent use of the Internet.  School textbooks will no doubt continue to adequately provide an historical view of any world event for prosperity’s sake.  However, will there be room for the slice of life accounts of a 22-year old soldier who is out of his element trying to make the most of a curious situation?  With more than 1,200 WWII vets passing away daily, personal accounts, written or recorded by family may be the only memoirs we have to reflect upon.

There are no particular heroics displayed within the pages of C-47 – The Flying Workhorse of WWII only a series of moments marked by emotion, compassion, patriotism and loyalty to an oath taken before God and country.  If one takes the time to engage anyone who has experienced an event such as war, we may continue a quilt of memories from which future generations can enjoy, gather inspiration and experience a fleeting moment of the past.