Ten men got together at Cochocton, Ohio to reminisce about the past. The year was 1982; ten of the original air and ground crew were there to renew friendships made long ago. Missing were Billy Pratt and Jacob Witbrodt, both deceased and Winston Smalling who was in Africa. Dalvin Dolovan was the organizer of the four day event.

At their last reunion in June 1995, the years had taken its toll on the crew. Harvey Hoth, Leonard Hawkins and William Harter would join their crew mates. As their numbers diminish, the meetings become more important.

Ending It with A Bang

Dal wondered if they'd see each other when they went back to the states. Ellegood was firm about going to the University of Oklahoma. Dal knew he wouldn't go there. He'd seen U.C.L.A. and fallen in love with the campus and the weather. But U.C.L.A. was iffy. Enrolling there would mean leaving his elderly grandparents - the people two raised him and if something happened he'd be over two thousand miles away. So Ohio State was a more likely option.

"Donovan, are you awake?" The intercom message from his airplane commander overrode Miss Holiday and jarred him out of the daydream. Dal switched back to intercom and answered, '"Yes Sir. We're right on course. Our E.T.A. is 2300 hours.

The Piledriver started a slow descent and an hour from base leveled off at five thousand feet. Occasionally the big bird took a small bump from a cumulus top that got in its way but otherwise it was like gliding on ice. A phenomenal aircraft, only once were they forced to come back on two engines but this splendid machine was easily up to the task. Thanks not only to the people who designed and built it but also to John Sapuder, John Downey and the rest of the ground crew who took exceptional pains with the maintenance. As much as Dal hated killing people, even an enemy who wouldn't hesitate to do the same to him - he would miss the flying. And even more, miss the friends he would remember a lifetime.