Art Kramer

ART KRAMER'S WWII STORIES

He went down on this mornings mission. He won't be back.

When Paul, Bob and I arrived at the 344th we were assigned to the 494th squadron and given separate quarters along the squadron street. I entered mine and dumped my stuff on the one empty bunk there. I unpacked my B-4 bag, hung up my uniforms and put stuff on the shelf including personal photographs and shaving stuff. Then I went to the officers mess where I was supposed to meet Bob and Paul for evening chow. Bob showed up. We waited for Paul then decided to go ahead knowing he would be along soon, It took quite a while. When he showed up he was white as a ghost and obviously shaken. Bob and I looked at each other and finally asked Paul what happened. Paul just shook his head, obviously quite sad and unhappy. He then told us the story of what had happened when he entered his quarters. When he went in there were 4 bunks, but all were neatly made up with clothes, foot lockers and personal effects such as photographs of family. Paul thought he was in the wrong place since there were no empty bunks. Just as he was leaving one of the guys in there said, "C'mon back Lieutenant, you are in right place." Paul said that there were no empty bumks. The guy said "That one over there is yours. The guy who was sleeping there went down on this mornings mission. He won't be back. The Padre and the Officer of the guard will be here soon to collect his stuff. You can have his bunk as soon as it is cleared out." We understood Paul's sadness. We were sad too. We flew our first mission the next morning, but never, to this day ever forgot that bunk that wasn't cleared out.

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