These four “Fs” were a part of every mission for members of the Eighth Air Force according to Major John “Lucky” Luckadoo. Major Luckadoo, a 101-year-old WWII veteran and Eighth Air Force B-17 pilot, recently spoke to a rapt crowd of 300 on Sea Island about his wartime experiences. Major Luckadoo grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and joined the Army after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941. A flying cadet at age 19; training at 20; a combat veteran at 21, Major Luckadoo was home by the time he was 22. Between June and October 1943, he served with the Eighth Air Force 100th Bombardment Group based in Thorpe Abbotts, England, flying B-17 “Flying Fortresses” over France and Germany. The unit became known as the "Bloody 100th," because of its high casualty rate. Major Luckadoo both witnessed and cheated death. Aptly nicknamed “Lucky,” he is now the last surviving member of the 100th, having piloted his plane successfully through Luftwaffe machine-gun fire and antiaircraft flak in subzero temperatures for 25 missions, where the average bomber crew flew 8-12.
Award-winning New York Times bestselling author Kevin Maurer shared Major Luckadoo’s story in Damn Lucky: One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History. Described as “an epic, thrillingly written, utterly immersive account of a very lucky, incredible survivor of the war in the skies to defeat Hitler,” Damn Lucky, is available for purchase locally at Righton Books, both in the store and on their website. Major Luckadoo is the very embodiment of the Greatest Generation, answering the call to serve and sacrifice at the time of our country’s greatest need. How fortunate we are that he is still able to share his experiences with us and keep that part of the nation’s history vivid in our memory.
Major Luckadoo’s visit was sponsored by the National Museum of the Eighth Air Force, a group that has its own compelling story. “The Mighty Eighth” flew more than 600,000 sorties in paving the way for Operation Overlord, D-Day, June 6, 1944. In earning its moniker, the “Mighty Eighth” paid a heavy price in carrying out its mission which resulted in the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe.
Although more and more nations found themselves involved in World War II, the United States showed little appetite to engage in combat. That stance changed overnight with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Within eight weeks, the U.S. Eighth Air Force was activated in Savannah, Georgia. Begun with a modest cadre of officers and enlisted men, the Eighth grew to unprecedented numbers: 350,000 personnel and thousands of planes; air power unimaginable in its time and never again equaled.
Lucky with his plane
The air warfare that was introduced on a large scale during WWII played a significant role in the war’s outcome both in Europe and the Pacific. While the air forces of other nations used their planes for tactical support of ground forces, the Americans and British were keen on air power for strategic purposes. In theory, four-engine bombers massed in combat formation with the benefit of some fighter plane cover could deplete the enemy’s ability to wage war by targeting factories, munitions centers, marshaling yards and submarine pens.
Leadership called it high-altitude, daylight precision bombing. This unproven airwar doctrine of the U.S. Army Air Corps at the time of our country’s entry into WWII was predicated on the Norden bombsight, a gyroscopically stabilized analog computer that determined the exact moment to drop bombs from a moving aircraft on a target from some 25,000 feet in the air. Second only to the Manhattan Project in terms of secrecy, the Norden bombsight was installed in B-17 “Flying Fortresses” and B-24 “Liberators” to enable bomber crews to drop their payloads on elements of the German war-making machine with pinpoint accuracy. In practice, however, neither flying in tight formation to protect the vulnerable crews nor the precision of the Norden bombsight proved accurate. Bombs regularly missed their targets, sometimes by miles; while the casualties of the Eighth Air Force were staggering. 26,000 Eighth Air Force airmen were killed (more than any other unit in WWII); 28,000 were interned in German POW camps.
The Eighth Air Force was arrayed on 40 bomber bases and 15 fighter bases across England’s East Anglia region, a rural area northeast of London near the English Channel and the European continent. While the Royal Air Force operated under the cover of darkness, the Eighth flew the more dangerous daylight missions. Aerial combat was some of the fiercest of the war, undertaken in otherworldly conditions. Crew members experienced fighting at an altitude of 25,000 feet, withstood temperatures of -40° F, and survived on oxygen above 10,000 feet due to unpressurized cabins. Prayers and luck accompanied the flyers on every mission.
Initially required to complete 25 missions, then 30 and ultimately 35 to be eligible to go home, airmen had one-in-three odds of hitting that first number in 1942 and 1943, when the Eighth suffered extraordinary casualties. Service as a flyer came down to finishing the requisite number of missions, being shot down and captured (though approximately 2,000 airmen evaded capture), or being killed in action. It was deadly duty, yet, ironically, most Eighth crew members were volunteers.
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Photo courtesy of NMMEAF
Restored B-17 City of Savannah at the Mighty Eight Air Force Museum
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Photo courtesy of NMMESF
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
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Because we cannot visit battlefields in the sky, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, located in Pooler, Georgia, just miles from the Eighth Air Force’s original location, is the keeper of the history of our nation’s most storied air force. Its lessons in duty, honor, courage, and sacrifice are preserved and shared in artifacts, exhibits and education programs. We thank Museum President & CEO Scott Loehr for his assistance with the information about the Mighty Eighth. The museum’s mantra is “They Saved the World; We Save Their Stories.” Just like our gratitude for Major Luckadoo and other veterans, we cannot thank them enough.
Photo courtesy of NMMEAF
Flags for the Fallen
This year marks the National Museumof the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s third annualFlags for the Fallen public program. From May26-29, the museum’s Memorial Garden willbe awash in 26,000 48-star U.S. flags. Eachflag represents an Eighth airman killed inservice to his country in World War II.
Honoring Our Veterans
There are several ways you can express your gratitude and show your support for our local veterans in May. Here are a few suggestions:
Golden Isles Veterans Village & Nine Line Foundation Heroes Golf Tournament
On Friday, May 12, the Jekyll Island Golf Club will host the Golden Isles Veterans Village & Nine Line Foundation Heroes Golf Tournament with all proceeds, including donations and sponsorships, going to Golden Isles Veterans Village. This village of 30 tiny homes and community center designed to provide supportive housing and a community for homeless veterans is currently under construction at the corner of G. Street and MLK Jr. Blvd. in Brunswick and needs additional support financial and volunteer support from the community to reach completion. Your participation in the golf tournament would provide welcome funds. Registration for each 4-person team is $600; individuals $150; and hole sponsors $200. Other levels of sponsorship are also available. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. with shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. For more information, contact Regina Wages at events@ninelinefoundation.org or 912.461.1249. Register and pay online at goldenislesveteransvillage.org.
Coastal Georgia Honor Flight
On Saturday, May 13, Coastal Georgia Honor Flight will honor local veterans with a private, chartered flight to Washington D.C. where they can visit the national monuments dedicated to the conflicts and branches of the military in which they served. Volunteers may still be needed for assistance with that flight. Community members of all ages are also invited to come out to the Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport the evening of the flight’s return on May 13 to welcome home our veterans with patriotic signs and fanfare. This is our way of giving them the warm and ceremonious welcome they may never have received during their time of service. Monetary donations are also needed for these flights because every veteran who wants to participate is given the opportunity free of charge. Please visit coastalgeorgiahonorflight.org for more detailed information, volunteer and giving opportunities. Watch their Facebook page and the Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport page for additional information about the timing of Coastal Georgia Honor Flight’s return the evening of May 13.
St. Simons Rotary TAPS at Twilight Memorial Day Commemoration
Here on St. Simons Island, we honor the men and women who have fallen in service of our country, those who valiantly served and returned, and those who serve today at the annual St. Simons Rotary TAPS at Twilight program on Memorial Day. This tradition, begun in 1991 and presented by the St. Simons Rotary will continue Monday, May 29, at Neptune Park. Patriotic music will be performed by The Golden Isles Community Band from the St. Simons Casino bandstand beginning at 5:45 p.m. The program will commence promptly at 6:45 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets as seating is not provided. This year’s guest speaker will be Vice Admiral Al Konetzni (Ret.) former commodore, Submarine Squadron 16. The floral wreath presentation will be by St. Simons Rotarian West Point graduate, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dick James. There will be an honor guard presentation, bagpipe music by Scott Townley, patriotic music includes anthems for each branch of service and the National Anthem. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of Taps. Visit the St. Simons Rotary website for more details at ssirotary.org.
St. Simons Rotary appreciates the help of Glynn County Parks & Recreation Department, the Glynn County Police Department, and the many others throughout the Golden Isles whose support make this community event possible. Please come out to TAPS at Twilight to gather as a community and pay our respects to those courageous souls, like Major Luckadoo, who have served our country so valiantly.
