Letters From War Wednesday: World War II – Bob Gage.

I’ve still got Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
on my mind, after just finishing the book yesterday. Louis Zamperini began his stint in the Pacific with the 307th Bomb Group. B-24 bomber pilot, Lt. Bob Gage, also served in the 307th BG.

Time again for Letters From War Wednesday. This early July 1944 note home comes only days after Gage’s crew downed three enemy Zeros on a run over Yap Island.

Lt. Bob Gage - 307th Bomb Group

“We are still in the Admiralty Islands,” he wrote.

“…I’m still well and healthy and have nothing to complain about except the heat and the chow.

“…Our Bombardment Group here recently received a Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding achievement in aerial combat.  Quite an honor, I guess.

“I hope to see Sydney, Australia, in a few days.  I have always wanted to see people driving on the wrong side of the road.  Legally, I mean.

“I sure could use a little rest leave now.  We are not permitted to tell how many missions we’ve flown or how many hours, but I’ve sure piled up a bunch of them so far.  I’m still slugging my way through this weather out here and my gunners have sent four sures and two probables of Nip fighters to see their ancestors.

“Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and do I wish I was back there so I could shoot up all of the kid brothers’ firecrackers.”

On October 3, 1944, Lt. Gage and his crew left Kornasoren Airfield on Noemfoor Island for their most difficult run to date.  The target was the refinery at Balikpapan, Borneo.  Sadly, Lt. Gage’s bomber was lost shortly after completing their bomb run.  There were no survivors.  Lt. Gage not only left behind a wife, Geraldine, but also an infant son, Bob, who he never got the chance to meet.