"The first occurred shortly after the Normandy invasion and our relocation to an airstrip 10 miles from the front line at St. Lo France. We were enroute to another dive bomb and strafing target and were directed too close to Caen where I had nearly bought the farm on an earlier occasion.

Suddenly it hit the fan again - heavy flak all around, like you could walk on it. I tried to lead the 16 aircraft safely through it by changing direction and altitude, normally turning into the flak. Wing men were switching sides, left to right wings, flights were scattered. It looked more like a gaggle than a squadron formation. For those few minutes, which seemed like an eternity, I had no idea who was on my left wing or my right. Suddenly the aircraft on my right wing suffered a direct hit and blew up within a few feet of me. Because of radio silence, I was unable to ascertain who it was a the time.

We proceeded to our target, accomplished our mission and returned to our Normandy airstrip with the remaining 15 aircraft. It turned out to be Wilbur Vinson, a true prince of a man. he was one of the very few who was married, had a child and owned his own business. I believe he came from Montgomery, Alabama. Wilbur had done so much for the squadron - contributing in many ways beyond flying that he had endeared himself to everyone. Though all losses are tragic, this one hit me particularly hard and was one I shall never forget and can see so clearly to this day."

Some years later, while in Panama City, Florida, I was asked to make a radio address on Memorial Day, 1950. Wilbur's loss was so vivid in my mind that, along with a good friend Mrs. Jimmie Vaught, I developed the following around that unfortunate experience.

"I am Wilbur Vinson. It is on this July day in the year 1944, that I depart my earthly life and enter into eternity. I am flying one of 16 P-47 thunderbolt fighters. Our forces have gained the Normandy beachhead and we are to divebomb and strafe in direct support of our ground troops who are pushing forward. We are approaching Caen, France -- about 10 miles from the beachhead. We have flown over here several times before -the opposition has always been heavy. In fact more so than any other place on the beach. But today the ground fire is terrific. The air is black with explosive shells. Fiery tracer bullets are all around. The other planes in the squadron are all over the sky, trying to keep from being hit. They seem almost frantic. I have never seen them act like this before. The clusters of ground fire come closer to me with each burst. My plane has been hit I, have no control over it. The cockpit is like a flaming furnace. I can't get out of it.

Suddenly I realize that this is my last mission. A calm comes over me. Many thought pass by. I know the reason I am going as have so many others. So that my family and my country may continue a life founded on the principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity. I know that those left behind will not stop until those principles are guaranteed. I am consoled by Jesus' words, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." I hear one of the songs I learned as a child, "Onward Christian Soldiers", and I see the cross of Jesus going on before.

At this point I have no fear of death for I believe in the Almighty and I know that Jesus died for my sins. According to Jesus' word, I am departing this life in peace. I am thankful that my parents taught me to believe for that gave me a real peace of mind and a knowledge that some day I would have everlasting life. I have honored my father and mother as God has commanded me and I have tried to keep the other commandments.

I am passing through the door that leads to light - A place where there is no war, but eternal peace. There shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying and neither shall there be any more pain. I am with friends here. We all join together in beseeching you to insure lives of security for the loved ones we left behind. And to continue to struggle for a free and democratic way of life regardless of the cost. We know that life is not so dear as to want it at the price of chains and slavery.