Alexandria Veterans #1
B O B
For some reason, John Steele took me under his wing. (Pun intended). Mr. Steele taught me machinist work, how to use tools - including taps and dies - and he taught me to fly.
For anyone who has had me as a passenger in a car, you know I try to drive from the right hand seat. Flying in a passenger jet works the same. Most people assume I have a fear of flying. Not true. I just feel better when I have the control stick between my knees. Call me a control freak - I do not care - I prefer to control the means of my destiny, Gott sei dank.
After an afternoon flight out of our local airport in Heath with Mr. Steele, I came home to work on a new plastic model airplane I had recently purchased, a Northrop P-61 Black Widow. It was a beautiful day in the early summer. This was, in the reality of World War II, a significant development in aerodynamics and tactical employment. In short, this model represented a game-changer in the defeat of the Nazi Luftwaffe in World War II.
Little did I know but there was a World War II veteran of the U. S. Army Air Force of World War II who was a radio operator/rear gunner who served aboard a real P-61 Black Widow. I wish he had lived long enough for me to completely download his wartime experiences. Sadly, death comes to us all, even a fellow Red Devil.
Bob - Robert Fisher - graduated from Alexandria High School in 1941. Bob also made Licking County's 6-Man All-County Football Team as Quarterback. I do not know if Bob was drafted, but I do know that there were many who volunteered for the Army Air Force to avoid being drafted into the infantry. After Basic Training, Bob headed off to sunny Florida, specifically Orlando, for Night Fighter Training. Bob may have gone to Panama City, Florida, for gunnery training at Tyndall Army Airfield. Tyndall had a unique gunnery range; gun turrets were mounted on the back end of jeeps and drivers drove these jeeps around a racetrack while gunners shot at targets along the way. While in training, Bob was assigned to an aircrew with whom they trained together. Bob was sent to England, then followed the front across France into Germany after D-Day.
From all of this, Bob told me this one story. To understand the story, you have to understand the P-61 Black Widow. From where Bob sat, there was no way to move forward towards the pilot and radar operator. Bob was, in effect, alone in the back of the airplane. There was a chair with radio equipment against the bulkhead and nothing but clear Plexiglass above, to the side of, and aft of Bob. In short, it must have seemed like a magic carpet ride, except for Bob, who was looking off the back end of the carpet. Bob had drifted off... they were night fighters... remember? Sleep was always an issue, and this was a non-combat flight; Bob was just along for the ride. The pilot pulled the aircraft up in a sharp climb leaving Bob, in the back, to stare, suddenly awake, at the ground receding below him. I can only imagine what went through Bob's brain; he thought he was going to fall out...
After the war, Bob married Jean, a native of Washington, D. C. Bob brought his bride to Alexandria where she earned many stories to tell about small town life. Initially, they were neighbors of another young couple, Kermit and Annabelle Anderson. Later, Bob and Jean would move to and move various homes in town while raising a family.
I miss Bob and Jean. Bob and I never talked much, but we always acknowledged each other as brothers-in-arms. I just believe that is how Bob was. He did allow me to borrow his prized squadron book, which I relished reading with pride.
Robert Fisher is but one of Alexandria and St. Albans many, many heroes, all of whom have their stories to tell. Some we call the Greatest Generation; to others we say, "Welcome home." Maple Grove Cemetery holds the bodies of our men and women who fought for our freedom. One day, it will hold mine. Sadly, I can only share so many stories either of my own or on behalf of others. If you have a Vet, the Library of Congress has an Oral History Project. Just saying for a friend. http://www.loc.gov/vets/
Welcome home. Thank you for your service. Semper Fi Mac.
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