Comments:
My Grandfather, Kevin McCracken, was in Port Moresby serving as a waist gunner and radio operator on B17's and B24's, 43rd BG - 64th squadron. He named and painted the nose art on their new B24 - the Microbe-Hunter, but it was then assigned to another crew and crashed on take-off killing all aboard. Some of his crew members were Cptn Ross (Pilot), Lt. Masters (Copilot), Kurdilla, Hayes, and Pappert. My grandfather passed away a few years ago. If anyone has any remembrances of him or info they could share regarding the crew, the Microbe-Hunter or other planes he flew, please send me an email. Thanks!
My Grandfather, Kevin McCracken, was in Port Moresby serving as a waist gunner and radio operator on B17's and B24's, 43rd BG - 64th squadron. He named and painted the nose art on their new B24 - the Microbe-Hunter, but it was then assigned to another crew and crashed on take-off killing all aboard. Some of his crew members were Cptn Ross (Pilot), Lt. Masters (Copilot), Kurdilla, Hayes, and Pappert. My grandfather passed away a few years ago. If anyone has any remembrances of him or info they could share regarding the crew, the Microbe-Hunter or other planes he flew, please send me an email. Thanks!
Added: October 3, 2007
Name: Pete Minix
From: Indio, CA
E-mail: Contact
I have been collecting and documenting the history of our World War II Veterans since 1998. I currently have over 200 veterans from all branches and ranks, in my “private library”. I have always been interested in World War II and what better way to learn this is to talk to the men and women who lived it. It is my way of keeping their memories and stories alive.
For every World War II Veteran we loose, a piece of history is gone forever. I believe that it should be told to someone who is willing to take the time to document their story.
For the men and women, who served during World War II, they all have a great story to tell, whether they were in combat or sitting behind a desk. They answered the call to duty in a time when more the half the world was at war.
When it is my time to pass on, all this information will be placed in the General Patton Museum in Chiriaco Summit, CA so that future generations will know what these men and women went through. One day, all of our Veterans from World War II, will have passed on and so will their stories.
Peter Minix
Former Marine Sgt.
Indio, CA