Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Bill McGlynn Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps
- Unit of Service: 8th Air Force
- Location of Service: England
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/959
A brief newspaper clipping and 19 photographs are eloquent testimony to the war service of teenager Bill McGlynn. At 17, he quit high school in his hometown of Utica, New York, to join the Army Air Corps. It was 1943, and the outcome of the war against Germany was still not known. McGlynn wound up in the exceptionally dangerous position of gunner on a B-17 bomber flying missions over Germany. In March 1945 his plane was downed by enemy fire right into the midst of the battle zone. McGlynn survived the crash landing and with the help of French partisans, managed to elude the Germans, who were at that stage of the war in no mood to take prisoners.
More Resources
About this Item
Title
- Bill McGlynn Collection
Names
- McGlynn, Bill
Home State
- New York (State)
Headings
- - McGlynn, Bill
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army Air Forces/Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps
- Unit of Service: 8th Air Force
- Location of Service: England
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran was a Belly Gunner on a B-17.
Materials
- Manuscript: Correspondence [1 item] -- (collected 2002-03-26)
- Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- (collected unknown)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [19 items] -- Photograph (collected 1945)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/959
Cite as
- Bill McGlynn Collection (AFC/2001/001/959), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image