Karl Samuels, CFC

I have stayed in touch with several of the crew members from time to time. Karl Samuels, CFC gunner, and I were the best of buddies. It is a wonder that he and I didn't get into a lot of trouble but we managed to just squeeze by. Karl retired from the Louisiana. National Guard a few years ago as a full Bird Colonel and lives in Lousiana. We had a good time everywhere we went.

I ran into Gin Wong, Radar Bombadier/Navigator, several years ago through Karl and have seen him several times since, both at a reunion and when he came through Orlando, Florida. Gin lives in Beverly Hills, CA and is a world reknown architect.

I was told that several of the others were dead but I decided to find out for myself. Through the miracle of the Internet, I found Chester Brannon, Flight Engineer, alive and well at 80, three years ago, retired as a school teacher.

I found Stanley Zwail now living in San Diego, CA near his son and he was a retired fisherman, I believe. Met him again at the reunion in Las Vegas.

Ralph D. Gahl the Aircraft Commander retired from the Air Force as a full Bird Colonel. He was at the Orlando AFB for several years but I didn't know it. He is still alive but I haven's seen or talked to him.

Max Gumbert, Co-pilot was alive a year ago but in bad health. Think I will call him and see how he is doing.

Morris Brooking, Bombadier, lived in Orlando, Florida until his death just a little over a year ago. I met him and talked to him over the phone several times.

Francis Hatkevich passed away several years ago. I never did establish contact with him.

Vincent Scro

As for Vincent A. Scro, the Navigator, I don't know anything about him Can't seem to find any trail of him. Maybe he will see the pictures and get in touch or maybe someone will see his picture and call him if he is still alive.

As with Vincent, I know nothing of James M. Kehoe, Blister gunner. Perhaps someone will also recognize him and let us know what happened to him.

That leaves only me, Jim Meeks, Radio operator. Alive and in very good health.

I would like to thank Jim Meeks for sharing his story and his photos with us. He has sent me a 19 page story of the Invasion of Japan, which I hope to get up and running soon. You can email Jim here. --- Sallyann