Four Short Stories...

World War TwoAviation History
Written By John Slemp

It's not often that one gets to hear "war stories," directly from the men who were there.  Many times the memories are too painful to re-live, or they really don't want to draw attention to themselves, for lots of reasons.

In September, 2015 I traveled to Hendersonville, North Carolina to attend a local chapter meeting of the 8th Air Force Historical Society.  While there I made a presentation on my "bomber jacket" project, photographed several jackets, and interviewed six WWII 8th Air Force veterans.

Four of their stories are presented here, in their own words.  They speak for themselves...

Bob Grosso was a B-24 Navigator...

Bob Grosso was a B-24 Navigator...

Bob Grosso - We Were Lucky...
John Slemp
Dudley Brown was a Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on a B-17 bomber...

Dudley Brown was a Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on a B-17 bomber...

Dudley Brown...An Experience I'll Always Remember...
John Slemp
Larry Goldstein was a B-17 radio operator...

Larry Goldstein was a B-17 radio operator...

Larry Goldstein - We Arrived at Night...
John Slemp
Lewis Herron was a B-17 tail gunner...

Lewis Herron was a B-17 tail gunner...

Lewis Herron - When You See Pictures of Flak...
John Slemp

All content ©2015 John Slemp

John Slemp

John’s 30 year career has seen him create images for a wide variety of advertising, corporate, and editorial clients worldwide.

After almost 11 years in the US Army, John attended Atlanta’s Portfolio Center, and later assisted established commercial photographers for five years.

Oscar winners, Olympic champions, astronauts, musicians, artists, pilots, veterans and regular people have all been captured by John’s lenses.

An experienced, innovative, and award winning commercial photographer, he deftly brings studio techniques to location work.

John is increasingly involved in showcasing his work through galleries and museums, and is currently writing a book about WWII “bomber jackets.”

Past clients include: The Company of Others and Innis Maggiore ad agencies, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Epps Aviation, Goodyear Aviation Tires, EAA’s Sport Aviation magazine, General Aviation News, Smithsonian Air & Space magazine, Jet Support Services International, Avfuel, The Lindbergh Foundation, and Women in Aviation International.

A long-time member of the American Society of Media Photographers, John served 5 years on the national board, and twice as the Atlanta/SE chapter president.

http://www.johnslemp.com
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