My Memorial Day Salute
My Memorial Day Salute. This is not the day to say "thank-you for your Service." If somebody says that to you, tell them that this is the day we honor those that gave all for our country in combat.
For my Memorial Day Salute, I will describe the last minutes of the life of 2nd Lt. Norris R. Houser; 10th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group (60th TCG) killed in action on the night of July 21/22, 1944, when his C-47 was shot down by a German fighter aircraft just as it arrived over its pinpoint destination in Yugoslavia to airdrop supplies to Tito’s Partisans. I wish I had a picture of 2nd Lt. Norris R. Houser; maybe a relative will step forward after reading this? I want to make sure the memory of 2nd Lt. Norris R. Houser is not forgotten. He was not put in for any award, his name is not known; except maybe to his family. Please read this amazing account of his bravery.
The plane burst into flames when the gas tank was hit and crashed nose first into the ground. Miraculously, the co-pilot 2nd Lt. Pinkney C. Largent, Jr. was able to bail out and was the only member of the crew saved. Killed along with 2nd Lt. Houser were 2nd Lt. Alfred E. Guenthner (Navigator), S/Sgt. James G. Warren (Crew Chief) and Sgt. Dick J. Tschantz (Radio Operator). On August 21, 1944, 2nd Lt. Pinkney C. Largent Jr. returned to the 60th TCG and told the story of his miraculous survival from certain death and the bravery of 2nd Lt. Norris R. Houser:
“On the night of July 21, 1944 while making a mission over Yugoslavia we were attacked by an enemy night fighter that set our plane, a C-47 on fire and caused the death of four brave Americans.”
“We arrived over target and saw the flare path and a plane on the ground so Lt. Houser the 1st pilot started to let down. We receive no reply to our air to ground signal but we could see a plane on the ground using its landing lights to taxi so we thought everything was ok and continued to letdown.”
“Then the fires along the flare path started going out and the ground personnel fired a yellow flare which was to mean “field under attack.” Houser started to give the plane full throttle and we started to climb out. As I turned to put the cowl flaps on rerail there were several explosions on the left side of the plane. I could see the left wing was on fire and blazing furiously. The left engine had lost its power and Houser was holding rudder and aileron against its drag. Houser turned to me and said “bail out.” I turned to the crew in the back and hollered “bail out” – and then Houser yelled it to them.”
“The whole right wing went in flames – the sides of the cabin seemed to be pressing in on us from the blast effect of the igniting fumes. Houser turned to me and ordered “get the hell out of here!” I left my seat and went to the luggage compartment, got my pack and snapped it on. I started towards the rear – I could see the navigator standing by his stool and he had his chute on, someone else was groping around in the rear, evidently to get his chute on.”
“I looked back for Houser – the small escape hatch directly behind the pilot was gone, and blazing gasoline was whirling into the cockpit. I couldn’t see Houser, but he was still at the controls – being burned alive – still there – fighting gallantly against the impossible trying to keep the plane under control so that his crew could escape that blazing exploding hell that was searing human lungs and turning metal into water.”
“I looked back to Gunther, who was still standing by the compartment door. Then there was a violent explosion and the plane gave a terrific lurch. I found myself in the rear of the plane – amid exploding ammunition and dripping metal. I saw a hole in the side of the plane evidently caused by an exploding cannon shell. The blazing gasoline was swirling in the open door and breathing was impossible. I closed my eyes and dived for the hole.”
“I reached for my ripcord – but it wasn’t there – in desperation I clawed at the pack and tore it open. I found that later in the smoke and confusion I had snapped the pack on upside down. As the chute opened I looked for the plane – I saw it just as it hit. It plowed into the trees spewing flaming gasoline in all directions. Then I hit.”
“Later that night I found friendly Partisans and was taken to the American and British who controlled the strip and with whom I stayed with until the 6th of August when I was evacuated. Why I was the only one to escape that flaming inferno I’ll never know. Why the navigator, with his chute on, didn’t get out and what happened to the radio operator and crew chief I don’t know. Because everybody, except the pilot had plenty of time. Perhaps the explosions’ stunned the others or they were overcome by flames.”
I learned about 2nd Lt. Norris R. Houser while researching and writing my next book: “leading the Way to Victory” A History of the 60th Troop Carrier Group 1940 - 1945; which I hope to publish later this year. Never forget.
#USAAF #C47 #airforce #WWII #militaryhistory #Army
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