Nicole Andrews submitted this photo and note: “This is my grandfather Carl Matousek, here age 21, from Lime Ridge, Wisconsin. He was awarded the Air Medal for flying over 100 hours of bombardment missions with the 10th Air Force in Burma. An armor-gunner on a B-25, he had 36 missions.”
Nicole adds: “I am not sure if this plane was the one in his missions or not. He passed away 11 years ago and I miss him like crazy.”
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My Dad’s old guard unit flew O-47’s and O-38’s, pre-war, based at Philadelphia Muni (now the intl’ airport) and they were activated in March 1941. Ended up as an A-10 unit out at Willow Grove NAS. I believe the museum at Forbes Field has one in their collection. I’d be curious to know where your grandfather ran across this example.
Hi, Nicole-
I can understand why you are so proud of your grandfather, a member of the greatest generation. So young, answering the call of duty, so far away, knowing that each flight could be the last. It is good to see your tribute to him, shared on this platform, and we all are thankful for his service.
The B25 Mitchell, was a successful twin engine medium bomber, that served in all theaters of WWII, and beyond. Here is some information.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_B-25_Mitchell
Your father, like my father, have probably ‘gone-west’ with most all WWII veterans. These photos are important… to remember these fellas going to far-foreign war theater as fresh-young men… and returning as old-young men. Thank You for his service!
Please advise: what bomber squadron(s)?
NOTE, RE the China-Burma-India theater of war. By definition, he likely participated in VERY long-range-butt-busting missions… over some of the harshest and most unforgiving land. Aside from being directly shot-down, mechanical failures and battle damage often resulted in loss of aircraft and crew… often disappearing into the landscape. This was a tough war front for aviators.
This is a North American O-47 observation plane. Would have three crew. Pilot, observer, rear gunner. obsolete by the War, used for training though. Greatest generation.