A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II (63 page)

WASP Marjorie Ketcham at Romulus Army Air Base, Michigan.

Sam “Blackie” Blackford alongside his ball turret, at Kimbolton Army Air Station, England.

The 379th commander, Col. Maurice Preston.

“Ecky” Eckenrode follows Dick Pechout through the enlisted mess at Kimbolton.

A briefing before a mission over Europe.

The 1939 college yearbook photo of 2nd Lt. Walter Reichold.

A B-17F prepares to take off.

Flak explodes amid B-17s along the “road to the Reich.”

A bomber’s gunner grips his .50 caliber machine gun.

Eight FW-190s, like this, attacked “the Pub” on December 20, 1943.

John D. Shaw’s painting “A Higher Call” depicts the December 20 encounter.

Col. James Thompson, 2nd Lt. Bob Harper (standing on right), 2nd Lt. Dale Killion.

The Brown crew with replacements at Kimbolton, spring 1944. Front, L to R: Paige, Miller, Blackie, Doc, and Frenchy. Rear, L to R: Liddle, Charlie, Andy, and Pinky.